Bill Murray movie fans rejoice! A musical adaptation of the popular 1993 film Groundhog Day is currently in the works, with comedian-musician Tim Minchin writing the music and lyrics.
While Minchin praises the original, Harold Ramis-directed film as a "true comedy classic," he does note that his musical version will "be both instantly recognizable and utterly different," according to The Independent.
Minchin, the songwriter for the hit musical Matilda, will be working with fellow Matilda director Matthew Warchus as well has Danny Rubin, who is writing the book, according to The Independent. He notes that the idea for this adaptation has been around for years, with the legendary Stephen Sondheim originally toying with the idea.
"I've actually spoken to [Sondheim] about it," Minchin says, according to The Independent, "and the truth is he was only ever tossing the idea around. It got put on the back burner, and he is now happy that we're making a go at it. We have Steve's blessing — and it's a blessing I value enormously.”
The first workshop for Groundhog Day was in July, with Minchin saying that it is “looking exciting.”
"The central conceit is perfectly suited to the theater," he says, according to The Independent. "In fact, I think many of its ideas could be enhanced by the stage. 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. It's certainly not an easy job, and I'm truly honoured — and genuinely excited — that Danny is letting me have a crack at it."
"Seeing You," a song from the new musical, about a weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over, was performed by the songwriter in London's Hyde Park.
Watch Minchin perform the song below:
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