For anyone who was reading this blog in 2016, you’ll perhaps remember that the show I absolutely adored that year was Groundhog Day and no one was more surprised than me. I wasn’t a huge fan of the film. Perhaps I was a bit too young when I first saw it, I don’t know, but it’s never been one I’ve returned to much and when it was announced that it was being turned in to a musical, I had very little interest in seeing it. That changed when I realised the creative team was Matthew Warchus and Tim Minchin, fresh from the wonderful adaptation of Matilda.
I was still sceptical, but when I left the Old Vic in July 2016 after my first visit to Punxatawney, I was shocked by how much I loved it. I went on to see it four times during that brief run and saw it again during it’s all too short Broadway run (what were you thinking NYC?!) and have been hoping it’d return to where it started ever since, although I admit I wasn’t sure if I could imagine seeing another lead actor other than Andy Karl.
So, it made my year when not only was the show’s return to its original home of the Old Vic confirmed, but that Andy Karl would be reprising his Olivier Award-winning role as Phil Connors! I’ve yet to write about the show during this new run and what better day to do so than the day that marks 7 years since my first trip to the show in 2016! Fast forward to 2023 and still with 5 weeks to go of the current run, I’ve already seen it many times (okay, okay, it’s 10 times…..so far…), so I think I’m fairly qualified to offer my thoughts on it!
For the few not familiar with the story, Groundhog Day introduces us to prickly weatherman Phil Connors, who is facing his fourth year reporting from the small Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney on 2nd February, or Groundhog Day as it’s better known, when local groundhog Phil supposedly predicts whether it’ll be an early spring or not. It’s a gig he sees as beneath him, in a town he loathes and the sooner the day is over and he can return to civilisation, the better. So, you can imagine his horror when the alarm goes off the following morning and it’s still Groundhog Day and the same happens the following morning and the one after (you get the picture).
What follows over the course of the show, through Danny Rubin’s adaptation of his own film script, alongside Minchin’s musical contribution, is Phil’s journey of personal growth and discovery and that’s what makes it such a special experience. Yes, it’s very funny and with music and lyrics from Tim Minchin, it’s also smart and witty, but there’s much more emotional depth to it than you perhaps expect and the reason for that is how Phil learns to look at, not just himself, but also the townspeople around him on his never-ending day, differently.
Phil is not a likeable character at the beginning. His behaviour may make you laugh, because he is always, as Rita says, funny-ish, but he is also rude, arrogant, sexist, misogynistic and shallow. Not the best combination of personal qualities and it’s no surprise his colleagues don’t have a high opinion of him, as has been conveyed to his producer for the day, Rita. Yet, the magic of the show is that you watch Phil learn that the worst thing about his repeating day is himself and that if he can learn to become a better man, he might be a happier and more fulfilled person, even if he never escapes this small town.
As I said 7 years ago, the heart of the show is Andy Karl. If you don’t connect to Phil, it just doesn’t work. He has to be unlikeable, but not completely unforgivable and Karl’s performance perfectly captures all of Phil’s worst qualities, while still giving the audience enough reasons to root for him. As the show progresses, I find myself not just rooting for Phil, but really becoming charmed by him and invested in his journey to becoming the best possible person he can be. It takes a special kind of actor to pull this type of performance off and we’re so lucky Andy Karl is back for this second London run.
It’s truly a huge acting undertaking and he makes it seem effortless, whether belting out songs like “Hope”, weaving in and out of the townspeople with the wonderful choreography from Lizzi Gee that dazzles throughout, brining so much comedy through just his expressions, or making the transition in Act 2 to where we start to see that Phil Connors really does have a heart and how lost he feels after what must now be years repeating the same 24 hours.
The first half is fun, but it’s the emotional heart of the second half that truly makes me love Groundhog Day, as Phil gives us all a bit more hope that if we keep trying to be better and see the good in the everyday around us, then maybe things will be okay. Andy Karl truly is dazzling from beginning to end and now, even more so than in 2016, I truly can’t imagine anyone else in this role.
Groundhog Day isn’t all about Phil Connors though and another strength of this returning run of the show is that a superb cast that has been assembled.
