On the instructor of doctors, "Groundhog Day" actor Andy Karl is taking a few performances off from the newly-opened musical to recuperate from an injury he sustained at the show on Friday.
The Tony-nominated stage veteran, who stars at Phil Connors in the musical adaptation of the popular 1993 Bill Murray comedy, will perform in the show twice more this week — Friday (April 21) and Saturday evening (April 22).
The rest of his performances will be covered by understudy Andrew Call, who went on for Karl last Saturday evening.
"I will be taking a few shows off on doctors orders," Karl, 43, wrote on Instagram. "This is such a bittersweet moment in my life; getting such love for the show and then having to miss doing it for a few days."
"In the meantime, @theAndrewCall will be playing #Phil," Karl continued. "As you already know, he's hilarious and super-talented. I'll be back to the wonderful @groundhogdaybwy 'if not tomorrow, perhaps the day after.' "
Karl tweaked his knee after a fall on Friday night' preview performance, minutes before the show's second act ending, in what he called a "poorly landed leap frog." He finished the performance despite his injury, with help from a makeshift cane, and was checked by a doctor where he was told he had no broken bones.
He told fans he planned to see a specialist before he returned to the show.
Broadway
The Saturday matinee performance of "Groundhog Day" was canceled. Call filled in for Karl at the Saturday night show, though Karl returned for Monday's opening night and Tuesday's show.
The decision for Karl's break this week was confirmed to producers this morning, they said in a statement.
"Groundhog Day" tells the story of a cranky TV weatherman (Karl) who gets stuck in a time warp while covering the Groundhog Day ceremonies in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania — reliving the same day over and over again until he gets it right.
It's score comes from "Matilda" composer Tim Minchin with a book from Danny Rubin, who also co-wrote the screenplay to the original film. Matthew Warchus directs.
