thoughts about groundhog day

[antoinetteperry]

Posted: 6/11/17 at 11:02pm

Hello Darlings

I truly was impressed with everything GROUNDHOG DAY did. But was not at at all shocked it did not win anything. I think that Tim is going to be more successful in the UK then here.

Updated On: 6/11/17 at 11:02 PM

[loveinnewyorkcity]

Posted: 6/12/17 at 12:04am

I saw the show two weeks ago. I really enjoyed it after the first 25 minutes. Something irked me about the beginning that I can't put my finger on. Maybe that I was unimpressed with the ensemble? I did really really like the show despite its flaws and found it to be very fresh and inventive. 

The show really rests of Andy Karl's shoulders. He's the highlight. He truly carries the entire show.

 

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 6/12/17 at 12:13am

loveinnewyorkcity said: "I saw the show two weeks ago. I really enjoyed it after the first 25 minutes. Something irked me about the beginning that I can't put my finger on. Maybe that I was unimpressed with the ensemble? I did really really like the show despite its flaws and found it to be very fresh and inventive. 

The show really rests of Andy Karl's shoulders. He's the highlight. He truly carries the entire show.

 

I absolutely love GHD, have seen it 4 times, and I think the first 25 mins is supposed to irk you in a way! You're witnessing what Phil is witnessing, the same redundant annoying alarm clock and marching band. Although I love the show and happily listen to the cast recording almost daily, there is still something innate about wanting the redundancy to stop. You're feeling how Phil is feeling! And that is part of what makes it great. 

"

 

[Comden Green]

Posted: 6/12/17 at 12:19am

 

I absolutely love GHD, have seen it 4 times, and I think the first 25 mins is supposed to irk you in a way! You're witnessing what Phil is witnessing, the same redundant annoying alarm clock and marching band. Although I love the show and happily listen to the cast recording almost daily, there is still something innate about wanting the redundancy to stop. You're feeling how Phil is feeling! And that is part of what makes it great. 

"

 

 

"

I think you are right. 

 

I loved the show too.  Lots there to think about.  Must admit I liked it better than dolly.  

[FrizzyAnya]

Posted: 6/12/17 at 9:13am

What are the odds Andy Karl will actually be there tonight?? I have tickets and really hope to see him!

[Gilly1732]

Posted: 6/12/17 at 9:19am

Well there's no announcement on the official website or on Ticketmaster (yet) so he should be on tonight. 

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 6/12/17 at 9:37am

FrizzyAnya said: "What are the odds Andy Karl will actually be there tonight?? I have tickets and really hope to see him!"

Andy is a consummate professional. I can't image he'll be out unless there is a medical issue. I

[FrizzyAnya]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 2:11pm

It was fabulous! He was so fun to watch. I went expecting to like the show (and willing to be pleased rather than overly critical) but it was actually so much better than I thought it would be. I always consider a show a success if I fall hopelessly in love with the lead by the end...and that I did. <3 <3 

(What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic.)

[vickster51]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 2:43pm

I am a huge fan of this show. I admit on hearing it was being made I was sceptical, but love Tim Minchin so was willing to give it a go, even though I really hadn't enjoyed the film when it came out. I was therefore incredibly surprised on my first visit to the Old Vic, as I ended up loving it and saw it 4 times here in London and downloaded the Broadway recording.

I've already seen it once in NYC and loved it just as much and hope it's still on when I come back in October. I am not a big musicals fan; they have to be engaging, have songs for a reason, not just to have a song and have some emotional depth that connects with me. For me, GHD has all of these and Andy Karl is truly brilliant in a role that requires so much comedy, vocal ability and emotional depth. I still think he should have won the Tony for it.

I really hope it keeps revenue up as I'd be sad to see it go. Tim Minchin has said it'll likely be back here next year, but I doubt we'll get Andy back with it! Hopefully word of mouth will keep it going in NYC for a bit, despite it not winning any awards this week.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 2:45pm

I expected to enjoy this show, and was surprised at how much I loved it. It really was so intelligent in a way that I didn't expect, and elevates the material well beyond the (great) movie. 

I wish they had done something different at the Tonys (to play up the wit and humor, since that's so much of the greatness), but I hope "Seeing You" was enough to convince people not-in-the-know that it's worth seeing. Fingers crossed that it finds its legs. 

