You’d be forgiven for thinking there’s new theatre production opening in London this summer – something to do with a boy wizard.
But actually you’d be wrong. Because there’s also a new musical based on a beloved film: Tim Minchin is turning Groundhog Day into a musical which will have its world premiere at The Old Vic in August.
At the Sky Arts South Bank Show Awards Minchin gave the audience a preview of one of the show’s big songs, Seeing You.
Groundhog Day is the story of Phil Connors, a cynical Pittsburgh TV weatherman who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in the isolated small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, when he finds himself caught in a time loop, forced to repeat the same day again and again…and again. As each day plays out exactly the same as before, Phil becomes increasingly despondent, but is there a lesson to be learnt through his experiences, will he ever unlock the secret and break the cycle?
The new musical is created by the team behind hit musical Matilda – Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus, composer and lyricist Tim Minchin, choreographer Peter Darling and designer Rob Howell - alongside writer Danny Rubin.
Groundhog Day opens at The Old Vic on August 16 and is due to transfer to Broadway next year.