Directed by DANI MANN

Production photos by Wolfe Creative Media Services

GROUNDHOG DAY

REVIEW

Bob Wilcox for Two on the Aisle

The musical Groundhog Day, currently at Hawthorne Players, is based on the hugely successful film Groundhog Day. Given the movie’s popularity, at one point when Stephen Sondheim was asked about his next project he said that he was interested in a musical adaptation of the film. However, a few years later, having thought it over, he declared that “to make a musical of Groundhog Day would be to gild the lily. It cannot be improved.”

Nevertheless, Danny Rubin, who wrote the original story of Groundhog Day and co-wrote the movie’s screenplay with Harold Ramis, was indeed working on the book for a musical version. But he was stuck and told the director Matthew Warchus that he needed a composer to work with him. Warchus introduced him to Tim Minchin, who had written the songs for the successful Matilda the Musical. The three agreed to work together on the musical version.

It opened in London in 2016 and on Broadway in 2017 and was a huge success in both places and in many other cities around the world. That is the musical at Hawthorne Players.

Like many movies, Groundhog Day takes us to a number of places, Phil Connors’ bed and breakfast in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, the small town where he is covering the annual Groundhog Day; a coffee bar; a TV studio; the streets and parks of the town. On a stage it is not so quick and easy to move from one place to another. To make life easier for the stagehands, musicals frequently alternate an elaborate scene on the full stage with a simpler set downstage “in 1” as it is called behind a drop while the next large scene can be set up on the rest of the stage unseen by the audience and then revealed. Hawthorne goes this one better.

Director Dani Mann, Set Designer Natilie Piacentini, and Stage Manager Maria I. Straub have designed several attractive set pieces that can be easily rolled into place. Once there they act as a kind of “in 1”, though without a drop hiding the rest of the stage, because the next scene is quickly and easily put in its place. The crew that made these changes was always efficient and accurate.

The production is also blessed with actors who make you believe them as their characters whatever their scenic surroundings, and they play well both the comedy and the serious parts. The leads are two of the best in St. Louis theatre, Jason Myers as Phil Collins, the bored and supercilious big city TV weatherman who is changed by getting caught in a time warp; and Heather Matthews as Rita Hanson, Phil’s new producer and love interest. Chelsie Johnston plays Nancy Taylor, a local woman that Phil is interested in as he sings “Philandering.” Todd Garten’s Ned Ryerson was a high school classmate of Phil’s. Laura Lee Kyro is Mrs. Lancaster, running the coffee counter and friend to all. ln the ensemble as residents and officials of the town and the Festival, colorfully costumed marching band members, tourists, medical workers, AA members, radio voices, vendors, and TV crew are Richard Austin Jr., Bridgett Biundo, Elena Brown, Patrick Brueggen, Rebecca Carroll, Tori Shea Cole, Heather Fehl, Max Friedman, Tanner Garren, Bret Hannah, Michael Kramer, Emerson Lentz, Steve Lewis, Nathan Mecey, Dwayne MoseII III, Emileee Murphree, Brandon Ortiz-Avila, Jeannette Remines, Lauren Reynolds, and Chengzheng Yong. 

As noted, Dani Mann is the director, assisted by Patience Davis, Katie Smith, and Karley Wileman. Sean Bippen is the Music Director. Karla Curry was the rehearsal pianist. Lauren Kistner did the interesting choreography. Maria I. Straub is the Stage Manager, assisted by Betsy Gasoske. Zachary Thompson designed the costumes, Natalie Piacentini designed the clever sets, Eric Wennlund designed the lighting, Kareem Deanes the sound, and Brittany Kohl designed the projections. Christina Rios was the Intimacy Coordinator and Mark Kelley the Fight Coordinator. 

While we waited for the production to begin, someone had the bright idea to show movies of Punxsutawney’s Groundhog Day celebration. It was a great introduction to Hawthorne’s entertaining Groundhog Day.

—Bob Wilcox for Two on the Aisle