[SuddenlySeymour3]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 5:00pm

I'd like to see this show again with Andrew Call, the understudy, to see how much Karl's absence takes away from the experience.  

*With* Andy Karl, Groundhog Day is absolutely the best show to come to Broadway since Hamilton and I recommend it as my #1 choice for anyone coming to NYC (assuming they can't get into Lin-Manuel's juggernaut). 

I knew it wouldn't pick up any Tonys though it definitely deserved BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL and BEST SET DESIGN OF MUSICAL. And I think LEADING ACTOR and BEST BOOK OF MUSICAL are toss-ups between this and DEH. 

The story is remarkable — both giddily hilarious and universally meaningful, with a lot to say about how to live our lives and the best and worst ways to respond to the stark realities of our limited existence.

The original film was impressive but this adaptation improves upon the source material by exploring the inner life of other characters beyond the main protagonist (Phil) and by giving us a female lead character (thanks to both the script and the actress) who is 10X more compelling than the movie's "blah" Andie MacDowell. 

The show has the best character development on Broadway. We the audience are in lock-step with Phil's emotional journey as he reacts to the story's high-concept predicament in believable ways while still giving us a lot of surprises. 

The direction and set design is jaw-droppingly clever, full of magic and whimsy, including layers of detail that one will appreciate even more with repeat viewings.

Tim Minchin's score and Darling/Kane's choreography are full of brilliant ideas that are entirely at the service of the remarkable story. 

No, I'm not associated with this show. But I'm a huge fan - obviously. I've seen it a couple of times and plan to see it a few more. 

Theater is frickin' expensive. But there will be no buyer's remorse with this one (provided you get an unobstructed view of the amazing staging). 

I hope this has a long run. It's an expensive enterprise, so surviving past, say, January, is far from guaranteed. I hope word of mouth improves its chances. 

 

 

Updated On: 6/13/17 at 05:00 PM

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 5:35pm

Co-signed. 

I think people are letting the fact that it's musical based on a movie stop them from giving it a chance. Or thinking it's just a comedy.

Matthew, Tim, and Danny really dug deep into the material and provided new depth to it. I particularly love what they did with the characters of Phil and Ned, essentially making Ned Phil's guide to bettering himself and seeing the world a different way. 

I feel for all them having to come back less than 24 hours after the Tonys and do the show. Yes, they're pros, but still, it must be disheartening. And yet, judging by the pictures, Andy and Tim spent a great deal of time at the stage door signing, taking pics, and talking with fans. They're good people.

Updated On: 6/13/17 at 05:35 PM

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 5:39pm

I enjoyed it.  It's a cute show, but it isn't perfect.  Karl's performance is great, however.

[SuddenlySeymour3]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 5:57pm

Yes, Andy incredibly generous with the fans. What a super-upstanding guy. 

I think you're onto something — there's a bias against comedy in theater (and film) even though comedy is much harder to do well. And this show is not just funny - it's deeply moving and thought-provoking too. And, yes, maybe people dismissed it a bit since the film is so well known. They think the show will feel like yesterday's cultural news when the piece actually builds to greater heights significantly beyond the original. 

 

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 5:59pm

I adore Groundhog Day and think that Andy Karl is giving one of the greatest performances of the decade. I too hope that the show is able to build momentum, despite falling victim to a dense Tony season. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 6:01pm

Tim unpacks how he approached the music for the show on the Good One podcast, specifically digging into Stuck:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/good-one-a-podcast-about-jokes/id1203393721?mt=2

[JamesBelsey]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 8:19pm

I totally agree with SuddenlySeymour3's points. My wife and I came over to Broadway from Australia in March and between us saw 10 shows in a week, including all the Best Musical nominees.

For me, DEH was overall the best show I saw, Groundhog Day is the one I think about the most and particularly how clever the direction and set were. We were at the 4th preview and while there were no issues with the set breaking down, it still felt a little clunky from a stage management perspective at that point (probably to be expected at a 4th preview of something so complex). It's also the soundtrack I listen to the most having returned home now.

With it being a Tim Minchin show, hopefully it will come to Australia quickly so I can see it again.

