Groundhog Day is a musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Danny Rubin. It is based on the 1993 film of the same name, directed by Harold Ramis and written by Ramis and Rubin.
It tells the story of Phil Connors, an arrogant Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again.
The musical made its world premiere at The Old Vic in London in summer 2016 and was nominated for eight Laurence Olivier Awards in 2017, winning for Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Andy Karl; it later opened on Broadway in 2017, and was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Karl.
Background The musical is based on the 1993 film Groundhog Day. The film itself starred Bill Murray as Phil Connors and Andie MacDowell as Rita Hanson and was produced on a budget of $14.6 million, earning over $70 million in domestic box office receipts. In 2006 it was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." It was voted at number 8 in the top ten greatest films in the fantasy genre by the American Film Institute in 2006.
In August 2003, Stephen Sondheim, when asked what his next project might be, said that he was interested in the idea of a musical adaption of Groundhog Day. However, in a 2008 live chat, he said that "to make a musical of Groundhog Day would be to gild the lily. It cannot be improved." In 2009, during an interview with MTV News, Harold Ramis revealed that Danny Rubin was working on the book for a musical version of the film. Rubin affirmed he had been working on a concept of a Groundhog Day musical for some time, and already had about 12 song ideas (whittled down from 30) along with dialog, scenes, and other production aspects. Around 2012, Rubin had become stuck and felt it impossible he could make the musical happen as he believed he could not progress without the collaboration of a composer. Shortly after reaching this conclusion, Rubin was called by director Matthew Warchus to introduce him to Tim Minchin, who had just finished writing the songs for Matilda the Musical. Rubin felt Minchin's work in Matilda proved he "can write songs that are funny and moving and smart and beautiful," and the three started working on adapting Rubin's book.
The trio formally announced their partnership towards the musical in January 2014. A workshop was held in London on 12 July, and Minchin performed an early version of a song from the show; "Seeing You", during his concerts at KOKO (December 2013 along with "Night Will Come"), Hyde Park (July 2014), the steps at Sydney Opera House (February 2015).
On 2 April 2015, the musical was officially confirmed and it was announced that the show would receive its Broadway premiere in March 2017. It was later announced the musical would make its world premiere during 2016 at The Old Vic theatre in London, as part of director Matthew Warchus' debut season as artistic director of the theatre.
The musical has a book by Danny Rubin, based on his original story, and the screenplay co-written with Harold Ramis, and is directed by Matthew Warchus, with choreography by Peter Darling and Ellen Kane and design by Rob Howell. The show features an original score and lyrics by Australian comedian and lyricist Tim Minchin. The production reunites most of the creative team behind the 2010 musical Matilda.
Speaking about the musical, director Warchus said that it's "a show full of intellect, integrity and wit, insight, humor—and of course romance." Minchin, who wrote the music and lyrics for the adaptation, added, "Our version of Groundhog Day is going to be both instantly recognisable, and utterly different" and that "The central conceit is perfectly suited to the theatre... it has the potential to be complex, dark, visually fascinating, and thematically rich, whilst still being a joyous romantic comedy with cool tunes and lots of gags."
Synopsis Act I Phil Connors, an arrogant TV weatherman, is dreading his trip to Punxsutawney, PA to report on the annual Groundhog Day Ceremony, believing it is beneath him. As his weather van arrives in town, the people of Punxsutawney are hoping that the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, will not see his shadow, signifying an end to winter and the start of spring ("There Will Be Sun"). The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February full of scorn for everything and everyone he encounters on his way to Gobbler's Knob where the annual ceremony takes place. When he arrives on location he meets up with cameraman Larry and his new producer Rita before the groundhog's forecast of six more weeks of winter. While Phil and Rita eat lunch at a diner, Larry packs the van preparing for their departure, and the sheriff enters and tells them that a bad snowstorm has closed every road out of town, keeping them from leaving. Rita makes an entry in her journal before the Groundhog Day banquet and the townspeople remain ever hopeful for the coming spring ("Day One").
The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February and confusedly relives his morning over again, including a run-in with obnoxious high school classmate Ned Ryerson. Phil begrudgingly reports on the ceremony with the same result as the day before, and Rita enjoys the festivities after commenting in her journal about Phil's odd behavior ("Day Two"). The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February and fearing a mental breakdown ("Day Three"), consults every doctor and healer in town, none of whom is medically qualified, and all of whom suggest a variety of unusual remedies ("Stuck"). Phil decides to self-medicate at the bar instead, and finds camaraderie with two drunks who are stuck in a rut and feel that life is repetitive. The trio takes advantage of not having a future and drive recklessly on train tracks, evading the police before they are eventually caught and Phil is arrested ("Nobody Cares").
