PicksInSix Review: Groundhog Day - Paramount Theatre
Love Wins Out In “Groundhog Day”
By Ed Tracy | PicksInSix®
It’s hard to argue with the lyric: “there is no town greater than Punxsutawny on Groundhog Day!” That is, of course, unless you are Phil Connors, the reckless, arrogant gadabout weatherman who has been assigned to cover the annual appearance of another Phil, a well-meaning rodent touted as the “Prognosticator of Prognosticators” whose international appeal is predicting how many weeks of winter are yet to come.
A few hours in town with an associate producer, cameraman and a familiar and charming collection of townsfolk turns into an endlessly-evolving series of life lessons in humanity in “Groundhog Day: The Musical” now reoccurring nightly in a fancifully-staged, five-alarm, non-stop comic hit directed by Jim Corti at Paramount Theatre in Aurora.
The 2017 Tony nominated Broadway production, which originated in London in 2016, owes everything to the 1993 classic starring Bill Murray and may have even more comically macabre relevance in these pandemic times. With a book by Danny Rubin and a folksy, country-infused score by Tim Minchin, Paramount’s “Groundhog Day” sports marvelous central performances by Alex Syiek and Phoebe González as Phil and his associate producer Rita Hanson along with a superb ensemble who play a multitude of townspeople over and over again as Phil sorts out the important things in life.
The comedy hinges on Phil’s likeability as a self-absorbed television personality who must rationalize what is happening around him. Then there is a transition to attempting to capitalize on the time-bending opportunity, often with disastrous results. As the only character with a memory of the unfolding events, Phil ultimately realizes that life is not about manipulating people for your own ends but rather about extending kindness and building relationships. Corti has been careful to balance Phil’s emotional struggle—the kind of hopelessness we have all faced recently— with Phil’s inspirational and often heartwarming discoveries, all with hilarious consequences.
These fine lines are expertly navigated by Syiek who delivers the comic heart of the story effortlessly in a masterful, wide-ranging and brilliantly sung performance. The captivating González, a fine actor and singer whose challenge is to corral Phil’s ever-evolving advances, is perfect as Rita. Ron King deftly plays the stalwart cameraman Larry, who has eyes on the other object of Phil’s advances, Nancy Taylor, a sassy turn for Haley Jane Schafer. Stand-out performances in featured roles abound, including: Kyle Adams as insurance nerd Ned Ryerson; Vasily Deris as Buster the town crier; the always entertaining Nick Druzbanski (Fred); and, Emily Rohm (Mrs. Lancaster), Karl Hamilton (Sheriff) and Veronica Garza (Deputy) whose comic abilities are on full display.
The score, beautifully performed by the Paramount orchestra under the direction of Kory Danielson, is even more lush and fully realized by the crisp sound design of Adam Rosenthal. The stage is encapsulated by a geometric semi-sphere and ingenious staging elements by scenic designer Courtney O’Neill that serve as the hi-tech backdrop for Mike Tutaj stunning projections, Greg Hofmann’s lighting and an array of Jordan Ross costumes. From the marvelous, man-sized marmot to The Marching Chucks, you won’t need a wake-up call to fall in love all over again with Paramount’s “Groundhog Day.”
PHOTO|Liz Lauren
Paramount Theatre
presents
GROUNDHOG DAY
through March 31, 2022
23 East Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 896–6666
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