Al Roker, best known for his weather forecasting on Today, recently made a surprise appearance as a Broadway star in Back to the Future: The Musical at New York City’s Winter Garden Theatre. His cameo as Principal Strickland delighted the audience and marked a memorable one-night performance for the television personality.
Embracing the role of Principal Strickland, originally portrayed by James Tolkan in the film, Roker fully immersed himself in the character’s traits. He humorously acknowledged his resemblance to Strickland and expressed his enthusiasm for playing the obnoxious and loudmouthed character.
The Today Show documented Roker’s journey as he prepared for his role in the musical, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the process. Despite feeling nervous on stage, Roker praised the cast and crew for their support and kindness, particularly highlighting his excitement to share a scene with Roger Bart, who plays Doc Brown.
Roker’s wife, Deborah Roberts, shared a sweet tribute to him on social media, celebrating his performance and expressing pride in his accomplishment. His colleagues from the 3rd Hour of Today, Dylan Dreyer and Sheinelle Jones, also joined in the praise, commending Roker for his stellar performance and describing how he captivated the audience with his cameo appearance.
Overall, Roker’s unexpected cameo in Back to the Future: The Musical was a delightful moment for both him and the audience, showcasing his versatility and talent beyond his usual weather forecasting duties on Today.