With Groundhog Day now playing in Australia, Andy Karl is strangely repeating a role in a show about a show that repeats itself!
How does it feel to be repeating a show about a show that repeats itself?
Andy Karl: Oh, I’m fully aware of the irony. In the back of my brain, there’s a little joke going on about how this must be connected to me in some strange way. There can’t be anything like this done by anyone before. People have repeated roles, like Topol in Fiddler on the Roof, but Groundhog Day is about repetition, repetition, repetition. Over the past eight years, I’ve grown with this show as a person, and I’ve developed some new ways of thinking. I have a love affair with Groundhog Day and a huge appreciation for the audience who come to see it.
The story has a great message too.
It has a big message in that we’re all able to change and look at things a little differently if we just take the time every single day. We can become something better than our troubles, woes and greed. I’m proud to be the voice of that message through Tim Minchin’s music and lyrics, Danny Rubin’s story and Matthew Warchus’s direction.
Andy Karl as Phil Connors with Elise McCann as Rita Hanson in Groundhog Day: The Musical
How does Melbourne compare to the West End and Broadway?
London was a terrific chance to come back to it and say, “Yes this show matters!” Now in Australia, I’m still on that path. The audience here loves the show and I’ve never heard reactions quite like in Australia. I think the people get the humour and of course, they’re big Tim Minchin fans. I love every second that I’m on stage in Australia.
“Every part of my life is wonderfully filled with LGBTQ+ people”.
Australia doesn’t have groundhogs, but we do have wombats.
Oh yes, wombats, and you have wallabies! (Laughing) It’s a case of choosing your marmot! Groundhog Day is such a strange holiday that goes way back to some Dutch tradition about knowing when spring will come around. What’s in the show is very much like it is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and how they celebrate when they bring out the groundhog. Our set design is exactly and specifically the same as the grounds in Punxsutawney, right down to the signage.
And the groundhog in the show is adorable – and lifelike!
What’s interesting about the groundhog is its symbolism in the story. It represents change and judgement, and how one needs to live their life. When I see the six-foot-tall groundhog for the first time which is constantly trying to hit me on the head with the sun on the stick, I think it’s sort of cursing or blessing Phil. It’s a strong symbolism.
Andy Karl with some of the Groundhog Day: The Musical cast members
Is there a specific moment where you feel you connect with the audience?
Absolutely! The last song I sing in the show is called Seeing You, which is one of Tim Minchin’s most beautifully profound yet simple tunes. It speaks to you about living in the moment. It’s about seeing somebody for the first time, and I get to share all that very personally with the audience. I feel the first verse of that song is a dedication to everybody in the theatre on that night. They may just see me singing a soliloquy, but I’m trying to look into the eyes of those people. It’s become a favourite moment of mine and one that I need every night.
Your role on Law & Order: SVU became quite popular, but they killed you off!
Yeah, it’s a recurring theme in my shows (Laughing). Law & Order was a gift from the universe. I got to work with Ice-T (Detective Tutuola) who was one of my childhood icons of rap! One of the head writers, Warren Leight, had written a lot of theatre and saw me in Rocky the Musical, so he offered me a role. Originally my character Mike was going to be a guest spot as the son of Captain Dodds (Peter Gallagher). He turned out to be something of a hero and the episodes eventually accumulated into a story arc. Then I realised they were going to kill me as the big season closer! No spoiler alert there! But the next day I flew to London to start Groundhog Day rehearsals.
Andy Karl as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day: The Musical
Have you ever played a gay role?
I haven’t specifically played an out gay role – yet. I remember auditioning for one in a musical called Yank! a military gay love story, but I didn’t get it. I wasn’t good enough! (Laughing).
Life in musical theatre is very colourful. Do you go out clubbing with your gay mates?
Oh my god, I wish I was out clubbing! I remember going years ago, and it was mostly gay bars because they had the best music. The whole cast would go, and we’d have a great time dancing. A majority of my friends are gay. The musical theatre is very open to every type of preference, and I get exposed to so much culture living in New York City and I’m thankful for it. It’s the same staying in Melbourne. All my gay friends are richer than me and have houses (Laughing). My friend in Pennsylvania owns a mansion and I live in a two-bedroom flat in NYC, and he paid less for his mansion! I get a little jealous! Every part of my life is wonderfully filled with LGBTQ+ people.
“I remember auditioning for a musical called Yank! a military gay love story, but I didn’t get it!”
What’s your irresistible burn-the-floor song?
Play some Saturday Night Fever and the Bee Gees and I’m on it! I’ll be giving you every piece of choreography I learned from Arlene Phillips on Saturday Night Fever the Musical – plus some of my own! Keep your eyes on TikTok because I have a video coming up where I’m dancing with my understudy Matt Hamilton. The dance has not left me!
Who’s your music diva?
Orfeh – my wife! She is my diva. I’m such a fan of her voice, and she can rock a dance number. If Diva is listed in the dictionary, Orfeh’s name would be under it. You should hear her sing If ‘I Can’t Have You’ from Saturday Night Fever! I also have a great appreciation for the music of diva singers in general. I did a concert a couple of years ago at Carnegie Hall of Judy Garland’s music where I sang underneath like Frank Sinatra. Jessica Vosk sang Judy, and I gained a new appreciation for that catalogue.
Andy Karl (Sergeant Mike Dodds) with Mariska Hargitay (Detective Olivia Benson) in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Who’s your celebrity man crush?
When I was younger it was Harry Connick Jr. I thought he was just the man! But my celebrity man crush now …. well, I’m in Australia so why not Hugh Jackman!
Do you have a favourite quote?
I’ve been able to say some pretty inspiring things in shows and one that gets me through a lot if I’m ever having a hard time, is a quote I found when I played Rocky. It’s actually from the Rocky Balboa film where he tells his son “It’s not how hard you get hit, it’s how hard you get hit and keep moving forward”. That quote got me back up on my feet a few times. If you get hit hard, you can and will win if you keep pushing through. In a lot of things in life, when there’s a challenge there is also the other side, where there is the win. Don’t give up!
Do you have a grooming tip?
Moisturise! Eight years on, I’m playing the same parts and still moisturising. I also love firm-hold pomades for my hair, because at this age I’m still holding onto my hair!
Andy Karl as Phil Connors
What’s been your biggest onstage wardrobe malfunction?
I’ve been doing theatre for a long time and there’s constant imperfection. In Groundhog Day there’s repetition so you’re begging for things to go wrong, constantly! And they always do! Buttons go flying, and zippers won’t zip up, but I also run around in my underwear through half the show so I’m beyond being thrown by something happening with my clothes. But during Jersey Boys on Broadway, as Tommy DeVito, I had to constantly throw a guitar over my shoulder and jump into song. One time the butt of the guitar hit me square in the mouth and chipped my two front teeth into a triangle. I had teeth rolling around in my mouth! Keep your mouth closed when putting on a guitar. I learned that lesson!
When it comes to underwear – briefs, boxer briefs or commando?
Boxer briefs are my favourite. A nice boxer brief cuts the body correctly. A brief has too much ‘banana hammock’ happening, which I’m not a fan of.
Groundhog Day the Musical is playing at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre
For more visit: groundhogday.com.au
Follow Andy on Instagram @andy_karl
Matt with Andy Karl at the Groundhog Day: The Musical opening