Tanisha Spring takes on the role of Rita, the despairing producer, who has to put up with Phil and who without realising it, helps him to see the positives of his perceived nightmare existence and helps him want to become a better person. She’s brilliant and now my favourite of the three lead actresses I’ve seen play the part. The biggest reason for this is her vocals. She really does have a superb singing voice and crucially for this show, is able to take on the rapid pace lyrical gymnastics that Minchin has written and also match Karl’s vocal in their duets. Certainly for me, this is the best I’ve ever heard “If I Had My Time Again” and that’s down to Spring (and the changes made to that song and staging). She’s also a wonderful actress and has fantastic chemistry with Karl, which is essential for the relationship between Phil and Rita to work and develop.
The new run has reduced the number of residents of Punxsutawney and merged a few roles from the last run (there used to be a couple staying at the B&B, a marching band couple and a girl who longs to be able to sing are now all encompassed by two characters, for example), but that doesn’t lessen the ensemble and perhaps actually helps the audience connect more deeply with these townspeople, having fewer people on the stage to watch go about their lives, as we watch them repeat their day and their interactions with Phil and the whole cast are brilliant at bringing the town to life. By the end it really is a place and community I’d want to be a part of.
There’s Fred and Debbie who are just adorable (and Billy Nevers and Kamilla Fernandes both have fantastic voices), the sweet B&B owner, Ralph and Gus from the bar (Nick Hayes and Chris Jenkins crack me up every time) and so many others, each playing their part in making the community ultimately so special to Phil and to the audience. I must also give a special mention to Aimee Fisher, who plays various smaller roles normally, but also understudies both Rita and Nancy and I’ve now seen her in all 3 roles and she’s fantastic in every one. I’ve nothing but admiration for alternates and covers, who help ensure the show can go on.
Plus, in a show where Phil is so central, it’s a testament to the story structure, that two of my favourite musical numbers are songs sang by supporting characters, namely “Nancy” by Eve Norris, which opens Act 2 with an unexpected tonal shift that puts you on notice that this show isn’t going to be predictable and “Night Will Come”, which gives us greater insight in to insurance salesman Ned. Both songs are beautifully crafted and add emotional depth to the story being told by adding colour to the people in this small town so, just like Phil, we start to appreciate them all more and I was thrilled to see Andrew Langtree who played Ned in London in 2016 back for this run. He brings a lump to my throat every time with a song that reminds us all that life may sometimes be hard, or heart-breaking, but that it’s also precious.
In terms of staging, the main change to Rob Howell’s set is the removal of the revolve, which I did initially miss, but having seen this version a number of times now, I don’t really notice it’s absence anymore and I can understand why removing it has made everyone’s life a bit easier. The only time I really felt it might be missed for those that saw the previous runs was during a song involving a car chase. It still works, but I did feel that the spinning revolve added a greater sense of speed and chaos, but that’s a minor grumble.
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan)
In fact, most of the changes to the show’s staging I prefer. I really love the changes to the staging of “If I Had My Time Again”, which has become one of the most joyful musical numbers for me now, with Phil and Rita sharing the same fairground ride and the added colour through the balloons and lights, combined with the change in how that song ends, really suit the mood of the story at the point. It’s where we see Phil start to look at his world and those in it with fresh eyes, which is quite moving.
I also prefer the cut-down approach that has been taken to “Hope”, which used to include multiple “Phils” on stage carrying out different versions of the same act. It always felt a bit much to me and the alterations that have been made improve that number in my opinion. There is also less set in the final scenes, which works much better for me and with fewer actors on stage, as snow begins to fall in such a joyful musical theatre moment, it really adds a greater emotional impact to the close of the show.
Honestly, the worse thing about this show for me, besides the lack yet again of London merchandise (thank goodness for my Broadway visit) is that, as the final song begins, leading us towards its beautiful and emotionally satisfying and uplifting conclusion, I already want to start again and relive the journey! And so we find me here, on July 20th, ten visits in, already excited for my next trip. It really is that special and I urge you all to try and see it before it ends on the 19th August. Chances are I’ll see you there!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Groundhog Day continues its run at the Old Vic Theatre in London until 19th August 2023. There are still tickets available for most dates and I have noticed that a day or two before they tend to lower the price bands, so you could pick up a bargain. Tickets can be booked here: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/groundhog-day/
Vickster51’s Culture Corner 