Broadway’s Andy Karl has nabbed Bill Murray’s coveted role in the forthcoming musical version of ‘Groundhog Day’.
The 41-year-old actor has a lot to live up to as he’s set to play his own version of grouchy weatherman Phil Connors, made famous by the legendary actor when he played the character in 1993, in the new stage production of the hit comedy.
An insider, who watched Andy’s audition for the musical in London, told the Daily Mail newspaper: "It’s a role that has a big shadow over it, because of Bill Murray but Karl captured the darkness, bleakness and humour of it."
The musical will rejoin Tim Minchin and Danny Rubin, who previously worked on the staged version of ‘Matilda’, while Peter Darling is set to choreograph the stage rendition.
‘Groundhog Dog The Musical’ will face a 10-week trial at the Old Vic in London later this year and, if it proves a hit, will get a permanent fixture on Broadway in 2017.
Despite the pressure on his shoulders, Andy – who has been nominated for two Tony awards in the past – doesn’t seem fazed by the challenge as he has numerous shows under his belt, including the productions of ‘Rocky the Musical’, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Wicked’.
‘Groundhog Dog’ follows the story of weather forecaster Phil, from Pittsburgh, who sinks into depression after he finds himself caught in a time loop that forces him to repeat the same day over and over again.
However, he later realises that he could take advantage of the phenomenon in order to win the heart of his beautiful co-worker Rita -played by Andie MacDowell.
The movie has become one of the most popular rom-coms of all time, despite never winning an Oscar.
Andy Karl to star in musical version of Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day
