GROUNDHOG DAY APPRECIATION THREAD

[Kara Lee Sweeny]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 8:46am

In the wake of the news that the show will be closing I thought I would make a thread where we can all share our favorite moments from the show, fave moments of stage dooring, etc. 

- First of course is Andy Karl.... he has such a stage presence to him, he is so handsome and has this amazing effortless comedic timing.

- Hope is my favorite scene because it is dynamic and magical

I could go on and on but #1 I'd like to hear what everyone else loves and #2 I'm at work and I already have tears in my eyes thinking about it

[TheThreadMaster]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 9:33am

The climaxing music at the end of Seeing You with the electric guitar and the drummer just wailing gets me every single time.

[FrizzyAnya]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 9:35am

Man I LOVED this show. I took my dad for Father's Day and it was like the greatest present to me. :)

I really enjoyed the scene where they're running around and showing many days passing all at once. I have memorized the soundtrack but I don't remember offhand which song matches that scene. The misdirection where he wakes up on different beds unexpectedly was just so much fun for me. I loved that even while I was trying to pay attention they duped me a few times. 

I adore the music. I bought it the same night that I saw the show (or maybe the morning after?) and set about listening to it on repeat for a long time! Unexpected favorite was the bar scene. 

I loved how quickly Andy Karl responded to my fan letter too. I thought it was very sweet of him, and he seems like a really nice guy. I made sure to go to Broadway in Bryant Park the week that they were there. I hope to see them all in other shows again some time!

[Lot666]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 10:30am

TheThreadMaster said: "The climaxing music at the end of Seeing You with the electric guitar and the drummer just wailing gets me every single time."

^ This!

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 10:43am

A lot of great moments come to mind, but my favorite has to be the bridge of "If I Had My Time Again" with the Tilt-a-Whirl sequence. So moving and magical.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 10:53am

GHD means a lot to me. 

I probably wouldn't have seen it if it wasn't for winning tickets to the first preview. I didn't like the movie and wasn't interested, but who can turn down free. We sat in the 2nd row for the set malfunction which ended up  being one of my favorite nights in NYC since I moved here 7 years ago.

When I saw the show, I was in my own rut and continous loop. Spiraling into depression and angry at everyone. While most people were resonating with DEH, it was GHD that did it for me. It made me feel joy and hope again. I'd always really liked musicals but never had the money to see more than a couple shows a year. With most shows having online lotteries or contests, I started to get into finding ways to see as much as possible, it's been so much fun. All because of that one lucky night.

Ive seen the show 5 times and have been rooting for them the whole time- it really is something special.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 10:56am

I think we all crave shows where our expectations are surpassed. I went into Groundhog Day fully expecting it to be a clichéd bore of a show. Within the first 10 minutes, I knew I was at something completely different and extremely special. I was blown away by the huge production, the delicious score, the well-structured and well-written book...and Andy Karl's performance will stay with me forever. I thought it was the very best of the season, and one of the best I've ever seen. I also became a big Barrett Doss fan that evening and will be sure to follow her career afterwards.

Right when the curtain went down, I started texting my friends telling them to get tickets, and it's been my top recommendation to other posters on these boards for the past few months. I adored this show and am really, really glad to have had it in my life. Happy, happy trails to everybody at the Wilson. 

[HSky]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 10:57am

CT2NYC said: "A lot of great moments come to mind, but my favorite has to be the bridge of "If I Had My Time Again" with the Tilt-a-Whirl sequence. So moving and magical."

That's my favorite moment in the show when the spotlight illuminates on Phil as he watches Rita. It's such a beautiful moment and I was surprised to hear that was an addition in NY because of how well it fits. Close to that is the "Sample all the samples" moment not long before because that simple act of sipping coffee is what (I perceive) kicks off the start of Phil accepting his situation.

