Members of the audience take the stage alongside the actors with one goal: to keep a troubled couple together. The couple clashes continually in a 5-minute loop, and the audience must learn from previous loops how to successfully manipulate the main characters, à la Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day.
“At its core, it’s a classic farce. It’s a storyline you’ve seen before, like a foul-mouthed version of a Frasier episode,” explains the show’s creator Prescott Gadd. “But instead of watching it, you’re a part of it. You’re the one creating the diversions, you’re the one keeping the secret lover hidden in the closet. It’s not a unique story, but it is a totally unique experience.”
Groundhog Date is scripted but uses improvisational actors to make sure the audience’s ideas are incorporated into the action. The actors have prepared by studying different scenarios so they are prepared to follow the audience’s lead. Susie Gutowski, the show’s director adds, “We’ve tried to think of everything, but I can’t wait to see what the audience comes up with to keep this couple together.”
Anthony Oberbeck, Mitra Jouhari, and James Folta hold the fast and funny show together. Oberbeck was featured in TBS’s Just for Laughs Festival and IFC’s Comedy Crib shorts, while Jouhari comes from TBS’s new late-night talk show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, and Folta has writing credits that include The Onion and McSweeney’s and is a house-performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
For those hesitant to join the fray, fear not. Only those who wish to participate will be asked to perform, and all are encouraged to offer solutions between loops. If you decide to take to the boards, the assignment is easy: play yourself.
“It’s the perfect group date show in Williamsburg. Unlike most interactive shows you can choose to be very active or sit back and enjoy the action.”
Length: 60 minutes
Event: Theatrical Experience
Players: General Public
Cocreator: Susie Gutowski
Groundhog Date debuted at the Annoyance Theater in Brooklyn, NY.