There’s plenty to excite musical theatre lovers in 2024, with a plethora of shows across the country, ranging from commercial revivals of popular productions and new productions of crowd favourites, to several brand-new Australian musicals from our state theatre and opera companies.

Getting the year off to a good start, Tim Minchin’s Groundhog Day the Musical finally has its Australian premiere in an exclusive Melbourne season at the Princess Theatre (24 January – 7 April). Based on the 1993 film, the musical features music and lyrics by Minchin and book by Danny Rubin, who co-wrote the movie screenplay. The show premiered at London’s Old Vic Theatre in 2016, winning Oliver Awards for Best Musical and Best Actor (Andy Karl).

Andy Karl Groundhog Day

Andy Karl as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day the Musical. Photo supplied

Karl, who subsequently starred in the Broadway season and the 2023 Old Vic revival, will reprise the role of Phil Connors, the arrogant, cynical TV weatherman who is caught in time loop, forced to relive the same day over and over until he learns to become a better man. Elise McCann plays his producer Rita....