I've been a DEH fan since DC and a fan of Comet since ART, and CFA was the first show to unexpectedly get to me this season, but it's Groundhog Day that has run away with my heart. Through a weird scheduling fluke, I've been off most Wednesdays since May and roughly every two weeks I've been compelled to return. I've brought 4 friends who have also fallen in love with the show, too. 

Updated On: 8/16/17 at 10:57 AM

[Lot666]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 1:21pm

CT2NYC said: "A lot of great moments come to mind, but my favorite has to be the bridge of "If I Had My Time Again" with the Tilt-a-Whirl sequence. So moving and magical."

The Tilt-a-Whirl scene is beautifully realized.

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 1:53pm

HSky said: "CT2NYC said: "A lot of great moments come to mind, but my favorite has to be the bridge of "If I Had My Time Again" with the Tilt-a-Whirl sequence. So moving and magical."

That's my favorite moment in the show when the spotlight illuminates on Phil as he watches Rita. It's such a beautiful moment and I was surprised to hear that was an addition in NY because of how well it fits. Close to that is the "Sample all the samples" moment not long before because that simple act of sipping coffee is what (I perceive) kicks off the start of Phil accepting his situation.

I've been a DEH fan since DC and a fan of Comet since ART, and CFA was the first show to unexpectedly get to me this season, but it's Groundhog Day that has run away with my heart. Through a weird scheduling fluke, I've been off most Wednesdays since May and roughly every two weeks I've been compelled to return. I've brought 4 friends who have also fallen in love with the show, too.""

 

I'm surprised it was added so late, and yet not. It's clearly enabled (and possibly inspired) by the presence of the nested turntables, and yet it's such a important moment: Andy perfectly captures Phil's changing perspective as he watches the sheer joy on Rita's face as they spin. Having them in separate cars was an inspired choice

 

?????Glad I'll be there on the 17th, but sad to see it go

 

[TrChSpHa]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 1:53pm

- That magical first preview performance. I almost didn't want to come back.

- Beautiful, diverse, inclusive cast.

- "There Will Be Sun." Sometimes I'm moved to tears whenever I listen to the cast recording.

- Michael Fatica leading the tap number, "Philanthropy." I'd rarely take my eyes off of him during ensemble numbers/anytime he was on stage. 

- Also the short instrumental reprise of "TWBS" during that song.

- Tilt-a-Whirl in "If I Had My Time Again." Stunning.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 2:00pm

I saw this show again last night and what I will most appreciate is how finely Andy Karl walked the line between "asshole" and "lovable" without ever tipping the balance too much to one side. When he had a snide remark I laughed with him. His dry sarcastic sense of humor and delivery of his lines will stay with me, as well as how much he made himself look like a generically handsome TV weatherman. 

Also, it's been said before, but to blow out your knee during previews and still soldier on with very few days off was an amazing show of professionalism. When I first saw him in May he had very recently blown out his knee and he incorporated the knee brace into the show for comedy. 

I will miss this show and hope this isn't the last I see of Andy Karl on Broadway. 

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 2:12pm

Wait, I must be missing something in the Tilt-A-Whirl sequence. Can someone elaborate?

[Margo319]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 2:20pm

I LOVE the drunk driving scene, I did not know how they were going to do it, but the mini cop cars on sticks?  I was crying laughing.  My favorite scene is when he sings "Everything About You", because by the second time he sings "I know EVERYTHING about you", he has tears in his eyes.  It was such a beautiful moment.

Afterwards, I was not even looking to do stage door, I was meeting a friend outside the theater.  But, Andy came out (the only cast member to come out) of the stage door and there were like 15 people there, and they were so excited.  He was so kind, giving, appreciative, and lovely.  I just couldn't help going up to him and telling him what a brilliant job he did.  He said "thank you! Can I sign anything for ya?  Picture?".  Of all the wonderful leading men I've had a chance to congratulate, he is, by far, the classiest, most awesome of them all.  Class act all around.  

