GROUNDHOG DAY Will Return to The Old Vic

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 3:51pm

They teased an announcement coming tomorrow:

https://twitter.com/oldvictheatre/status/1599644742769319937

Updated On: 12/5/22 at 03:51 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 4:26pm

Interesting. Wonder why? 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 4:30pm

Wow, what an amazing month it's been for Tim Minchin!

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 4:39pm

Oh I will be seeing this. One of my favorite shows of the past 15 years. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 4:43pm

Looks like Tim Minchin had already let the cat out of the bag a few months ago:

https://stagechat.co.uk/news/west-end/28466-groundhog-day-musical-set-to-return-to-london-for-a-limited-run.html

[Kitsune]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 10:09pm

The Times UK posted a story with more info. Behind a paywall, but some interesting points:

-It's coming back for a "summer run"

-"Although there won’t be many changes to script or songs, Warchus plans to simplify a complicated set — five revolving stages — that led to early technical hiccups in London and New York"

-Andy Karl will be reprising his role as Phil (!!!!)

I've seen regional productions in San Francisco and Chicago, along with the Broadway version. The San Francisco production had only one truntable. The Broadway version did some stunning things with turntables, but I also think the show works just fine in a more simplistic form.

I was initially worried the show wouldn't work without Andy Karl, but thankfully the regional Phils I've seen have been fantastic and carried the show. That being said, I'm over the moon that Andy is reprising his role.

Updated On: 12/5/22 at 10:09 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 10:55pm

I was kind of hoping to see someone else take on Phil. I adore Andy Karl but I think he was miscast in Groundhog Day and Pretty Woman.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 3:26am

He won a Olivier Award for playing Phil and was Tony nominated 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 3:32am

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "He won a Olivier Award for playing Phil and was Tony nominated"

That’s wonderful for him. It doesn’t change my opinion.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 3:47am

It’s very rare in life when one an actual wish comes true - having this show return WITH Andy. I’m leaving London the day before previews start and can’t extend but I’ll be back a few weeks later and will definitely be seeing this more than once. 
 

This is one of my favorite musicals so this announcement finally being official is just incredible for me. 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 4:22am

His understudy in NYC was every bit as good as him. Andrew someone? I can’t remember

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 4:30am

Dolly80 said: "His understudy in NYC was every bit as good as him. Andrew someone? I can’t remember"

Andrew Call — the current Orin Scrivello in Off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors

[binau]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 5:01am

I still remember the drama of his injury and show schedule. Ticketmaster (or telecharge?) were so kind to swap my War Paint and Groundhog Day shows so that I could catch Andy. And Andy hilariously used his leg brace for comedic effect in the show. Live theatre is the best! 

[heathkliff]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 7:37am

Fingers crossed they sneak in filming a proshot during this run. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 8:21am

Jordan Catalano said: "It’s very rare in life when one an actual wish comes true - having this show return WITH Andy. I’m leaving London the day before previews start and can’t extend but I’ll be back a few weeks later and will definitely be seeing this more than once.


This is one of my favorite musicals so this announcement finally being official is just incredible for me."

I love when shows we love return!! So happy you’ll get to see one of your favorites again (I’d feel the same if Hair came back) 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 8:36am

RippedMan said: "Interesting. Wonder why?"

Do you ask that about every show that comes back lol

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 9:44am

hearthemsing22 said: "RippedMan said: "Interesting. Wonder why?"

Do you ask that about every show that comes back lol"

What other shows that were bombs - at least on Broadway (I loved it and saw it 3 times) come back with their original director and star? 

Don't act like this happens all the time. Just interesting Warchus is giving it another shot.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 9:52am

Will die on the hill that this was the best musical of the Hansen/Come From Away/Great Comet year. 

[dwirth]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 10:57am

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Will die on the hill that this was the best musical of the Hansen/Come From Away/Great Comet year."

I realize the show wasn't everyone's favorite - but it sure was mine - and I'd go further and say GHD was one of the best musicals.... in many different Tony years, not just 2017... So many layers... ..maybe a lyric change or two and one plot point short of perfect.

To me, it ranks right up there in "Favorite Theatergoing Experiences" with some of the greats - which I've seen and loved --in its own way...

I reread the NYT/Brantley review last night and it was positive>rave, so not the only one who thought so -  

I saw it in London... I saw it several times on Broadway... and my planned European trip next year coincides with timing and am going to consider every option to alter plans to travel to see it. (My wife just texted me while typing this and said, "I'm serious... cut Italy short and go to London to see it..."

[binau]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 11:09am

So nice for Andy that they put his name above the title

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 11:11am

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Will die on the hill that this was the best musical of the Hansen/Come From Away/Great Comet year."

AMEN. 

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 11:20am

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Will die on the hill that this was the best musical of the Hansen/Come From Away/Great Comet year."

Yup. Still baffles me how this went down the way it did on Broadway. It was soooo good.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/7/22 at 10:32am

dwirth said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "Will die on the hill that this was the best musical of the Hansen/Come From Away/Great Comet year."

I realize the show wasn't everyone's favorite - but it sure was mine - and I'd go further and say GHD was one of the best musicals.... in many different Tony years, not just 2017... So many layers... ..maybe a lyric change or two and one plot point short of perfect.

To me, it ranks right up there in "Favorite Theatergoing Experiences" with some of the greats - which I've seen and loved --in its own way...

I reread the NYT/Brantley review last night and it was positive>rave, so not the only one who thought so -

I saw it in London... I saw it several times on Broadway... and my planned European trip next year coincides with timing and am going to consider every option to alter plans to travel to see it. (My wife just texted me while typing this and said, "I'm serious... cut Italy short and go to London to see it...""

I still want to know how they did the part where...he climbs up a ladder? or something? and then appears onstage again-I think that's during the act 1 finale. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/7/22 at 10:36am

I believe that’s “Hope” you’re thinking of, early in the second act. Lots of trickery on display as Phil attempts suicide in different ways. 

Updated On: 12/7/22 at 10:36 AM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 12/7/22 at 11:20am

EDSOSLO858 said: "I believe that’s “Hope” you’re thinking of, early in the second act. Lots of trickery on display as Phil attempts suicide in different ways."

Yes-thank you!!