GROUNDHOG DAY APPRECIATION THREAD- Page 2

[HugoP]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 11:40pm

It was my favorite show of last season, and I loved DEH and CFA and The Great Comet and Hello Dolly.    But Groundhog Day touched me deeply and really gave me a jolt.    I thought the score was beautiful, the performances were wonderful (all of them, not just the wildly talented Andy Karl) and the staging was ingenious.   But its message and its themes really hit home, and I actively encouraged many of my friends to see it.   They all enjoyed it tremendously, but I found that other middle aged men (like me!) particularly loved the show.   Sorry to see it close, but hoping that it has a long and happy life in revivals, tours and local productions.    

 

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 11:50pm

poisonivy2 said: "Malka2 said: "Oh man, I'm gonna start tearing up here.

I saw Groundhog Day for the first time on a very, very personally difficult day during a very difficult time. I chose the show semi-randomly from TKTS two hours before curtain, just looking for a distraction from life really. Instead, I walked out that night with a new perspective on life and my situation and all of the challenges we get and the hopes we have and the frustrating realities we face.

And on top of it all, there was Andy's massive black brace, persevering through injury, and his "champions adjust" mindset, all resilience and faith and grace... I couldn't stage door that night but I came back to the show a week later and asked Andy to write "Champions Adjust" in my playbill. I didn't put it away with the rest of my playbills, I've kept that page folded open on my dresser ever since.

When I start flagging a bit the GHD soundtrack picks me right up - I have so many favorites I can't even list them all, but the lyrics of "Seeing You" - "But I'm here, and I'm fine" - are like a soothing mantra to me, and "I thought the only way to better days was through tomorrow" is a constant gentle reminder to me to stop waiting for a time when life will be easier, and instead live as fully as I can today.

I could go on and on but I'll stop here for now...

...and they say this show was a flop. *shakes head* 

 

"

Thanks for sharing. This was really beautiful. I just bought a ticket to the final show. I don't care that it was financially a "flop." I loved it.

 

"

 

Ivy,

 

I'm front row for the final show (my daughter can't make it). Come say "hi" 

 

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 11:52pm

I think colleges, especially, will be all over this once the rights are released. Great roles and a show directors can really have fun with. Same for designers, etc... (For good or ill.)

Updated On: 8/17/17 at 11:52 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 5:09am

JustAnotherNewYorker said: "poisonivy2 said: "Malka2 said: "Oh man, I'm gonna start tearing up here.

I saw Groundhog Day for the first time on a very, very personally difficult day during a very difficult time. I chose the show semi-randomly from TKTS two hours before curtain, just looking for a distraction from life really. Instead, I walked out that night with a new perspective on life and my situation and all of the challenges we get and the hopes we have and the frustrating realities we face.

And on top of it all, there was Andy's massive black brace, persevering through injury, and his "champions adjust" mindset, all resilience and faith and grace... I couldn't stage door that night but I came back to the show a week later and asked Andy to write "Champions Adjust" in my playbill. I didn't put it away with the rest of my playbills, I've kept that page folded open on my dresser ever since.

When I start flagging a bit the GHD soundtrack picks me right up - I have so many favorites I can't even list them all, but the lyrics of "Seeing You" - "But I'm here, and I'm fine" - are like a soothing mantra to me, and "I thought the only way to better days was through tomorrow" is a constant gentle reminder to me to stop waiting for a time when life will be easier, and instead live as fully as I can today.

I could go on and on but I'll stop here for now...

...and they say this show was a flop. *shakes head* 

 

"

Thanks for sharing. This was really beautiful. I just bought a ticket to the final show. I don't care that it was financially a "flop." I loved it.

 

"

 

Ivy,

 

I'm front row for the final show (my daughter can't make it). Come say "hi" 

 

 

"

will do! 

This is what I look like:

https://www.instagram.com/poisonivylin/

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 12:26pm

Raymond J. Lee (Ralph/The Groundhog) tweeted about this thread. So keep the stories and positivity coming!

I love getting to see understudies/swings, so I'll say my favorite GHD swing moment was when Jordan Grubb had to play the Sheriff and Buster at the same time. They changed it to the Sheriff saying all of Buster's lines as the Sheriff. (And he played the first Healer in Stuck.) It was awesome and he did a great job. 

[HSky]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 12:34pm

How did they handle the lines that the Sheriff track normally has in "Stuck" - was the Sheriff both a healer and 12 Step advocate?

I had seen the pics but didn't think about how they'd handle some of the lines. (Did they reassign Buster's lines from the back of the diner?) 

