Musical Auditions

A poster with the text Groundhog Day, the Musical, Auditions. Auditions is underlined and given an exclamation point and the letter O in hog is replaced by a clock. Above the text is a realism style portrait of an upsidown groundhog, as if they are peering over the edge of the paper.

Audition Information

Thursday, November 14th at 7 pm
And/Or

Friday, November 15th at 4 pm

Bishop Center for the Performing Arts, Grays Harbor College

Open to the public

Come to either one or both. If you cannot attend at all, email the director andrew.gaines@ghc.edu

NO EXPERIENCE OR PREPARATION REQUIRED.

Audition Dance Tutorial & Music

Sheet Music

About The Show

Based on the 1993 hit movie, Phil Connors is an arrogant Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again. Tony-nominated music and lyrics by Tim Minchin (Matilda) and book by Danny Rubin.  Be a part of an epic and deep adventure joined by the larger Grays Harbor community amid fun songs and a full-scale production.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals Begin January 7. Expect 2-5 weeknights and most Saturdays depending on your role. Starting February 1, we increase to 4-6 nights and Saturdays through performances.

Performances

Performances First 2 weekends of March
Fri. 3/7, Sat. 3/8, Sun. 3/9 (matinee) and Fri. 3/14, Sat. 3/15, Sun. 3/16 (matinee)

Questions? Email the director andrew.gaines@ghc.edu

Updates to this site will be made periodically leading up to the audition with more information as it becomes available. Check back soon!

Character Descriptions

Phil Connors (20s-50s) is a weather forecaster. He is self-obsessed, career-driven, and rude. He doesn’t want to cover the Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, thinking it’s beneath him. He becomes trapped in a time loop and lives Groundhog Day on repeat, unsure if he will ever leave Punxsutawney or see the sun again. Sings several solos, duets, trios, and more. Vocal range top: B4. Vocal range bottom: F#2

Rita Hanson (20s-50s) is an Associate Producer covering Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney—which she finds completely charming. She has worked with Phil once before, on the flood story, when she was an intern. Rita is pragmatic, assertive, and optimistic. When Phil makes the decision to trust Rita with the truth of his predicament, she teaches him to see it as a gift and not a curse; an opportunity to strive for more. Sings several solos and duets. Vocal range top: E5. Vocal range bottom: F#3

Ned Ryerson (20s-50s) is an old friend of Phil Connor’s from high school. A comedic, fast-talking life insurance salesman who crosses paths with Phil every morning. Ned has extreme enthusiasm for life, much to Phil’s chagrin, but also has a shadow in his past. Sings the solo number “Night Will Come.” Vocal range top: F4. Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Larry (20s-60s) is the long-suffering camera man who works with Phil, although their relationship is purely professional. He is accustomed to Phil’s poor behavior.

Mrs. Lancaster (40s-70s) runs the B&B in Punxsutawney. She is eager to please her guest Phil, whom she knows from television. She is good-natured, warm, and oblivious to Phil’s rudeness. She needs a new coffee maker. Vocal range top: F4. Vocal range bottom: A3

Jonathan (20s-40s) is staying in the same B&B and meets Phil in the breakfast parlor. He is excited to be in town for Groundhog Day. He can’t break his addiction to fried chicken, despite his doctor’s pleas for him to stop. Phil calls him “Chubby.” Featured soloist in “One Day.” Vocal range top: D4. Vocal range bottom: D3

Debbie Johnson (16-30s) and Freddie Kleiser (16-30s) met on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney four years ago and come back every year. Debbie wants to learn how to sing, and Fred secretly wishes to propose to Debbie, but can’t afford to buy her a diamond. They are big fans of Phil Connors.

Jenson (50s-80s) is a sickly homeless man from Punxsutawney. Phil tries desperately to save his life.

Doris (20s-60s) has worked at the diner since she was fourteen, and she dreams of being a singer but she can’t really sing. By the end of the 2nd act, she nails it.

Nancy Taylor (20s-30s) is an attractive woman who lives in Punxsutawney. She has a secret yearning for more than her life offers – such as being seen as a person and not as a sex object. She sings the solo number “Playing Nancy” at the top of Act 2. Vocal range top: B4. Vocal range bottom: F#3

Buster (30s-60s) is the upbeat and offbeat Mayor and the Master of Ceremonies for the Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney. He also takes care of Phil the Groundhog. Sings a solo introducing “Day One.” Vocal range top: Bb3. Vocal range bottom: E3

Billy the Bartender (20s-40s) keeps the bar at the local hotel. Rita calls him “kinda hot.”

Sheriff Jack (40-70s) and Deputy Wilbur (20s-60s) are the local police department. On Groundhog Day they announce the blizzard has closed all roads out of Punxsutawney. They arrest Phil when he crashes a truck after drinking at the bar. Sheriff is plagued by his broken holster. Vocal range top: D4. Vocal range bottom: F3

Joelle (16-40s) is a flashback ex-girlfriend of Phil’s. She likes to get high, eat rich foods, and watch cult classic and B movies from the 80s and 90s. Featured in a duet with Phil during “One Day.” Vocal range top: C5. Vocal range bottom: D4

Jeff (16-30s) is the Sheriff’s son who works at the Diner. Phil tells us “He’s very clumsy, he’s gay, and he always bets against the Eagles.”

Mr. Cleveland (40s-80s) and his wife Mrs. Cleveland (40s-80s) are staying at the B&B with Phil. They are constantly checking the weather forecast and discussing it.

Healer, Naturopath, Psychiatric Pharmacologist, AA Sponsor, Scientologist and Priest (16-80s) are all local practitioners Phil consults to try and find a way to break his time loop. They all have strong alternative opinions about what Phil should do to resolve his situation. Group sings “I’m Stuck” with Phil.

Gus (20s-50s) and Ralph (20s-50s) are locals in the dive bar. They are both stuck in their habits, each day precisely like the last. Sing a rousing trio with Phil, “Nobody Cares.” GUS Vocal range top: F#4. Vocal range bottom: A2. RALPH Vocal range top: C#5. Vocal range bottom: G3

Elders (40s-70s) are a group of men who have been passing down the Groundhog Day lore for generations. They open the show by singing a quartet introducing “There Will Be Sun.”

Piano Teacher (40s-80s) gives Phil piano lessons in Punxsutawney for, ostensibly, years. Sings an upbeat solo at the Hotel Bar, “Punxsutawney Rock.” Vocal range top: D5. Vocal range bottom: F3

Nurse (16-60s) works at the Punxsutawney hospital and conveys the news to Phil that Jenson is dead

Clock Radio Singers (any age) Quartet that sings a catchy jingle (earworm?) about Punxsutawney Phil. Requires tight vocal harmonizing.

Morning Radio DJs (16-50s) exchange wacky banter on the morning of Groundhog Day.

Groundhog Guy will probably wear a large mascot style outfit looking like a….groundhog. Sports a homemade sun on a stick that unknowingly(?) smashes Phil in the face.

Townspeople (16-80s) attend the Groundhog Day celebration and Gobbler’s Knob, eat at the diner, dance at the Hotel Bar, puppeteer toy cars, and add tons of vivid detail to many other scenes. This ensemble will likely play featured roles named above. Lots of support vocals, dancing, and making the magic happen.