New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
‘Groundhog Day, The Musical’ to make Conn. debut in Stamford
Thirty years ago, the film “Groundhog Day” was an instant hit that was later adapted for the stage as a musical. “Groundhog Day, The Musical” is making its Connecticut debut, aptly on Feb. 2 (Groundhog Day), at the Kweskin Theater in Stamford as a Curtain Call production.
A huge fan of the original movie, Curtain Call executive director Lou Ursone missed out on seeing the show when it moved from London to Broadway but knew he wanted to bring the dark comedy here. The timing was finally right and the show will run Feb. 2 to 18.
On the surface, the story is about cynical and narcissistic TV weatherman Phil Connors being doomed to keep reliving Groundhog Day amid the homespun country folks in a rural Pennsylvania town.
He has a bit of a dark side however and attempts suicide several times before becoming a better person in order to escape the time loop. Given the mature nature of the subject matter and adult themes/language, the show is not recommended for those under age 16.
Stephen Emerick, who directed Curtain Call’s world premiere of “The Lobby” last spring, is back at the helm.
“After seeing ‘Groundhog Day’ on Broadway in 2017, I was immediately hooked by its clever and complex music and lyrics by Australian comedian Tim Minchin, the fast-paced humor, sharp choreography, and the surprising, inventive and magical qualities it possessed,” he said.
Emerick added that through difficult topics the show conveys important positive messages: loving, losing, connecting with others, sharing emotion, evolving and never giving up hope.
Audiences can expect something akin to the holiday classic “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Ursone said. “In that story, George Bailey gets to see the world without him, the mark that he makes on the world and has a chance to straighten things out.
“In a very different way, Phil gets to relive the same day and change it, initially in a very egotistical and very selfish way, and then he starts to see how he can make a difference.”
Adapting a story from the screen to the stage is typically challenging but Ursone said the “Groundhog Day, The Musical” creators made it work, and what results is a show that harnesses the talents of all its cast.
“It’s interesting because the ensemble of this show is probably the busiest ensemble of any show that we have ever done,” he said, noting the cast totals 27. “They all play so many characters and they are in so much of the story. It’s not the kind of musical where you have two or three or maybe four or five principals and the ensemble is in and out, here and there. This cast is on stage all the time. It’s a great adaptation and it all works really well together.”
The original film was not a musical, but the music creates a new dimension to the story, adding layers to its characters, especially insurance agent Ned Ryerson. In the movie, Ryerson’s character is a bit underdeveloped, but he gets to shine here.
“In this, he has one of the most beautiful ballads in the show,” Ursone said, noting the music is integrated into the storytelling and ranges from big showy production numbers to powerhouse ballads.
Due to ongoing COVID challenges, the four main roles are double-cast with actors appearing at alternating performances. “Being in the cast truly feels like being on a team — everyone is giving it their all,” said Eliza Kingsbury, who shares the role of Phil’s love interest and producer Rita Hanson.
“Playing Rita is exciting because she is complex and yet relatable. She’s optimistic, but she also stands her ground.”
For more information about the show, visit curtaincallinc.com.