Was Groundhog Day The Musical ground zero for Broadway stars’ shock marriage split?

An Australian theatre favourite has been linked to the shock break-up of two hugely successful Broadway stars, with the Melbourne production of Groundhog Day The Musical believed to be ground zero for the split.

Andy Karl and Orfeh Alimorad in happier times. Picture: Supplied

The Melbourne production of Groundhog Day The Musical has been ground zero for the marriage split of two hugely successful Broadway stars with an Australian theatre favourite linked to the surprise break-up.

The Groundhog Day Down Under experience appears to have been life changing for American theatre pin-up Andy Karl who announced he and his wife, fellow US stage favourite Orfeh Alimorad, had split in an Instagram post on May 15.

While he did not mention what had brought their marriage to an end, theatre chatter in Melbourne and a U.S. news story suggest that a firm friendship had developed between Karl and his co-star Elise McCann after the split.

Karl played Phil Connors, the character brought to life by Bill Murray in the Groundhog Day film, in the show which ran at The Princess Theatre from January to late April this year.

McCann played Rita, the role made famous by Andie McDowell in the film.

Orfeh and Andy Karl in Melbourne in February 2024. Picture: Supplied

Melbourne appears to have been ground zero for the split. Picture: Supplied

The pair’s characters fall in love as part of the show and off stage a bond has reportedly also formed.

Karl was joined in Melbourne by his wife in January and part of February with Orfeh attending opening night to cheer him on.

The pair shared many photos of their seemingly happy time in Yarra town and Orfeh praised the production and McCann in several social media posts.

It was after the show had closed that Karl revealed he and Orfeh had separated.

The New York Post’s Page Six column quoted a source saying Karl paraded Orfeh around Melbourne as if everything was fine, but then told her their marriage was over as she prepared to return to New York.

“He seems to be having a major midlife crisis,” a source close to the former couple told the Post.

Elise McCann and Andy Karl starred together in Groundhog Day The Musical. Picture: Supplied

An Instagram post from Orfeh on May 24, 2024. Picture: Supplied

The Post’s source claimed Karl had fallen for his co-star McCann: “It’s one thing to fall in love with someone when you’re out of your normal reality in Australia and you’re starring in a show. Let’s see how this [new] relationship goes when it’s their day-to-day reality.”

McCann was posting photos of herself in New York in early May.

Karl’s Instagram announcement about his split with Orfeh read: “After 23 years of a wonderful loving relationship, both onstage and off, we have made the decision to separate. Keeping a marriage strong can be challenging, especially when working on opposite sides of the world, but we remain committed to building a strong future, whether together or apart.”

Orfeh posted a cryptic comment on her Instagram stories on Thursday which read:

“Always remember. The liar always thinks they’re being lied to and the thief always thinks they’re being robbed #wordsofwisdom” to a song called Back Stabbers by The O’Jays.

Attempts were made to contact McCann and her Australian and U.S. representatives.