Landmark’s production of Groundhog Day has been featured in the Grunion Gazette and Press Telegram with an engaging feature written by Willie Plaschke. Read some quotes below and the full article on the Press Telegram website.
Based on the beloved 1993 film, this beautifully intelligent production will be performed in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.
Directed by Megan O’Toole with musical direction by Curtis Heard and produced by Jay Dysart, the musical is led by Dysart himself as Phil Connors, the cynical weatherman caught in a time loop on Feb. 2 during the annual Groundhog Day celebration.
The musical, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Danny Rubin (who also wrote the original film’s script), premiered on Broadway in 2017 after a successful run in London’s West End. It received seven Tony Award nominations and won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2017.
So it’s a thrill for this musical to finally be rearing its head in Southern California.
“[Composer and lyricist] Tim Minchin is a marvel,” producing director Jay Dysart said. “His extraordinary, multidisciplinary career definitely put a stamp on Groundhog Day. It’s clear the show is driven by his creative vision.”
This creativity unfolds subtly, but surely, through the musical score: “A tool that Minchin uses in the musical is the concept of Western music itself,” explains Dysart. “When you hear an octave, it’s a musical progression that’s progressing forward, but also returning to its origin.”
– Willie Plaschke, The Press Telegram
The show is not only visually stunning but thematically rich. Once he discovers his motionless predicament, Phil Connors, like his movie counterpart (famously played by Bill Murray), spends a lot of his time trying to manipulate the world around him.
– Willie Plaschke, The Press Telegram
What more could you want out of a night of theater during the closing months of a blustery, mindless, endlessly looping 2024?
Landmark is thrilled to announce that tickets are now on sale for Groundhog Day: The Musical, opening November 1 and running for 3 weekends until November 17.
Groundhog Day is one of the shows available to Season Ticket Package holders – Grab your discounted season ticket package today and then book your seats when you are ready. Season ticket packages are redeemable for any show through the end of 2025!
Landmark is excited to announce that the Sunday Oct 6 performance of Tales from the Comic Book Crackdown will be live streamed through our Watch Landmark platform. After the live stream, the performance will be available on-demand.
Landmark is now offering Season Ticket Packages that allow for flexible usage for any show through the end of 2025. With 5 shows recently announced through Spring of 2025, and more announcements on the way, these ticket packages are a great way to grab discounted tickets.
Ticket Packages are connected to your online ticketing account and will appear automatically when booking tickets. Grab a ticket package now at a discount, and then book your seats when you are ready!
Package Options
Patrons have the option of choosing Premium or Standard ticket packages in bundles of 6, 10, or 20 tickets.
Premium – this package gives you the option of choosing any available seat to the show(s) of your choosing. At the time of booking, you will not be charged any fees.
Standard – this package allows you to choose any seat in the “Excellent” or “Good” sections of our theater with no fees at the time of booking. You will be able to upgrade your seats at the time of booking into a “Premium” seat for an additional fee.
Learn more and make a season ticket package selection on Landmark’s Get Tickets page.
Long Beach Landmark Theater is thrilled to unveil a spectacular upcoming lineup of main stage productions, along with an innovative new workshop series. On our main stage, we are thrilled to bring the 2017 Broadway smash hit Groundhog Day: The Musical to Long Beach, followed in the Spring by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s enchanting musical Bright Star.
Landmark is equally excited to announce a new and innovative Workshop Series. This series will feature new works and formats, and provide a platform for semi-produced productions performed in a staged-reading or concert style. The series will begin this fall with a workshop of a brand new musical about comic books and freedom of expression – Tales from the Comic Book Crackdown. The series will continue in the Spring with a thought-provoking play with music that takes place, naturally… in a church – The Christians by Lucas Hnath. In March of 2025, the workshop series will kick off our springtime Steve Martin couplet with the wonderfully funny and inspiring Picasso at the Lapin Agile.
Nov 1 – 17, 2024 Book by DANNY RUBIN – Music & Lyrics by TIM MINCHIN
Inspired by the beloved film starring Bill Murray, Groundhog Day is a Broadway and West End smash hit musical. The show follows cynical Pittsburgh TV weatherman Phil Connors as he finds himself trapped in a time loop in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Nominated for seven Tony Awards and eight Olivier awards in 2017 – Join Landmark as we bring this hilarious musical parable of love, hope, and renewal to Southern California.
Bright Star
May-June, 2025 Music, Book, & Story by STEVE MARTIN – Music, Lyrics, & Story by EDIE BRICKELL
Broadway’s ‘shining achievement’ Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 40s. Featuring a Tony-Nominated Score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, this enchanting musical weaves together two chapters in the life of literary editor Alice Murphy. When Alice meets a young soldier just home from World War II, their unique connection sets her on a transformative journey.
Upcoming Workshop Productions
For the first time, Landmark Theater is embarking on a Workshop Series, which will include new works and formats. These productions are semi-produced and performed in a staged-reading or concert style.
