Overview
Synopsis
A beloved comedy classic is brought to the stage in Groundhog Day. Phil Connors, a sarcastic and self-centered TV weatherman from Pittsburgh, dreads his trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, every year, where he is forced to report on the annual Groundhog Day festivities. Disdainful of the locals, rude to his cameraman and associate producer, Rita, Phil would do anything to get out of Punxsutawney as soon as possible. Unfortunately for him, he is stuck overnight due to a blizzard. When he wakes up on February 3rd, though, there’s a worse problem on his hands--it isn’t February 3rd, but February 2nd, the same day he just lived. In a bizarre twist of fate, Phil is forced to relive the same day over and over again. What will it take for Phil to break the time loop? Crimes and misdemeanors? Arrest? Suicide? Falling in love? Or is he fated to be stuck in Punxsutawney celebrating Groundhog Day forever? Set to a hilarious and heartfelt score by Tim Minchin, Groundhog Day is an uproarious tale of a man who finds himself with all the time (he never wanted) in the world.
Show Information
- Book
- Danny Rubin
- Music
- Tim Minchin
- Lyrics
- Tim Minchin
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- 1993 film Groundhog Day
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2016
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, February 2, Present day
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters
Context
Groundhog Day is based on the classic 1993 film of the same name. The movie was written by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, directed by Ramis, and starred Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Groundhog Day was voted #34 in the American Film Institute’s 100 Years… 100 Laughs list, #8 in AFI’s Top 10 for Fantasy Films, and was added to the US National Film Registry in 2006.
Rubin worked on the concept of adapting Groundhog Day to the stage for many years before it reached fruition. After nearly
to read the context for Groundhog Day and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, weatherman Phil Conners does all he can to delay his inevitable annual trip to Punxsutawney, where he’ll be reporting on the town’s famous Groundhog Day ceremony and festivities. An arrogant, self-centered man, Phil dreads the visit; he hates small towns, he hates the people who live in small towns, and finds the whole experience beneath him. In spite of his protests, Phil is forced to travel to Punxsutawney, where the townspeople hope that the
to read the plot for Groundhog Day and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
ACT ONE
- There Will Be Sun - Company
- Small Town, U.S.A. (Day 1) - Phil and Company
- February 2nd/There Will Be Sun - Rita and Company
- Small Town, U.S.A. (Day 2) - Phil and Company
- Punxsutawney Phil - Company
- February 2nd/ There Will Be Sun - Rita and Company
- Small Town, U.S.A. (Day 3) - Phil and Company
- Stuck - Phil and Healers
- Nobody Cares - Gus, Ralph, Phil and Company
- Philandering - Company
- One Day - Rita, Phil and Company
ACT TWO
- Playing Nancy - Nancy
- Hope - Phil and Company
- Everything About You - Phil
- If I Had My Time Again - Rita, Phil and Company
- Everything About You (Reprise) - Phil
- Philosopher - Phil and Company
- Night Will Come - Ned
- Philanthropy - Phli and Company
- Punxsutawney Rock - Piano Teacher and Company
- Seeing You - Phil, Rita and Company
- Dawn - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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