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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Groundhog Day Also see Gil's reviews of Sleepy Hollow and Anastasia
The plot follows the film fairly closely. Cynical weatherman Phil Connors is sent to the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. Much to his frustration, Phil finds himself reliving the same day over and over again, stuck in a time loop with no clear way out. As he navigates the endless repetition, Phil begins to reevaluate his life and his relationships, eventually discovering that personal growth and kindness might be the key to breaking the cycle. While the musical numbers by Tim Minchin are not always groundbreaking, and the slightly disjointed tunes aren't what you'd usually find in most musicals, there are a few that are quite catchy and engaging, with witty lyrics that reflect Phil's journey from frustration to self-awareness. Songs like "Hope," "If I Had My Time Again," and "Seeing You" stand out as both humorous and heartfelt, and there are a few songs and musical themes that are reprised, which ties into the time loop Phil finds himself stuck in. Danny Rubin co-wrote the film screenplay with Harold Ramis, and Rubin's book for the musical manages to clearly depict the characters and hit the main plot points from the movie while creating many humorous situations and delivering an ending that ties the whole show up with a bright, heartfelt bow. The Greasepaint cast was great. Evan Kaushesh was excellent as Phil Conners and Paige Erdmann was wonderful as Rita Hanson, the TV producer who is assigned to cover Phil's remote shoot. Kaushesh exhibited the perfect balance of sarcasm and shallowness, with great facial expressions, to instantly make you know exactly the type of cynical and superficial man Phil is. At first, Phil is arrogant and dismissive, viewing himself as too important for the small-town people around him. However, as the time loop wears on, Phil's layers are peeled back, revealing a more vulnerable, introspective side as he wrestles with his own unhappiness. The changes the character makes and the things he comes to understand in the second act were beautifully delivered by Kaushesh. Rita serves as a grounded and compassionate foil to Phil's cynicism. Her kindness and sincerity contrast sharply with his self-centeredness, and it is through her influence and their conversations that Phil begins to change. Erdmann was warm and charming in the role. She created a believable woman who didn't quite know what to make of Phil's antics and behavior at first, and both she and Kaushesh have bright and strong singing voices that delivered strong vocals on their many numbers. The supporting cast provided clear and comical performances. Asher Johnston was hilarious as Ned Ryerson, the overly enthusiastic insurance salesman; his delivery of "Night Will Come" was filled with melancholy. Oliver Christie was bright and funny as TV cameraman Larry, and Sophie Swingler performed a lovely solo as Nancy Taylor, the attractive local girl Phil is drawn to. The large ensemble created clear portraits of the quirky townsfolk of Punxsutawney, which added comedy and charm to the story. Director Dale Nakagawa made excellent use of creative staging and some nice group choreography to effectively tell the story while making sure that his cast delivered nuanced and realistic portrayals. On Broadway the show had an intricate set, with multiple interlocking turntables, but Pete Bish and Chase Budden went with a minimal approach with simple yet flexible set pieces that were continually moved across the stage to cleverly capture the repetitive nature of Phil's time loop. Because of this, scene transitions were smooth, and the set was versatile enough to depict everything from the town's main street to a cozy diner or a bed and breakfast. This minimalist approach and Nakagawa's polished direction worked in the show's favor, allowing the focus to remain on the characters' emotional journeys and the story's deeper themes. MaryEllen Loose's music direction delivered clear and strong vocals from the cast. The musical adaptation of Groundhog Day successfully brings a beloved film to the stage with humor, heart, and a message about personal growth. With crisp performances and clever staging, Greasepaint presented an enjoyable, funny, and heartwarming production of this thought-provoking musical. Groundhog Day: The Musical ran September 20-22, 2024, at Greasepaint Youth Theatre, 7020 E. 2nd Street, Scottsdale AZ. For information and to purchase tickets for upcoming shows, please call 480-949-7529 or visit www.greasepaint.org. Directed by Dale Nakagawa Cast: |
