Groundhog Day: Screen to Stage in Stitches

That’s right wood-chuck chuckers! Let’s talk about the new show settling into Melbourne’s Princess Theatre.

Based on the 1993 movie, Groundhog Day has hit its third city following its run in London in 2016 and New York in 2017, and Melburnians should certainly be counting themselves lucky! With a book by Danny Rubin and music and lyrics by Australian Tim Minchin, you come to expect a good laugh, and boy do they deliver. Packed with wit, intelligence, and a whole lot of heart, this might just be the perfect movie musical adaptation.

The curtain rises on cocky weatherman Phil Connors (Andy Karl) being sent to Punxsutawney, a prideful small town home to the infamous Groundhog Day. On February 2nd, the locals gather to see whether “Punxsutawney Phil” (the groundhog himself) will forecast an early spring or six more weeks of winter. It doesn’t take a genius to think this celebration is a little bit odd, and Connors certainly isn’t one to hide his disdain for the event. So when he wakes up the next morning, and the next, and the next, to the same day, we’re taken on the hilarious and moving journey he embarks upon to end the cycle once and for all.

Elise McCann shimmers as Rita Hanson, Connors’ associate producer and love interest over his Groundhog Days. McCann’s vocals are beautiful, and she more than holds her own beside Karl who’s played his role seven years longer than she has. Brilliant at infusing comedy into her otherwise astute character, she seems to be having the time of her life (particularly in “If I Had My Time Again”) on the Princess Theatre stage and invites everyone else to join her.

Andy Karl as Phil Connors is nothing short of phenomenal, reprising the role that he originated on the West End and carried onto Broadway. Among all of the discourse about keeping our talent local, Karl’s exceptional characterisation and skill leaves a certainty in our minds that nobody could play the sardonic television personality like him. Rarely offstage, Karl reels us through every human emotion and brings audiences to their feet at the end.

This production takes every opportunity to highlight its phenomenal ensemble, with audiences learning more about each character alongside Phil the longer he’s stuck in Punxsutawney. Rebuilding Groundhog Day over and over again with unwavering enthusiasm, this cast brims with spirit and expertise, waving flags, dancing the same routine repeatedly and even using puppetry to playfully act out an intense car chase. 

Notable moments from the cast include Connor Sweeney and Conor Neylon as Ralph and Gus, the town drunks utterly detached from reality who are priceless as they sing of their woes in “Nobody Cares”. Alongside them, Ashleigh Rubenach surprises audiences with her unexpected number “Playing Nancy”, illuminating Nancy’s tribulations as the town’s “perky-breasted giggly one night stand” and prompting them to root for her happier ending too. The only downside to this is that she’s hardly seen afterward, challenging the relevance of the song in the show. Finally, Tim Wright is the epitome of the sweet small-town local Ned Ryerson, Phil’s old schoolmate who mobilises the story arc with “Night Will Come”.

It’s difficult to find any issues with Groundhog Day, as it does brilliantly at keeping audiences engrossed the whole way through. Perhaps the only issue is the transitions between songs being so seamless that, particularly in Act One, they feel somewhat indistinguishable. In saying this, it means that all of that first act is packed with power and nonstop fun!

Whether you love the movie, hate it, or have never seen it, Groundhog Day The Musical creates its own podium to stand upon and is guaranteed to win you over. Prompting laughter, applause, and a deeper consideration of how to use the time that you have, Groundhog Day shifts from a fantasy comedy to a feel-good reflection of humanity. With a few themes not recommended for the little ones (including the riotous “Hope”, where Phil attempts suicide over a few of his Groundhog Days), this might not be one for the kids until they’re in their teens, but they’ll love it when they’re ready. We couldn’t recommend this one more, and once it’s gone it’s gone!

Groundhog Day is currently running at The Princess Theatre until the 7th of April!

Find out more at their website: Groundhog Day Australia

This review is based upon the performance of Groundhog Day on the 8th of February, 2024.

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