Ashleigh Rubenach as Lorraine Banes in BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical
Growing up between beach days and backyard musicals in Mona Vale, Ashleigh Rubenach has come a long way from performing for patient neighbours — all the way to the bright lights of Back to the Future: The Musical. Now starring as the unforgettable Lorraine Baines, Ashleigh brings heart, humour and a nostalgic spark to a role beloved by generations. We sat down with this Northern Beaches local to chat about family, creativity, mum relatability and the magic behind one of the world’s most iconic stories.
You’re playing Marty McFly’s mum, Lorraine — such an iconic character! How did you approach bringing your own spin to a role that audiences already know and love from the movie?
Lea Thompson’s iconic portrayal in the movie gave me plenty to work with (and left very big shoes to fill!). I think any actor naturally brings their own flavour to a character, and I think my Lorraine has elements of me – certainly my clumsiness and silly sense of humour. Beyond that I’m just having so much fun in the show and I think that translates to a joy-filled performance.
Back to the Future is such a nostalgic story for so many families. What do you think makes this musical resonate with both parents who grew up with the film and kids discovering it for the first time?
Back To The Future is the PERFECT family musical – plenty for adults to reminisce and giggle about, and so much for younger audience members to discover. It’s the film we know and love, with throwback 80s and 50s flair, plus 2025 technology to bring it all to the stage!
The show is known for its huge energy and amazing stage effects. What’s been the most exciting or challenging part of performing in such a fast-paced, technically dazzling production?
BTTF is the most technical show I have ever been a part of! It’s so exciting to be in amongst all of the mind-blowing effects, but even more exciting to hear the reactions from the audience. I can hear them from all the way at the back of the stage!
Lorraine is funny, romantic and a little chaotic at times. What do you enjoy most about stepping into her shoes every night?
I adore playing Lorraine. You’re spot on – she’s a little cheeky, but she leads entirely with her heart and throws herself into things 100%. It’s so much fun to get to do comedy, it’s been a while since I’ve been silly on stage! Playing Lorraine is like living out the teen movies I used to watch growing up (including Back To The Future, of course!).
You’ve had such a vibrant career in musical theatre. What first sparked your love of performing?
I grew up in Mona Vale, so I’m a Northern Beaches girl through and through! In between days at the beach, my next-door-neighbour, Stephen Madsen, and I would make up plays and musicals in our backyards (and perform them for our very patient families). Both of us went on to be actors.
You have such a stunning voice and stage presence. Where did you train, and how did that training help shape you into the performer you are today?
Thank you! I started dancing at Dynamite Performing Arts in Newport from when I was in primary school at Mona Vale Public and continued all the way through to graduating from Manly Selective High School. I also got really involved in community theatre (I did a heap of shows with Chatswood Musical Society) and signed up for everything I could at school – the yearly musical, Rock Eisteddfod, Schools Spectacular, anything on offer! After that, I studied a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre at WAAPA which really helped to train me for the professional industry and be ready to start auditioning for shows! I’m a huge advocate for training – the more experience you can give yourself on the stage, the more comfortable you will be.
Many mums will relate to Lorraine’s warmth, humour and heart. What do you hope mothers in the audience take away from your portrayal of her?
I hope mums get a good laugh out of the first version of Lorraine, and maybe feel a little seen by her – loving her family but feeling simultaneously exhausted by their shenanigans! I also hope mums get to enjoy the ride of us rediscovering Lorraine as her young, bold, vibrant self and the way she pursues that spark to ultimately craft a new future for herself. Lorraine gets her happy ending and her fairytale moment!
If you could hop in a DeLorean yourself, what time or place would you love to visit, and why?
I would go back in time (the future is none of my business!) and meet my great-grandmother, Nancy. My Nanna and Mum often say that I remind them of her. She was an incredibly creative seamstress! I’d love to hang out and sew with her.
For young people dreaming of a life on stage, what’s one piece of advice you’d share about pursuing a career in musical theatre
If you love it, go for it! Give yourself every opportunity to perform and cultivate the special sauce you bring to your performance. People often say your superpower is that there is only one you, and it’s true. I’ll see you up on the stage soon!
https://backtothefuturemusical.com.au/