Broadway-Bound Musical Groundhog Day to Premiere at London's Old Vic
The Old Vic has announced the inaugural season of new artistic director Matthew Warchus. The lineup features a wide range of programming, from a newly adapted Ibsen classic starring Ralph Fiennes to the world premiere of a new musical, Groundhog Day.
The full season will include Future Conditional (beginning September 1) by Tamsin Oglesby. Rob Brydon stars in this new comedy.
Next, Richard Jones will direct Eugene O’Neill's The Hairy Ape (beginning October 17), followed by the premiere of a new stage adaptation by David Greig of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax (beginning December 2), directed by Max Webster.
Later in the season, Ralph Fiennes is set to star in David Hare's new adaptation of Ibsen's classic The Master Builder, directed by Matthew Warchus. The theater is also planning to present a new dance thriller, Jekyll & Hyde, created by choreographer Drew McOnie, and Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker, starring Timothy Spall and directed by Matthew Warchus.
The previously announced new musical adaptation of the film Groundhog Day — featuring a book by original screenwriter Danny Rubin, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and choreography by Peter Darling — will have its world premiere at the Old Vic, with Matthew Warchus directing.
The season will also include a series of Variety Nights inspired by the Old Vic's vaudeville history, as well as a production of a new, commissioned work, Rise, performed by Old Vic Community Company on the Old Vic stage.
"Matthew’s first season gives us a taste of what is to come throughout his tenure – a vibrant and varied program with a strong commitment to new writing and musicals, alongside classics and artistic adventure," said chief executive Sally Greene in a statement. "This, teamed with his commitment to opening up the theater to anyone who wants to join in, and a real passion for supporting young directors in the way that he himself was supported, is set to make this a thrilling chapter in The Old Vic’s history."
