When “Back to the Future: The Musical” arrives in Madison in a few weeks, audiences will see Cartreze Tucker step into not one but two dynamic roles. A veteran of multiple national tours, Tucker brings high-voltage rock energy to the stage, along with a thoughtful perspective on representation and the future of the arts. Speaking from Baltimore ahead of an evening performance, Tucker reflected on his journey, his aspirations and the advice he would give his younger self.

Could you start by giving us some background on who you are and your past experience?

Sure. I’ve been doing this show for two years now. I’m originally from Atlanta. This is my fourth national tour. I’ve done “Hair,” “Motown the Musical,” “The Color Purple,” and now “Back to the Future.” I’m a Libra. I’ve performed in Madison before with “The Color Purple” at the Overture Center.

Do you have any memories of Madison?

We were only there for a short time, and it snowed. I remember it snowing, and I remember loving the theater. It’s gorgeous. We were probably there in 2019, but I don’t even know what I did 20 minutes ago, let alone four or five years ago. But the theater — it’s gorgeous. That’s what I do remember.

Tell me about your role. Who do you play?

I play two roles. I’m the diner worker and future Mayor Goldie Wilson. Then in the second act, I play Marvin Berry, the bandleader of the Starlighters and Chuck Berry’s cousin. They’re vastly different, and it’s a lot of fun. I’m having a blast.

How are they different?

Goldie is optimistic, very sure of himself, very positive, more grounded. Marvin Berry I fashioned a little after Little Richard. He’s zany, flamboyant, loud, boisterous. They’re very easy to separate because their energies are so different.

I have a potentially controversial question. I’m Gen X, and “Back to the Future” is very significant for my generation. How does it feel to portray something so iconic to Gen X?

It’s very lovely that you think I’m Gen Z, but I’m actually a millennial. I’m 34.

You look younger in your promo photos.

I’ll take that. But no, I love “Back to the Future.” I watched it a lot as a child, especially the second one. I’m from Atlanta, and Florida is about a seven-hour drive, so we’d go to Universal during family vacations. I remember riding the “Back to the Future” ride. I was very familiar with the IP and its place in the cultural zeitgeist of American cinema and pop culture.

Did you ever imagine you’d be in it?

Absolutely not. The funny part is, I do a tour called “Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock and Roll” as my survival gig. One of the actors saw “Back to the Future” in London and said there was a part perfect for me, the mayor. My reply was, “There are Black people in ‘Back to the Future?’” I did not see myself in that show at all until my friend told me that. After that, I was determined to get in the room and audition. He was correct.

How long have you been with the tour, and how long will you stay?

We started rehearsals in May 2024, and the tour ends in July. Two years will be in June. My contract runs through the very end, so I’ll be there until closing.

Your bio says you have a son named Buckley. Does he tour with you?

I love this. Buckley is my dog. He’s a 5-year-old Aussiedoodle named after the Broadway diva Betty Buckley. He toured with me our first year for about 10 or 11 months. He was at the theater every day in my dressing room. He was our morale mascot. He knew when intermission was and would go greet everyone. He’s at home in New York City now because we have a lot of one-week stops, and it’s tedious to travel with him.

As a queer publication, I’d love your thoughts on what’s happening nationally with the arts, including concerns about the Kennedy Center and defunding.

It’s very concerning, especially for artists. The arts are being actively defunded, and we’re unsure what the future of our profession might hold. Our show is supposed to go to the Kennedy Center in July, and we’re unsure if that will happen. This is our livelihood. If we don’t work, we don’t get paid. If we don’t get paid, you don’t eat. It’s very troublesome. Day to day at the theater, we try not to let it affect the show. But privately, it’s something we talk about. It’s very pressing.

Does your partner travel with you?

Absolutely not. He’s at home with our dog. He’s a web developer. We don’t date artists. I stopped dating artists at 25. I said we both can’t be broke. One of us has to have money.

What’s on your list of roles you’d like to do in the next 10 years?

I want something new written for me. I’ve been telling my songwriter friends to write something where I get to sing pretty, cry, make people laugh and fall in love. I want a Black queer romance experience where I get to feel all the human emotions. There is one role I really want to play: Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” That’s been a dream for a long time. Once I do that, I can retire as a tenor.

If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self, what would you say?

If I told middle school me, who was bullied for being a little effeminate, a little chubby and a little dorky, that I’d be touring the country performing, I think he’d be in awe. I’d probably say, “Keep going. You’re on the right path. Your life is so much bigger and grander than you could even anticipate.”

Do you have a show tonight?

Of course. We have eight shows a week. We’re in Baltimore this week. Sometimes I don’t know where I am. You get on a bus, get on a plane and wake up somewhere else. But yes, we have a show tonight at 8 p.m.

Have a great performance. We’ll see you at the beautiful Overture Center in Madison soon.

Awesome. Thank you.