March 18 (UPI) -- This week's first performance of Groundhog Day the musical on Broadway stopped abruptly in Act 1 because of a technical issue.
A video posted on Facebook featured theatergoers expressing how excited they were to be there, then explaining how the performance was halted when its rotating stage malfunctioned. People appearing on camera praised Andy Karl and the cast for valiantly continuing the show in concert form, making for an unforgettable evening.
"Last night's first preview of @groundhogdaybwy was the perfect imperfection," Karl wrote in an Instagram post Friday. "After starting the show with an audience that was with us entirely we unfortunately had a stage malfunction 15 minutes in. Though we couldn't fix it, our director Mathew Warchus had the brilliant idea of performing the show concert style. What happened for the next few hours was remarkable. And to the unique point of the story in Groundhog Day, it was all about embracing the world around you as the cast, crew, creatives, producers and especially the audience came together and made one of the most incredible nights of theatre I've ever experienced. This is what being on stage is all about and I'm forever grateful for nights like these. I'm very lucky to be a part of this production and this stellar team of people."
