Photo by Joan Marcus

Bill Murray's performance as egotistical TV weatherman Phil Connors is so iconic on film, how could anyone truly make this role their own in the medium of musical theatre? Enter three-time Tony nominee Andy Karl, who recently picked up his first Olivier Award for originating the role in London's world premiere production at the Old Vic. Karl could be considered Broadway's Superman, having sustained a knee injury on stage during previews and battled his way, in spite of this, through opening night and the gruelling schedule. Karl is to be commended for his guts and his talent in equal measure. To refer to Groundhog Day as a "One Man Show" would be disrespectful to this wondrous ensemble, many of whom get their moment to shine, but the pace of the show depends greatly on its leading man. As scenes (inevitably) repeat themselves, it is Karl who magnetically draws the audience's gaze to his varied reactions of déjà vu. His all-consuming charisma makes us care about the character's journey, even though he is initially an a**hole.

The creative team behind Groundhog Day include many of those genius minds that conjured up the musical theatre spectacle that was Matilda - including director Matthew Warchus, composer/lyricist Tim Minchin, and designer Rob Howell. Once again, these men have taken a very popular piece of source material and created something organically theatrical from it. The staging of Groundhog Day uses a plethora of beautifully executed theatre tricks to move the narrative along. I don't wish to spoil every secret here, but my personal highlights of the show include an onstage car chase and a montage of Phil trying to end his own life in every imaginable way. In fact, I had a rare moment of ecstasy which doesn't happen all that often, when I suddenly feel so grateful for being able to receive the gift of theatre. One segment of the show - revolving around a fairground ride - was so magically crafted that I felt quite overcome. The twirling carts went into slow-motion during a musical interlude and coupled with Hugh Vanstone's lighting effect behind, the creation was theatre at its utmost best.

Tim Minchin is known for jam-packing his melodies with as much tongue-twisting, vocabulary as humanly possible. He doesn't disappoint here either. Case in point would be the musical number "Stuck" where various "Healers" try to "cure" Phil with every traditional and new age type of medication you could think of. It's pure comedy genius, stuffed into a song, and brought to life for your enjoyment. I look forward to Mr. Minchin's next musical venture with great anticipation.

My hat also goes off to choreographer Peter Darling and co-choreographer Ellen Kane, who took on the mammoth task of herding the ensemble through repeated scenes and variations of choreography that will seem familiar to the audience, yet not quite identical. The blocking of this musical must have been a logistical nightmare and somehow they have pulled it off like a rousing, recurring dream!

All in all, Groundhog Day is simply a show you'll want to see again... and again... and again... and again!

Click here for tickets to Groundhog Day for performances through to January 7, 2018 at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre.

- by Tom Millward