Updated On: 8/16/17 at 02:20 PM

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 2:31pm

greenifyme2 said: "Wait, I must be missing something in the Tilt-A-Whirl sequence. Can someone elaborate?

For me, it was the perfect marriage of music and visual, with a beautifully simple and bittersweet orchestration of strings and piano. The moment struck me as very "cinematic," and I'm a sucker for that kind of masterfully-executed staging.

 

 

[Kara Lee Sweeny]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 4:59pm

CT2NYC said: "A lot of great moments come to mind, but my favorite has to be the bridge of "If I Had My Time Again" with the Tilt-a-Whirl sequence. So moving and magical.

 

"

Yes! Gorgeous part

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 5:17pm

greenifyme2 said: "Wait, I must be missing something in the Tilt-A-Whirl sequence. Can someone elaborate?"

Besides what CT2NYC said, which I completely agree with, it's also the moment when I think Phil decides to embrace trying to do good things for people and make the most of the loop. It's after the Tilt-a-Whirl that he sings "I was completely dead inside, but today I'm like 85%". It marks the beginning of his healing and becoming a better person.

Aside from the final tableau, I love "Night Will Come."  The staging is beautiful and the song itself is both heartbreaking and reassuring.  What the creative team did with the characters of Phil and Ned is my favorite change from the film. Having their journeys parallel each other and  making Ned one of Phil's biggest teachers was brilliant and carries great emotional resonance. 

 My favorite funny moment is, of course, the scene after "Philandering" in the diner with Phil and Rita. "Oh yes you doooo."

[nightnic001]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 5:31pm

The first time I saw the show the audience erupted in applause when the perspective changes to the little puppets in Nobody Cares. I thought it was so genius, so magical, and could only be done on stage. 

[10086Sundays]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 5:50pm

poisonivy2 said: "I saw this show again last night and what I will most appreciate is how finely Andy Karl walked the line between "asshole" and "lovable" without ever tipping the balance too much to one side. When he had a snide remark I laughed with him. His dry sarcastic sense of humor and delivery of his lines will stay with me, as well as how much he made himself look like a generically handsome TV weatherman. 

Also, it's been said before, but to blow out your knee during previews and still soldier on with very few days off was an amazing show of professionalism. When I first saw him in May he had very recently blown out his knee and he incorporated the knee brace into the show for comedy. 

I will miss this show and hope this isn't the last I see of Andy Karl on Broadway. "

My thoughts exactly. The whole cast is incredible, but Andy was doing something special, ACL tear or no. And he never skipped out on the stage door. Even the Monday right after the Tonys when I'm sure he just wanted to go home and decompress, but stayed to sign and take pics for everyone, including a group of very zealous fan girls. 

[thealtoslament]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 6:08pm

nightnic001 said: "The first time I saw the show the audience erupted in applause when the perspective changes to the little puppets in Nobody Cares. I thought it was so genius, so magical, and could only be done on stage. 

 

"

I saw it during previews with my mother and there was a tech hold during Nobody Cares, so when they resumed, they started the song over again. My mom said it was her favorite part and she loved that she got to see it twice. 

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 6:14pm

thealtoslament said: "nightnic001 said: "The first time I saw the show the audience erupted in applause when the perspective changes to the little puppets in Nobody Cares. I thought it was so genius, so magical, and could only be done on stage. "

I saw it during previews with my mother and there was a tech hold during Nobody Cares, so when they resumed, they started the song over again. My mom said it was her favorite part and she loved that she got to see it twice."

 

loved those preview tech hold (I think I saw 3 of them total) because you got to see the song twice. It was especially great because the album hasn't dropped yet, so it was the only opportunity

 

i also have to say: the cast is so giving of their time at the stagedoor

 

Updated On: 8/16/17 at 06:14 PM

[Malka2]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 8:38pm

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* 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 8:55pm

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.

[SmokeyLady]

Posted: 8/16/17 at 8:59pm

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* 

 

"

Very nice.  I really enjoyed reading that. 

[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.