Andy Karl comes a cropper on Broadway

The New York performance of Groundhog Day: The Musical was halted last night when its star injured himself.

The Broadway show was stopped for around 20 minutes towards the end of when Andy Karl hurt his leg in a scene in which he catches a dancer falling from a ladder. A call went out for a doctor in the house.

When the curtain came back up again, Karl returned with an improvised walking stick, and audience members reported that he moved haltingly. However, he got cheers when he sang ‘But I’m here and I’m fine.’

At the curtain call, he was tearful and appeared pained.

Karl just won an  Olivier Award for his role as TV weatherman Phil Connors when the show previewed at London’s Old Vic – while the show itself, composed by Tim Minchin, was named best musical.

Last night was a critics’ preview of the show, before its official opening at the August Wilson Theatre on Monday, so there were many journalists in the audience.

Deadline’s  Jeremy Gerard wrote: ‘It was unclear in the moment whether it was an accident or stage business, until the stage was emptied and the curtain fell.’

And reviewer Rob Khan tweeted: ‘Injury at Groundhog Day tonight was leading man Andy Karl, who finished show limping and got a standing o. Emotional for cast, audience.’

Karl later explained his injury with a post on Instagram, which said: ‘I'm home now and I have no broken bones but tweaked my knee after a poorly landed leap frog. 

‘Finishing the show for all the @groundhogdaybwy fans and audience members was something I had to do. Thank you all for hanging in there.’

He added that he was going to have his knee examined specialist before he goes back on stage, but added: ‘Know I love this show and this company and everyone that supports me more than you'll ever know’ and the hashtag #theshowmjustgoon

The show’s producers issued a statement which said: ‘At approximately 10:30 in the second act of Groundhog Day, during the song Philanthropy, Andy Karl injured himself during the performance and left the stage. 

‘The show was stopped. Andy insisted on finishing the show and after a 15-minute break went on stage with a cane. 

‘Following the performance, Andy was taken to see a doctor. We will update you on further news as we hear it.’

Published: 15 Apr 2017