2017 Tony Race Heats Up: Groundhog Day Will Land on Broadway in Spring

After London critics and audiences repeatedly fell for new musical Groundhog Day, the writing was on the wall when Jersey Boys announced it would close at the August Wilson Theatre early next year. The much-buzzed about stage adaptation of the 1993 film will begin previews in March 2017 and officially open on April 17 at the venue. No official word on casting, but it is widely expected that the transfer will be headlined by the show's star in the U.K., two-time Tony nominee Andy Karl.

Directed by Matthew Warchus, the musical features a score by Matilda scribe Tim Minchin and a book by Danny Rubin (who co-wrote the original film). The production is currently playing at the Old Vic, with Karl as Phil and Carlyss Peer as Rita. The move to the Great White Way comes after a bit of a switcheroo with the producing team, that led the production to initially cancel its first round of 2017 New York opening dates.

Groundhog Day follows TV weather man Phil (played by Bill Murray in the film), who reluctantly goes to cover the story of Punxsutawney Phil for the third year in a row. Making no effort to hide his frustration, he covers the story and moves on, expecting his job to be finished. However, he awakes the "following" day and discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and the fun happens again and again and again. He soon realizes he must take advantage of it in order to secure the love of a coworker.