Tony winner Jonathan Groff (“Merrily We Roll Along” and “Hamilton”) stars as Bobby Darin in the new Broadway musical “Just in Time.” It is being performed at the Circle in the Square Theatre in Manhattan.
Bobby Darin was the legendary singer whose short but remarkable life took him from teen idol to global sensation. The show was developed and expertly directed by Tony winner Alex Timbers (“Moulin Rouge! The Musical”), and it was choreographed by Shannon Lewis.
The book is by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver, and it is rich in character development.
The show received a total of six Tony nominations, including nods for “Leading Actor in a Musical” for Jonathan Groff and “Featured Actress in a Musical” for Gracie Lawrence, who is stunning as Connie Francis.
“Just In Time” is able to immerse theatergoers in an intimate, swinging nightclub complete with a live band as they perform Bobby Darin’s iconic hits “Beyond the Sea,” “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and “Dream Lover.”
Everybody in this cast is gifted and they are able to bring something unique to the production.
The Verdict
Overall, “Just in Time” is a captivating musical from start to finish. Jonathan Groff is sublime in this show, and he is able to bring back Bobby Darin for one final bow in a raw, refreshing and organic manner. It has a retro vibe to it, which is sheer nostalgia.
Groff is able to introduce the late entertainer Bobby Darin to a younger generation of audience members. One thing is for certain… Groff knows how to make a splash!
Groff commands the stage for its entire duration; the audience simply can’t take their eyes off of him. It feels like watching the Tokyo Olympic Games all over again, and Groff is our Caeleb Dressel.
Groff deserves to win back-to-back Tony Awards for “Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical” for his stellar acting work in “Just in Time.”
Alex Timbers deserves to be commended for his vision in bringing this story to life, and the same holds true for Andrew Resnick and Michael Thurber for their stirring “Orchestrations.”
Shannon Lewis is a force of nature. Her choreography is intricate, meticulous in detail, and utterly fantastic; moreover, it will certainly move the audience on an emotional level.
The show is engaging, vivacious, interactive, and feel-good escapism at its finest. “Just in Time” needs to be experienced by all, and it garners five out of five stars. Bravo.
For more information on “Just in Time,” check out the official homepage.
