Groundhog Day, a new musical about a man who must experience the same day over and over until he gets it right, opens August 16 at London's Old Vic Theatre.
Based on the popular 1993 film comedy of the same title, Groundhog Day has music and lyrics by Tim Minchin (Matilda The Musical) and book by Danny Rubin (who co-scripted the film of the same name with Harold Ramis). The show is booked for a limited run through September 17. Previews have been ongoing since July 15.
Andy Karl — who was last seen on Broadway in On the Twentieth Century, for which he was Tony-nominated, and previously played the title role in Rocky — stars as Phil Connors, a cynical Pittsburgh TV weatherman who is sent to cover the Groundhog Day event in the small town of Punxutawney, PA, where he finds himself caught in a time loop, forced to repeat the same day again and again… and again. The role was originated in the film by Bill Murray.
The musical is directed by Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus, with choreography by Peter Darling and designs by Rob Howell — the same team behind the West End and Broadway hit Matilda.
Broadway producer Scott Rudin was at one time attached to the project in the hopes that it would arrive on Broadway following its London premiere. Plans for a New York bow remain uncertain.
Critics’ reviews follow. Playbill.com will continue to update.
The cast also features Carlyss Peer as Rita Hanson, joined by an ensemble cast that comprises Leo Andrew, David Birch, Ste Clough, Roger Dipper, Georgina Hagen, Kieran Jae, Julie Jupp, Andrew Langtree, Vicki Lee Taylor, Emma Lindars, Antonio Magro, Carolyn Maitland, Kirsty Malpass, Lisa Mathieson, Eugene McCoy, Jenny O’Leary, Leanne Pinder, Mark Pollard, Damien Poole, Jack Shalloo, Andrew Spillett and Spencer Stafford.
Illusions are by Paul Kieve, with orchestrations and additional music by Christopher Nightingale, additional movement by Finn Caldwell, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and video by Andrzej Goulding.
To book tickets contact the box office on 0844 871 7628 or visit oldvictheatre.com.
