New Groundhog Day musical is still Broadway-bound
According to the New York Times, producers of the new musical adaptation of the 1993 hit film Groundhog Day, which recently opened to rave reviews at London's Old Vic Theatre, still have their sights set on a Broadway transfer. However, the previously announced Broadway dates are no longer confirmed. The musical was to officially open on the Great White Way at a yet-to-be-confirmed theatre on 9 March 2017, following previews from 23 January 2017.
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The new musical underwent changes in the producing team when Scott Rubin withdrew from the project. The London production is co-produced by The Old Vic with André Ptaszynski for Whistle Pig and Lia Vollack for Columbia Live Stage, who issued a statement saying:
"The intention is for Groundhog Day to go to New York after the world premiere at The Old Vic in London. The show is being produced on Broadway by Whistle Pig and Columbia Live Stage. Additional information will be announced at a later date."Four of the creators of the West End and Broadwy hit Matilda have reunited for the project. These include director Matthew Warchus, composer and lyricist Tim Minchin, choreographer Peter Darling, and designer Rob Howell. They team up with original screenplay co-writer Danny Rubin to bring Groundhog Day to the stage.
Synopsis: "Groundhog Day is the story of Phil Connors, an arrogant Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, when sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, finds himself caught in a time loop where he is forced to repeat the same day again and again... and again."
The 1993 film, with a screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, based on a story by Rubin, and directed by Ramis, starred Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott. Released by Columbia Pictures, it was one of the top grossing films of 1993.
The London production will play its final performance on 17 September 2016. The London cast features two-time Tony nominee Andy Karl as Phil Connors and Carlyss Peer as Rita Hanson, alongside 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, Jenny O'Leary, Leanne Pinder, Mark Pollard, Damien Poole, Jack Shalloo, Andrew Spillett and Spencer Stafford.
Casting and exact dates for the Broadway production will be announced at a later date.
Andy Karl in Groundhog DayOriginally published on