There are two kinds of time loops. The kind where you wake up, brush your teeth, drink coffee, and do the same old thing until the sun explodes. And then there’s Groundhog Day: The Musical, where waking up to the same day over and over turns out to be a wildly entertaining, knee-slapping, show-stopping event.
Phil Connors, a weatherman with the charm of a wet sock and the patience of a raccoon in a garbage can, gets sent to Punxsutawney to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. He’s smug. He’s rude. He’s got the enthusiasm of a DMV clerk on hour six of their shift. And then—just his luck—he gets stuck in a cosmic do-over, reliving February 2nd again and again and again. What follows is a masterclass in poor decision-making, minor crimes, existential dread, and—eventually—personal growth.
Now, turning repetition into great entertainment takes skill, and this cast has it in spades. Garet Waterhouse, who took on the role of Phil Connors the night I attended, was worth the price of admission alone. His performance was sharp, witty, and full of the kind of energy needed to make Phil’s transformation believable. From his deadpan sarcasm in the opening scenes to his full-throttle commitment in the tap-dancing showstopper “Philanthropy,” Waterhouse commanded the stage with precision and charisma. Michelle Pagano played the steadfast and sharp producer Rita Hanson, keeping Phil on his toes.
This is a BIG production with a BIG cast, so you get a lot of bang for your buck! The ensemble was outstanding, filling the stage with vibrant energy and making every moment feel larger than life. Even as the same day repeated over and over, their dynamic performances ensured that no scene ever felt stale.
And just when things seem like they can’t get any better, along comes a tap-dancing number so synchronized, so electrifying, that audience members have been known to spontaneously combust with delight. (Well, not known known, but it could happen.)
ACT I: A Day That Won’t End
From the start, Groundhog Day hooks the audience with an energetic overture, setting the scene for the endlessly looping chaos to follow. The show launches into “There Will Be Sun”, a cheerful ensemble number that captures the Punxsutawney locals’ excitement about their favorite holiday. Phil, of course, is less enthused, and his sarcastic outlook is laid bare in “Day One”, a duet with Rita and the company, which humorously introduces his disdain for everything around him.
But then the time loop begins. The audience is pulled into the absurdity of Phil’s predicament as he cycles through “Day Two” and “Day Three”, each iteration growing more frantic. His frustration explodes in “Stuck”, where he desperately tries to escape the loop to no avail. His attempts to find meaning—or at least amusement—lead to “Nobody Cares”, a raucous drinking song featuring Gus, Ralph, and a very intoxicated Phil embracing the pointlessness of it all.
As Phil realizes he can act without consequence, the show shifts into the mischievous “Philandering”, where he indulges in every possible vice. But then, a glimmer of hope emerges in “One Day”, where Rita and Phil share a moment that suggests there might be a way out of this mess—if only Phil can figure out how.
ACT II: Finding a Way Forward
The second act kicks off with an Entr’acte, bringing the audience back into the swirling madness of Phil’s endless February 2nd. His shallow lifestyle starts to wear thin in “Playing Nancy”, where Nancy, one of the townspeople, reflects on the role she plays in Phil’s repeating story.
Phil’s journey toward self-discovery gains momentum in “Hope”, where he begins experimenting with different ways to live each day. His emotional shift is marked by “Everything About You”, where he starts seeing Rita—and life itself—through a new lens. The heartfelt “If I Had My Time Again”, a duet between Phil and Rita, captures the idea that perhaps a do-over isn’t such a bad thing if it’s done for the right reasons.
Then comes the tap-dancing spectacle of the night: “Philanthropy.” This number is the turning point in Phil’s transformation. Having embraced his endless February 2nd as an opportunity to help others, Phil dashes around town performing good deeds—rescuing townspeople, preventing accidents, and generally being the Punxsutawney superhero no one asked for but everyone needs. The stage explodes into a high-energy tap dance routine, featuring Phil and the ensemble, in a synchronized, electrifying sequence that showcases both the sheer talent of the cast and the show’s Broadway-level spectacle. Waterhouse threw himself into the number with the kind of commitment that makes an audience sit up and say, Now, that’s impressive.
Just when it seems like Phil might be getting it right, the mood darkens in “Night Will Come”, a haunting solo by Ned Ryerson that underscores the weight of time slipping away. But Phil pushes forward, using his knowledge to help others in “Philanthropy”, and by the time “Punxsutawney Rock” rolls around, he’s leading the town with newfound purpose.
The final emotional punch lands in “Seeing You”, as Phil at last learns the lesson the universe has been trying to teach him. And as the curtain closes with “Dawn”, the audience is left with a sense of triumph—because this time, Phil really has made it to February 3rd.
Show Details & How to Get Tickets:
Venue: 6th Street Playhouse, GK Hardt Theatre, Santa Rosa
Dates: Through February 23, 2025
Get Tickets: Visit 6thstreetplayhouse.com or call (707) 523-4185 for tickets and pricing details.
Run Time: Approx. 2 hours, 30 minutes (including intermission)
Content Warning: Some mature language, action, and themes. Parental discretion advised for patrons under 13.
The role of Phil Connors is played on alternating nights by:
- Garet Waterhouse: 1/30, 2/1, 2/7, 2/8, 2/13, 2/15, 2/20, 2/22 (matinee), 2/23
- Nelson Brown: 1/31, 2/2 (matinee), 2/6, 2/8 (evening), 2/14, 2/15 (matinee), 2/16 (matinee), 2/21, 2/22 (evening)
Final Thought:
Some shows entertain. Some shows dazzle. And then there are the rare ones that do both while making you rethink how you spend your own days. Groundhog Day: The Musical isn’t just a comedy—it’s a cleverly crafted spectacle packed with humor, heart, and high-energy performances.
With a stellar cast, sharp direction, and musical numbers that stay with you long after the curtain falls, this production proves that sometimes, getting stuck in the same day over and over might not be so bad—especially if it means seeing a show this good more than once.