The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February with a newfound joy as he openly treats others terribly, does as he pleases, and uses his repeated days to meet and reintroduce himself to Nancy Taylor, a local woman that he eventually manages to sleep with ("Philandering"). After settling into a hedonistic groove, Phil sets his sights on Rita, determined to sleep with her. He spends several days trying to manufacture her perfect date, and grows more manic as he invariably keeps failing. With success never in sight, Phil wonders why he couldn't repeat a better day, Rita wonders if she'll ever find someone she could love, and the townspeople wonder if they will ever do all the things they've been putting off, waiting for an idealized future ("One Day").
Act II Nancy contemplates her behaviour patterns and how she presents herself ("Playing Nancy"). Phil arrives at Gobbler's Knob for his broadcast and interrupts his report to shoot Punxsutawney Phil and then himself. The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February and exhausts every way to kill himself, vowing not to give up that he will one day successfully commit suicide and or escape from the time loop ("Hope"). Phil returns to the diner and with nothing to lose, tells Rita what is happening, proving his claims by spouting off facts about the townspeople, predicting their actions, and finally telling Rita things he has learned about her ("Everything About You"). Intrigued, Rita spends the day with Phil, learning various things he's done about town and theorizing what she would do in his shoes ("If I Had My Time Again"). That evening, Rita goes to the bed and breakfast Phil is staying in to see what happens when his day starts over, but falls asleep in his room before she can find out ("Everything About You (Reprise)").
The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February, alone again and decides to engage with the townspeople and better himself, even learning to play the piano ("Philosopher"). Phil learns that Ned's wife has died, and later that evening, he finds a homeless man dead in the park, which he spends several days trying to prevent before accepting that some things are inevitable ("Night Will Come"). On a new Groundhog Day, Phil delivers a surprisingly profound broadcast before running about town all day helping townspeople ("Philanthropy"). Rita arrives at the banquet and overhears everyone in town raving about what Phil has done for them that day, only to discover he is also playing in the band ("Punxsutawney Rock"). In a bachelor auction, Rita buys a dance with Phil and kisses him, both feeling that they are only just learning what the other is like ("Seeing You"). The next morning, Phil wakes to find Rita still in his room and a fresh layer of snow covering the ground outside. Though overjoyed at finally being able to leave, Phil agrees to spend the day with Rita. They start their day with watching the sun rise in Punxsutawney on 3 February ("Dawn").
Musical numbers
Act I "Overture" – Orchestra "There Will Be Sun" – Company "Day One" – Phil, Rita and company "Day Two" – Phil, Rita and company "Day Three" – Phil and company "Stuck" – Phil and healers "Nobody Cares" – Gus, Ralph, Phil and company "Philandering" – Company "One Day" – Rita, Phil and company
Act II "Entr'acte" – Orchestra "Playing Nancy" – Nancy "Hope" – Phil and company "Everything About You" – Phil "If I Had My Time Again" – Rita, Phil and company "Everything About You (Reprise)" – Phil "Philosopher" – Phil and company "Night Will Come" – Ned "Philanthropy" – Phil and company "Punxsutawney Rock" – Piano teacher and company "Seeing You" – Phil, Rita and company "Dawn" – Company
Orchestration London (2016) - 11 musiciansBroadway (2017) - 12 musicians Reed 1: Flute, Alto Sax, Baritone Sax Reed 2: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax Reed 1: Piccolo, Flute, Alto Sax, Baritone Sax Reed 2: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax Trumpet 1 (doubling Flugelhorn and piccolo trumpet) Trumpet 2 (doubling cornet and flugelhorn) Trombone (doubling Euphonium and bass trombone) Trumpet 1 (doubling Flugelhorn) Trumpet 2 (doubling Cornet) Trombone (tenor and bass doubling Euphonium) Drum Kit/Percussion Drum and cajon Acoustic guitar 1 (doubling electric guitar) Acoustic guitar 2 (doubling electric bass) Electric bass (doubling upright bass) Guitar 1 (lead - acoustic and electric) Acoustic Guitar 2 (doubling Violin) Acoustic Guitar 3 (doubling Cello) Bass (acoustic and electric) 2 Keyboards 2 Keyboards Original Broadway cast recording The original Broadway cast album was recorded in March 2017 and was released digitally on 21 April and in stores 5 May 2017. The album is available from Broadway / Masterworks and is produced by Chris Nightingale, Michael Croiter and Tim Minchin. The songs "Hope", "If I Had My Time Again" and "Seeing You" were released prematurely to download for iTunes, Amazon.com and Spotify.
Production history World premiere: London (2016) The musical made its world premiere at The Old Vic in London as part of Matthew Warchus' first season as artistic director. It was scheduled to begin previews on 11 July 2016 (however initial previews were cancelled due to technical issues until 16 July with 15 July being an open final dress rehearsal), with its official opening night coming on 16 August, booking for a limited period until 17 September 2016, with an extra performance added on 19 September 2016. Andy Karl made his London debut starring the lead role of Phil Connors with Carlyss Peer as Rita and Eugene McCoy as Larry.
The production was nominated for 8 Laurence Olivier Awards. On 9 April 2017, it won the Olivier Awards for Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Musical for Andy Karl.
Broadway (2017)