As you enter the hollow Black Box theatre, you notice a table with papers, schedules, highlighters and pens. Tania Breen, artistic advisor and director of the show, is sitting down with her computer, looking at a schedule that plans out the students’ free time until the end of February.
In the “crunchtime” leading up to the show, Breen said this was the most challenging piece they have ever done.
The team chose Groundhog Day after considering several scripts. They recognized its challenge due to the revolving stage design and continuous movement.
“There are no real moments where the lights go down and then there’s a scene change … the whole show is a dance of scenes moving here like it’s fun, exciting and relentless,” said Breen.
The students began rehearsing in mid-to-late October and start preparing for opening night by early February.
Breen said they only have a month and a half to rehearse before Christmas break and a month and a half after.
“We’re right where we should be. We’re at the point where everything is blocked … we’re tracking our props. We’re making sure that in all this movement, we’re singing,” she said.
She also said it was very exciting to see the students committed to reaching the finish line and “giving everything they have to get there.”
“They feel the pressure, but that’s exactly where we’re supposed to be right now. They’ve taken on a huge challenge and this is the point where they are, I think, stretching their brains to capacity,”
Emily Bessey, a fourth-year student, will play the lead role of Rita Hanson.
She said the production offers a unique take on the original film which stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a weatherman trapped in a time loop in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
“This is definitely my favourite show I’ve been in at STU … I don’t know what it is about the material or the class this year, but I just feel like we’ve all really fallen in love with this piece,” said Bessey. “We were rehearsing music the other day and people were tearing up just listening to the music.”
Not only do the students perform in the show, but they also handle its production. They are responsible for set design, costumes, lighting and sound.
Bessey highlighted rehearsals often take place on weekends, as well as early mornings and late nights on weekdays.
She did not know her co-star well before starting the class but has formed a strong friendship and chemistry with him. As well, their shared work ethic and dedication to the show have contributed to their natural on-stage chemistry.
“He’s so hard working. He cares so much. I think I’m the same way and [our] working styles complement each other really well.”
Isaac Gilbert, a first-year student, decided to come to STU to enhance his musical theatre skills and learn how to read sheet music. Even though the competition was “stiff”, Gilbert decided to audition for the male lead role, Phil Connors.
He’s also preparing for the audition process at Sheridan College in Toronto to enter the musical theatre program.
“I needed to make sure that we had someone who was willing to put in the effort to do this role, or otherwise we wouldn’t be able to do this show at all,” he said.
Gilbert emphasizes the show’s themes of redemption and the possibility of turning one’s life around. He hopes the audience will take away the message that it’s never too late to change and improve.
“To do something that maybe they weren’t willing to do before but now they have the courage to do so is what I really hope people take away from the show.”
Groundhog Day will run from Feb. 19 to Feb. 23 at the Black Box Theatre.
