Have you ever felt like you're stuck in a loop of the same thing, over and over? If so, the Melbourne production of Groundhog Day: The Musical might just be for you.
Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a loop of the same thing, over and over? If so, the Melbourne production of Groundhog Day: The Musical might just be for you.
Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a loop of the same thing, over and over? If so, the Melbourne production of Groundhog Day: The Musical might just… alright, you get the picture.
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For over 30 years, the Bill Murray-led meta-comedy has entertained audiences around the world as one of the most clever, original and idiosyncratic funny films of all time. What you may not know, however, is that since 2016 it’s also served as a stage musical – co-created by the film’s original writer Danny Rubin with Australia’s own Tim Minchin.’
Next month, curtains go up for its first-ever Australian production at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre – and we’re here to give you the low-down on the whole thing, including a chat with Danny Rubin himself about how the whole thing came together.
So, what’s the story behind Groundhog Day?
For those who have never seen the original film, our story revolves around Phill Connors. He’s a TV weatherman, working in Pittsburgh, that’s sent out on an assignment one day that will ultimately change his life.
He’s set to cover some festivities around the American holiday known as Groundhog Day – so called because of the superstition that if a groundhog emerges from the ground on this day and sees its shadow, there will be another four weeks of winter.
A celebratory ceremony is held each year in the town of Punxsutawney, some 90 minutes out of Pittsburgh – which Phil himself cannot stand. He assures viewers that a blizzard is not going to hit the city, all while grumbling about being around the hicks of Punxsutawney.
When he wakes up the next day, however, something is not right… before long, he realises he is reliving the exact same day he just experienced. How did he wind up in this time-loop… and, more importantly, how will he get out of it?
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Why did Groundhog Day become a musical?
According to Danny Rubin, who wrote the original screenplay of Groundhog Day, he had always wanted to make a musical. He was originally reticent, however, about returning to the well of his piece de resistance as its source material.
“I didn’t want to exploit the film,” he told Beat in a recent interview. “From the day it came out, the studio asked if I was going to work on a sequel and I immediately told them no – which cemented my status in Hollywood as someone who wasn’t interested in business as usual.
“I’d heard Stephen Sondheim was interested in working on it as a musical, and I was interested in working with him, but that ultimately didn’t work out. Every year or so, a new batch of people would turn up with ideas about it and none of them ended up panning out.
“All I knew was that I need a composer to flesh out these thoughts and sketches in my head and turn them into songs, as I couldn’t do this thing on my own. Within a week of having that revelation, [director] Matthew Warchus called me up and told me that he and Tim Minchin wanted to work on it with me – and that’s what wound up happening.”
Rubin was a fan of Minchin’s Broadway work, having seen his adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl classic Matlida and praising its uniqueness.
“It had a real range of emotion, sincerity and originality that did not seem to be pandering to anyone in particular – which is rare in the modern musical,” Rubin said. “It’s the exact same when you’re in the room with Tim – every time he enters a room, you’re just in for a carnival ride of great ideas and excitement.”
Minchin is a proven hit of the stage – aside from Matilda, he’s also wowed audiences in the role of Judah Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar for its 2012/2013 arena spectacular here in Australia, plus an acclaimed performance as Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.
Warchus, meanwhile, had previously worked with Minchin on Matilda and has a longstanding career as a director in his own right. His career highlights include the 2008 stage adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Tony-winning productions of The Norman Conquests and God of Carnage, as well as the 2014 film Pride starring Bill Nighy.
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Who is starring in Groundhog Day: The Musical in Melbourne?
Playing the role of Phil Connors, the role that Bill Murray originally made famous, is Broadway star Andy Karl. He’s no stranger to the grumpy weatherman, having played the role during the musical’s very first run at The Old Vic in London circa 2016, its Broadway run the following year and its London revival last year.
Rubin is extremely excited for Australian audiences to see Karl in action, with the former Legally Blonde and Jersey Boys star having never performed down under before.
“The man definitely has choices. He could be doing anything right now, he’s that talented,” Rubin said. “I’m so pleased that he has stuck with the show for so many years. He’s immensely satisfying to watch – singing, dancing, acting, even doing magic tricks. It’s unbelievable. There’s no one I could possibly compare him to.”
Joining Karl in treading the boards for Groundhog Day‘s Melbourne debut is Elise McCann, playing Rita Hansen, Phil’s long-suffering producer at the same TV network. Elise had previously made a name for herself in the Australian production of Matilda, starring as the beloved teacher Miss Honey.
Others in the ensemble include Afua Edjei (making her professional theatre debut), Kaya Byrne (Come From Away, Chess), Grant Almirall (Cats, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and Tim Wright (Mamma Mia!).
Rubin is keenly anticipating what the Australian cast will bring to the production, to the point where he will be visiting Melbourne for the first time in his life to see it in action.
“In every production I’ve seen, I have been blown away by how talented everyone is,” he said. “In every different role, each actor that I’ve seen come to it has totally sold it. Everyone has sung in ways that have truly melted my heart, and everybody is so funny. Every production really has its own personality, so getting to see it in Australia will be such a treat.”
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When does Groundhog Day: The Musical start in Melbourne?
When else? February 2nd – also known as, Groundhog Day!
Before its official opening, a week of preview performances will take place from Wednesday January 24th. From there, the show will run every day in February (except Mondays) and nearly all of March (except Mondays, the 29th and the 31st), with bonus matinee performances taking place on Saturdays and Sundays.
Its current closing date at the time of writing is Sunday, April 7 – meaning there is plenty of time to experience the unique and exciting musical for yourself throughout the first quarter of 2024.
For more information and tickets, visit the Groundhog Day Melbourne website here.
