My 2 cents on the Andy/Ben debate: Both are deserving, but I would give the award to Andy, although I think Ben will probably get it. I love Groundhog Day and didn't really have any reaction to DEH. I liked it enough, but didn't connect to it. As mentioned by others, Groundhog Day is the stronger book/lyrics/music, as DEH write themselves into a corner and then abruptly end the show.
I think Andy is giving a subtle, nuanced performance, that's more than just acting like a jerk and landing the jokes. Especially from "One Day" on you see how being stuck in one dark day forever has sent him on a downward spiral and forced to access emotion he hadn't previously. Ben is very committed to his character and his tics, illness, etc and I related to his social issues, but that was all. It wasn't that he didn't show emotion, I just was't moved by it and I wanted to be.
Full disclosure: Maybe I need to see DEH again to connect to it. I had to see Groundhog Day twice before I really saw the layers. But I blame the terrible audience around me for ruining the first viewing.
Updated On: 5/5/17 at 03:15 AM