Andy Karl to star in ‘Groundhog Day’ at the Old Vic

The Olivier-winning actor reprises the role of Phil Connors.

Have we seen this before? The Groundhog Day musical will return to the Old Vic in 2023. Groundhog Day begins previews on 20 May, ahead of an opening night on 8 June, and performances to 12 August.

“Groundhog Day is one of my all-time favourite films and making the musical stage adaptation with Danny Rubin and Tim Minchin was one of the happiest creative experiences of my life.. the Groundhog Day film manages to be both a great screwball comedy-romance and also a profound life-lesson combined… adding up to, in my view, the perfect entertainment,” said Matthew Warchus, artistic director of the Old Vic.

Groundhog Day follows Pittsburgh TV weatherman, Phil Connors, who is sent to cover a smalltown event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. While there, he finds himself caught in a time loop where he repeats his actions every day. The musical premiered at the Old Vic in 2016, and won Best New Musical and Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (for Karl) at the Olivier Awards.

Andy Karl returns to play Phil Connors. He’s also played Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman: The Musical, and recently starred in the current revival of Into the Woods on Broadway.

Matilda creatives Tim Minchin and Matthew Warchus reunite for Groundhog Day, providing original music and lyrics, and direction respectively. The musical features a book by Danny Rubin, choreography by Lizzi Gee, set and costume design by Rob Howell, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, and sound design by Simon Baker.

In a Groundhog Day review on London Theatre, our critic said: “But it is the wild eclecticism of Minchin's score that is the take-home treat. It's one I'll want to re-live again and again. Ditto the lead performance of Andy Karl, a Broadway actor imported to play Phil, who is spellbinding. So is the entire show.”

Groundhog Day is at the Old Vic.

Photo credit: Groundhog Day (Photo by Manuel Harlan)