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 12:39pm

HSky said: "How did they handle the lines that the Sheriff track normally has in "Stuck" - was the Sheriff both a healer and 12 Step advocate?

I had seen the pics but didn't think about how they'd handle some of the lines. (Did they reassign Buster's lines from the back of the diner?) "

Camden Gonzales played the AA/12 Step Healer and, I believe, not 100% sure, took Buster's lines in the diner. She was credited as playing "additional parts."

ETA - Since Travis and Jordan couldn't be father and son, Jeff called him Jack instead of Pop. 

Updated On: 8/17/17 at 12:39 PM

[HSky]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 12:54pm

Thanks for the insight! I love seeing how tracks get handled in situations like that. The work swings and understudies do is amazing.

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 1:07pm

You're welcome! I know it's hectic and stressful for the cast and crew, but I love getting to see performances like that. And yes, understudies and swings are amazing. I can't fathom how they remember all the different roles and choreography and then do it at the drop of a hat.

If anyone hasn't see the Google Talk some of the cast did, Jordan was there in place of Andrew Call and Andy gives him and the other understudies/swings a well deserved shout out. Here's the link to the video.

Updated On: 8/17/17 at 01:07 PM

[Kara Lee Sweeny]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 1:16pm

Malka2 said: "Oh man, I'm gonna start tearing up here.

I saw Groundhog Day for the first time on a very, very personally difficult day during a very difficult time. I chose the show semi-randomly from TKTS two hours before curtain, just looking for a distraction from life really. Instead, I walked out that night with a new perspective on life and my situation and all of the challenges we get and the hopes we have and the frustrating realities we face.

And on top of it all, there was Andy's massive black brace, persevering through injury, and his "champions adjust" mindset, all resilience and faith and grace... I couldn't stage door that night but I came back to the show a week later and asked Andy to write "Champions Adjust" in my playbill. I didn't put it away with the rest of my playbills, I've kept that page folded open on my dresser ever since.

When I start flagging a bit the GHD soundtrack picks me right up - I have so many favorites I can't even list them all, but the lyrics of "Seeing You" - "But I'm here, and I'm fine" - are like a soothing mantra to me, and "I thought the only way to better days was through tomorrow" is a constant gentle reminder to me to stop waiting for a time when life will be easier, and instead live as fully as I can today.

I could go on and on but I'll stop here for now...

...and they say this show was a flop. *shakes head* 

 

"Geez, you're making my cry over here

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 1:24pm

10086Sundays said: "Raymond J. Lee (Ralph/The Groundhog) tweeted about this thread. So keep the stories and positivity coming!"

Raymond was a total standout in this as well as Honeymoon in Vegas! Love that guy!

[Kara Lee Sweeny]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 1:41pm

Are you kidding, the harmonies in Nobody Cares kills me, I love it!  Listening to Philanthropy right now..... I really wanna learn that tap dance just as a workout in my living room. I miss tap, I did it for years when I was younger. 

[Andy Bates]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 6:03pm

Okay, here's my story: Last summer we took the kids to England for about ten days, and we were looking at shows to see while we were there. A friend of mine recommended Groundhog Day, which hadn't opened yet at that point. We all saw it early in our trip and loved it!

Then the last day of the trip, we didn't have anything to do that night, and I suggested seeing the show one more time (there were mezzanine tickets for like $20 each!). But we had a big travel day the next day, so instead we went back to our hotel early. And the whole flight back home, I was regretting not seeing it, and of course there were doubts about whether it would ever make it to Broadway, so I was thinking I would never have the chance again.

Cut to January, when I was talking to my wife about a family trip this year, and I said, "You know, if we did a Broadway trip, we could see Groundhog Day again!" And then I convinced my wife that we should see the show twice during our trip. So we finally went a few weeks ago and saw the show again! Twice! We also got to see Taylor Iman Jones in her first performance as Rita, and of course Barrett Doss was there the second time we saw it.

I really don't know what to say about the show. It's one of my favorite movies of all time, and hands down my favorite show of all time! It's hilarious and touching and subversive and affirming, and I love it so much! I wish I lived closer so I could see it again before it closes, but I really can't complain!

[DAME]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 7:37pm

Just spontaneously got a ticket for closing .  Drinks before the show ?  

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 8:28pm

DAME said: "Just spontaneously got a ticket for closing .  Drinks before the show ?  

"

Would love to. 

 

[mpkie]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 8:48pm

My favorite joke was when Phil said, "Not willingly." (See if you remember that one.) I also loved the whole scene with Phil in the furs and his undies.

"Hope" -- I was absolutely dying at this number (no pun intended). It was so wrong but so right. I think that was the turning point from "this is okay with some laughs but kinda corny" to "this show is totally weird in all the right ways." And Andy's vocals on this is amazing.

