After hugely successful runs on London’s West end and New York’s Broadway, “Groundhog Day the Musical” finds its new home on the Sudbury Theatre Centre stage.
Based on the cult classic film by the same name, Groundhog Day is the rom-com musical by Tim Minchin (Writer, Matilda the Musical). Groundhog Day is co-directed by Cameron Carver and Andrew Tribe, with choreography from Cameron Carver, who choreographed “La Cage Aux Folles” and “the Diviners” this past season at the Stratford festival, North America’s Largest Repertory Theatre Company.
The two directors are the first of many nationally acclaimed directors working at YES this season, including past artistic director of the National Arts Centre, Peter Hinton-Davis.
The Times of London says this show is “so much fun it should be illegal” with the New York Times calling it “a comfy pair of slippers.”
The show played on Broadway starring Andy Karl and now Sayer Roberts joins the Sudbury company coming straight from the renowned Stratford Festival.
The cast also features Sudburian actors Alessandro Costantini as Ned, Colin Eady as Larry the Camerman, Ruthie Nkut as Doris, Jake Deeth, Maxwel Cull, April Perrin, Sidney Cassidy, Nathan Scruton. In the role of Rita, Melissa MacKenzie makes her YES Theatre debut.
“It’s extremely exciting to be the first people in Canada to do this musical,” said Ruthie Nkut, creative and associate artistic director, in a press release.
“This is just a fun, hilarious, darkly-comedic, romantic musical about a man who is trapped living the same day over and over again. It’s one of the most complex shows we’ve ever done with props and flies and dancing in full force.
“We also have the most amazing dream team working on this show - with Alessandro Costantini, Jake Deeth and other favourites on-stage and the Nationally Renowned Cameron Carver and Andrew Tribe steering the ship. It’s the perfect, heartwarming show to lift those winter blues! I promise! Seriously!”
“I grew up down the road from the Stratford Festival of Canada in London, Ont., and was exposed to some extraordinary theatre growing up,” said co-director and choreographer Cameron Carver.
“Over the last couple seasons, I was hired to work on three productions at the festival including La Cage Aux Folles, The Diviners and Richard II, which felt like a bit of a full circle moment.
Groundhog Day: The Musical, is one of the most intricate pieces I've ever come across. I saw the production at the Old Vic Theatre in London (UK) where I currently reside and spent the next couple days reflecting on its heartwarming, yet profound philosophical story.
“At the heart of the show beats a story of community and transformation which shines vividly at YES Theatre. Co-directing this piece with my childhood friend Andrew Tribe in Sudbury has been inspiring, and I believe we’ve cooked up something that audiences will delight in over and over again.”
Groundhog Day plays at the Sudbury Theatre Centre starting Feb. 12 with two previews and opening officially Feb. 14. Tickets at $56+HST for adults and $37+HST for youth with preview tickets and matinee tickets available at a discounted rate.
Season passes are also still available which allow patrons to see the entire season at a 20 per cent discount. Head to yestheatre.com for more information and for tickets.