[9] Rubin affirmed he had been working on a concept of a Groundhog Day musical for some time, and already had about 12 song ideas (whittled down from 30) along with dialog, scenes, and other production aspects.
[10] Shortly after reaching this conclusion, Rubin was called by director Matthew Warchus to introduce him to Tim Minchin, who had just finished writing the songs for Matilda the Musical.
[citation needed] The musical has a book by Danny Rubin, based on his original story, and the screenplay co-written with Harold Ramis,[16] and is directed by Matthew Warchus,[17] with choreography by Peter Darling and Ellen Kane[18] and design by Rob Howell.
"[22] Minchin, who wrote the music and lyrics for the adaptation, added, "Our version of Groundhog Day is going to be both instantly recognisable, and utterly different" and that "The central conceit is perfectly suited to the theatre... it has the potential to be complex, dark, visually fascinating, and thematically rich, whilst still being a joyous romantic comedy with cool tunes and lots of gags.
"[23] Phil Connors, an arrogant TV weatherman, is dreading his trip to Punxsutawney, PA to report on the annual Groundhog Day Ceremony, believing it is beneath him.
The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February full of scorn for everything and everyone he encounters on his way to Gobbler's Knob where the annual ceremony takes place.
While Phil and Rita eat lunch at a diner, Larry packs the van preparing for their departure, and the sheriff enters and tells them that a bad snowstorm has closed every road out of town, keeping them from leaving.
The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February and fearing a mental breakdown ("Day Three"), consults every doctor and healer in town, none of whom is medically qualified, and who all suggest a variety of unusual remedies ("Stuck").
Phil decides to self-medicate at the bar instead, and finds camaraderie with two drunks who are stuck in a rut and live feel that life is repetitive.
The trio takes advantage of not having a future and drive recklessly on train tracks and evade the police before they are caught and Phil is arrested ("Nobody Cares").
The next morning, Phil wakes on 2 February with a newfound skip in his step as he openly treats others terribly, does as he pleases, and uses his repeated days to meet and reintroduce himself to Nancy Taylor, a local woman that he tricks into sleeping with him ("Philandering").
Phil learns that Ned's wife has died, and later that evening, he finds a homeless man dead in the park, which he spends several days trying to prevent before accepting that some things are inevitable ("Night Will Come").
Rita arrives at the banquet and overhears everyone in town raving about what Phil has done for them that day, only to discover he is also playing in the band ("Punxsutawney Rock").
Andy Karl made his London debut starring the lead role of Phil Connors[29] with Carlyss Peer as Rita and Eugene McCoy as Larry.
[32] The musical premiered on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre officially on 17 April 2017[33] with Karl reprising the role of Phil Connors and a new cast including Barrett Doss as Rita.
[35][36] On the preview on the evening of 14 April, Karl injured himself onstage during the number "Philanthropy" tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, but he continued the performance with a cane.
The London production made its Australian premiere at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne for a limited season beginning previews in January 2024.
Casting was announced on 2 December 2023 including Karl reprising the role of Phil Connors from the London and Broadway productions and Elise McCann as Rita Hanson.
The first professional non-replica regional production was performed at San Francisco Playhouse in November 2019, directed by Susi Damilano, with Ryan Drummond in the role of Phil.
A non-replica Swedish production presented by Wermland Opera in Karlstad opened 27 February running until 17 May 2020 (however due to the coronavirus pandemic, performances were cancelled from 16 March to 21 April).