Groundhog Day tells the story of Phil Connors (Andy Karl), a disgruntled big-city weatherman mysteriously stuck in small-town America reliving the same day over and over and over again. But when he gets to know associate TV producer Rita (Barrett Doss), he discovers that a day of second, third and fourth chances just might bring him the promise of a lifetime. It's a classic boy meets girl... boy meets girl... boy meets girl story.
Based on the iconic film, Groundhog Day is re-imagined by the award-winning creators of the international hit Matilda The Musical- including director Matthew Warchus and songwriter Tim Minchin- with a book by original screenwriter Danny Rubin. Starring two-time Tony Award nominee Andy Karl, Groundhog Day is the new musical comedy about living life to the fullest, one day at a time.
Coming off of a well-received run in London at the Old Vic, Groundhog Day - with a book by the original film's screenwriter Danny Rubin, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin (Matilda the Musical), and direction by Matthew Warchus (also Matilda as well as The Norman Conquests and God of Carnage) - doesn't mess too much with that set-up. Why would anyone bother? It's jeweler precise after all. Instead, it gooses up the familiar with dazzling energy, creativity, wit, and heart. Besides Karl, much of the credit goes to the playful stage design and illusions by Rob Howell with Paul Kieve, and the whirling-dervish choreography of Peter Darling with Ellen Kane. At times, Groundhog Day feels more like a plate-spinning magic trick than a Broadway musical.
It would be nice to report that, despite these travails, the show, with a book by Danny Rubin, who co-wrote the 1993 movie, and a score by Tim Minchin, of 'Matilda' renown, deserves the plaudits it has already received in London, including an Olivier Award for best musical and another for Karl as leading actor. But I'm afraid the production, simultaneously frenetic and static, left me just about as glum as its protagonist is at curtain rise. Life would be grim indeed if I had to wake up and face this tedious, charm-free and often tasteless show again day after day.
2016 | West End |
World Premiere Production West End |
2017 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2023 | West End |
West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Andy Karl |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Andy Karl |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Broadway of Off-Broadway Musical | Groundhog Day |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Andy Karl |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Danny Rubin |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Matthew Warchus |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Groundhog Day |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Tim Minchin |
2017 | Theatre World Awards | Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performance | Barrett Doss |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Danny Rubin |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Ellen Kane |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Matthew Warchus |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Groundhog Day The Musical |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Tim Minchin |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Andy Karl |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Rob Howell |
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