Raymond killed it in his role and Nobody Cares was weirdly gorgeous and sad and relatable (and yes, those harmonies)!

Definitely felt myself falling for Andy Karl in this show, and totally cinched it at stage door, he was a total sweetheart!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 10:03pm

You've all talked about so many wonderful moments already so I'll just add this.  I didn't even expect to see this show but the show I planned to see wasn't available so I picked this one. I totally was not expecting anything but an ok evening but I fell in love. 

My favorite moment is probably the very last moment in the last scene with the sunrise coming up. It reminded me very much of the last moment of Matilda  when Miss Honey and Matilda cartwheel off into the moonlight night. Simple yet elegant and lovely. Will def go back again.   

[dwirth]

Posted: 8/17/17 at 10:49pm

I loved it in London and then again with a hobbled Andy on Bway in May. With this news, I will be buying a Labor Day weekend ticket (while moving my college kid back to the city - then buying her a final perf ticket.) And, of course, if this show were available to watch in some way outside of the theater --- which of course it isn't --- I have, er, um, would watch it another 2 or 3x a week.. because it is that great. This closing hurts!

My favorite thing about the show is the way it so inventively keeps the same day so fresh.. A movie is one thing.. But on stage? 

The first time I saw it, I remember thinking (on Day 2) - "Are they just going to play the same scene over and over? Booooring!" And then POOF it's day 3 and they have figured a funny way to do the same scene over... right after the first two. And the rapid-fire "sweet vermouth" scenes and then the several "French poetry" scenes ("You're talking about a guy, here?" and "Nancy Taylor" scenes and the piano lesson/bench guy/Ned scene. Oh, man.  And how can you not love "Hope" (even if you know how thy do it..) And the CAR CHASE! And WHAT is with that fresh and fabulous Barrett Doss? And has there been a better performance in years than Andy's? (Uh, no...)

Favorite actual  performance moment... During "Philandering" Phil is in a robe in the diner and at one point sticks his bare leg up on the stool and sort of poses suggestively and says "Curious.....?" to Rita. Well, that's how it played in London/earlier in the run. By the time I saw leg-brace wearing Andy in the early days of his injury - he was gesturing to his obviously braced leg during this pose - acknowledging what the audience was probably wondering/worried about - and saying, " Curious...???"... The audience lost it....

 

And have you EVER seen a harder working, more talented ensemble? Special thumbs up to Call and Fatica and Lee and Sanders Kelly and the looovely Faulkenberry...

What a show! 

 

Updated On: 8/17/17 at 10:49 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:14am

poisonivy2 said: "DAME said: "Just spontaneously got a ticket for closing .  Drinks before the show ?  

"

Would love to. 

 

I'll pm you the week before.

"

 

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:39am

poisonivy2 said: "
Ivy,

 

I'm front row for the final show (my daughter can't make it). Come say "hi" 

 

 

"

will do! 

This is what I look like:

https://www.instagram.com/poisonivylin/"

You were so sitting behind me at Comet last week. Sorry we didn't get to speak. If you grab a drink with Dame and want a third--let me know. I'll be in a drinking mood.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 6:46am

JustAnotherNewYorker said: "poisonivy2 said: "
Ivy,

 

I'm front row for the final show (my daughter can't make it). Come say "hi" 

 

 

"

will do! 

This is what I look like:

https://www.instagram.com/poisonivylin/"

You were so sitting behind me at Comet last week. Sorry we didn't get to speak. If you grab a drink with Dame and want a third--let me know. I'll be in a drinking mood.

 

"

The more the merrier :) 

[lady_luck]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:17pm

I have a lottery code I won't be able to use for tomorrow's matinee:  Gb4yV4QX 

 

Enjoy the show for me! 

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:24pm

lady_luck said: "I have a lottery code I won't be able to use for tomorrow's matinee:  Gb4yV4QX 

 

Enjoy the show for me! 

 

"Just a heads up no one will be able to use the code without the link that was also sent in that same email.

 

[LxGstv]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 1:26pm

I know it's a long shot, but anyone happen to win the lottery for tomorrow night and is not using their code?!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 2:12pm

Speaking of Raymond J. Lee, do you know he has 25 costume changes in ''Groundhog Day''? TheaterMania followed him as he made 3 of his quickest ones, including the Groundhog.

http://www.theatermania.com/video/watch-three-lightning-fast-groundhog-day-costume-c_1310.html?cid=hp_topstory

And thanks to Kara Lee Sweeny for starting this terrific thread!

Updated On: 8/18/17 at 02:12 PM