[Dave13]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 9:22pm

I saw GHD,  I enjoyed it, but I certainly didn't love it. Certainly liked DEH and CFA much more than GHD. For me, I didn't like Phil being such an a**hole. Then when he softened up, I was just not buying it. It felt like an "act", and to me he was still an a** at the end. 

I did see the movie, so I know the character. I certainly enjoyed Bill Murray's version much more. 

Updated On: 6/13/17 at 09:22 PM

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 9:30pm

Dave13 said: "I saw GHD, I saw it. I enjoyed it, but I certainly didn't love it. Certainly liked DEH and CFA much more than GHD. For me, I didn't like Phil being such an a**hole. Then when he softened up, but I was just not buying it. It felt like an "act", and to me he was still an a** at the end. 

I did see the movie, so I know the character. I certainly enjoyed Bill Murray's version much more. 

 

"

Interesting, I couldnt disagree more. Andy Karl takes the audience on a two and a half hour journey and by the end I couldnt help but root for and believe in Phil's transformation. Especially during the Night Will Come scene, thats when things starting to switch in Phil's head and his way of thinking started to change.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 9:32pm

I wanted to see it when I was in London, but couldn't get tickets.  Now, I'll just have to hope it tours.

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 9:33pm

Mister Matt said: "I wanted to see it when I was in London, but couldn't get tickets.  Now, I'll just have to hope it tours.

 

"

Tim Minchin has said that they are planning on bringing it back to the West End. Probably because it currently holds the title of Best Musical of the year

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 6/13/17 at 11:41pm

ZellMorrowsPledge said: "Dave13 said: "I saw GHD, I saw it. I enjoyed it, but I certainly didn't love it. Certainly liked DEH and CFA much more than GHD. For me, I didn't like Phil being such an a**hole. Then when he softened up, but I was just not buying it. It felt like an "act", and to me he was still an a** at the end. 

I did see the movie, so I know the character. I certainly enjoyed Bill Murray's version much more. "

Interesting, I couldnt disagree more. Andy Karl takes the audience on a two and a half hour journey and by the end I couldnt help but root for and believe in Phil's transformation. Especially during the Night Will Come scene, thats when things starting to switch in Phil's head and his way of thinking started to change."

I agree with Zell.  Particularly, since Andy Karl has an inherent likability to him, that Bill Murray doesn't, he really has to lay on the jerk to show Phil's transformation. (Of course as a fan of Andy, I'll admit I might just be projecting.)  

Another reason I prefer Andy's take is that the musical allows him to go much deeper into just how much being stuck in the time loop is affecting Phil, so the payoff at the end is greater. It's been awhile since I've seen the movie, but I don't remember movie Phil showing as much despair as musical Phil does when he's telling Rita about being stuck.  Or if he does, I feel like movie plays it for laughs, where the musical keeps the sadness, even though the scene gets laughs. 

I feel the opposite way Dave, in that, while I love the movie and Bill's interpretation, his Phil seems less genuinely changed at the end than Andy's.  But I've also seen more of Bill's work, so I might just be conflating all his roles together, altering my perception of his Phil. Anyway, I like both the movie and the musical, am just more taken with the musical right now obviously.

Updated On: 6/13/17 at 11:41 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/14/17 at 8:28am

ZellMorrowsPledge said: "Andy Karl takes the audience on a two and a half hour journey and by the end I couldnt help but root for and believe in Phil's transformation. Especially during the Night Will Come scene, thats when things starting to switch in Phil's head and his way of thinking started to change."

The staging of "Night Will Come" is so unexpected and it hit both me and my husband right in the gut. I think it was brilliant to take what was until that point a throwaway character and position him in the middle of a dark stage and have him deliver such a devastating number while Phil goes through night after night with the homeless man. Wow.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 7/5/17 at 9:29pm

I absolutely loved Groundhog Day. I thought the stagecraft brilliant, the leads endearing and the overall experience moving. Didn't love the score.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 7/5/17 at 11:54pm

ARTc3 said: "I absolutely loved Groundhog Day. I thought the stagecraft brilliant, the leads endearing and the overall experience moving. Didn't love the score.

 

"Give the music another listen.  It's brilliant and even melodic.   Of all the shows I saw this year it is ghd that I play repeatedly.