Tales from the Comic Book Crackdown
A New Musical October, 2024 by BEN DICKOW and RAY HEDGPETH
This new musical brings to life the dramatic Senate hearings on Juvenile Delinquency of April 21, 1954, designed to bring down the comic book industry. Bill Gaines, the most successful comic book publisher of his day, was the sole witness to testify on behalf of comic books and free expression. This forgotten American story is brought to life with show-stopping tunes, projections of classic EC Comics’ art, and a real-life twist ending.
The Christians
A Play with Music February, 2025 by LUCAS HNATH
A big-little play about faith in America – and the trouble with changing your mind. Pastor Paul has spent 20 years growing his church from a small storefront to a gleaming megachurch. But on this day of celebration, he delivers a new message that shakes the foundation of everything he has built. Featuring a full live choir, and taking place, fittingly, inside a church, The Christians compels a conversation about faith in America, its power to unite or divide, and the moments that change our hearts.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile
Part of our Steve Martin Couplet March, 2025 by STEVE MARTIN
Paris, 1904; The Lapin Agile, a beloved Parisian watering hole, welcomes two soon-to-be legends for one extraordinary and fanciful night. Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso meet, sparring about art, science, inspiration, love, and the promise of the 20th Century. This witty and intellectual play by Steve Martin is sure to captivate audiences.
Landmark invites the community to join us for an unforgettable lineup filled with inspiring stories, captivating performances, and thought-provoking productions.
Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company is holding open auditions for GROUNDHOG DAY: THE MUSICAL. Auditions will be held on August 17 &18. All details can be found on the auditions page of the Landmark website.
This is a fully staged production, with professional live orchestra. This is a volunteer theatre performance. Reimbursement/Per Diem will be offered for all roles.
Anyone interested in receiving notification of auditions with Landmark can sign up here.
The spotlight is on our star-studded cast for the Great Adventure Gala on June 8th! You won’t want to miss seeing all your favorite Landmark performers take the stage in this unforgettable night of music and celebration. From past favorites to sneak peeks of our upcoming productions, this is a night of entertainment you won’t want to miss! Tickets On Sale Now
Landmark Performers
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear all these incredible performers on stage at the same time. Don’t miss this evening!
Allie Hyman Brooke Wittenmeier Charlie Carlos Corey Shaw David Perez Douglas Emslie Emily Morgan Evelyn Carter Genie Hossain Heather Chambers Jay Dysart Jeff Lowe Jennifer Walquist Jocelyn Thalia Sanchez Joey Krumbein Jordi Kligman Kenneth Spears Lacey Spence Lauren McGunigale Lily Penner Lisa Bode Heard Maddie Levy Mark Waters Martha Duncan Megan O’Toole Phineas Wilder Ray Hedgpeth Richard J. Martinez Richard Muhammad Sarah Shimanek Yves Dysart
Landmark is excited to announce our Summer Gala Celebration “The Great Adventure” on Saturday June 8th, at First Congregational Church of Long Beach with a champagne and light hors d’oeuvres and dessert reception starting at 7:00 pm and concert at 8:00 pm. This event will feature a cavalcade of 30 plus Landmark performers with live music accompanying the artists as we speak and sing to our next GREAT Adventure!! Tickets are $50 per person and are on sale now. We hope to see you there!!!
Reception – 7pm
The evening of celebration begins with a champagne reception in the beautiful courtyard and grounds of the magnificent First Congregational Church of Long Beach. Light hors d’oeuvres will be followed by dessert as we toast to the coming adventure. A surprise performance may arise, so come early and enjoy the pre-show revelry.
Concert & Entertainment – 8pm
Landmark performers will be accompanied by live music as we sing our way through pieces from Landmark shows of the past and introduce you to material in our future! With over 30 performers, we are sure to fill the remarkable sanctuary of First Congregational with heartfelt song and joyous energy.
Big Announcements!
We have exciting news to share about what’s ahead and can’t wait to unveil our upcoming plans at the Gala! Please join us in celebrating the Great Adventure that lies ahead!
Live Auction
Throughout the evening, there will be fabulous opportunities for entertainment, dinners, cruises, and more! Come prepared to bid on these extraordinary items and support Landmark’s mission as you nab some one-of-a-kind deals!
Landmark Performers to be announced
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear all these incredible performers on stage at the same time. Don’t miss this evening. Full cast list will be posted soon on the event page. Stay tuned!
The largest nation-wide day of giving is here. Everyone at Landmark appreciates your consideration on this day of giving as we plan out our next slate of shows – every little bit helps us to dream big!
Six long Beach arts organizations combine to present a musical commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Matthew Shepard story.
Landmark is extremely proud to collaborate with six other exceptional arts organizations from Long Beach to bring our very own Curtis Heard’s score to life in a one-night only event.
Imagine the Matthew Shepard story told through more than just human eyes with the poetic imagination of Lesléa Newman‘s book October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard, brought to life by a stunning score from local Long Beach composer Curtis Heard. Join the South Coast Chorale, in collaboration with the First Congregational Church Sanctuary Choir, Landmark Theatre Company, Musique Sur La Mer Orchestra, Long Beach Youth Chorus, and members of the Wilson High School Choir as we share the unheard voices of the fence, the deer, the stars, and more in this musical narrative that, 25 years later, still resonates far beyond the LGBTQ+ community.
