5 Reasons Why Jonathan Groff's New Broadway Show, 'Just In Time,' Is The Must-See Musical Of The Season

Jonathan Groff is officially back on Broadway, and the buzz is deafening. Fresh off his Tony Award-winning run in the critically acclaimed revival of Merrily We Roll Along, the stage and screen star is tackling one of the 20th century's most complex and charismatic entertainers: Bobby Darin. The new jukebox biographical musical, Just In Time, is currently captivating audiences at the intimate Circle in the Square Theatre, offering a deep dive into the short but spectacular life of the "Mack the Knife" singer. This article, updated in late 2025, provides the freshest details on the show's plot, its star-studded cast, and why this immersive production has become the season's hottest ticket.

The anticipation for Groff’s return was immense, and his performance as the legendary Darin is already being hailed as a career highlight. Just In Time isn't just a standard biographical musical; it's an intimate, immersive experience designed to transport the audience directly into the electric, high-stakes world of 1950s and 60s show business. From Darin's humble beginnings and lifelong health struggles to his meteoric rise to global fame, the show is a powerful exploration of ambition, destiny, and the price of stardom.

Jonathan Groff: A Complete Biography Profile

Jonathan Drew Groff is an American actor and singer, widely recognized for his versatility across stage, screen, and television. Born on March 26, 1985, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, his career trajectory has cemented his status as a modern Broadway icon and a respected Hollywood presence.

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• Full Name: Jonathan Drew Groff
• Born: March 26, 1985 (Age 40 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Singer
• Education: Attended Conestoga Valley High School
• Awards & Honors (Selected):
  • Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (2024, Merrily We Roll Along)
  • Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (2016, Hamilton)
  • Two-time Tony Award Nominee (2007 for Spring Awakening; 2016 for Hamilton)
  • Three-time Drama Desk Award Nominee
• Notable Broadway Credits:
  • Spring Awakening (Melchior Gabor, 2006)
  • Hair (Claude, 2008)
  • Hamilton (King George III, 2015)
  • Merrily We Roll Along (Franklin Shepard, 2023-2024)
  • Just In Time (Bobby Darin, 2025-2026)
• Notable Film & TV Credits:
  • Glee (Jesse St. James)
  • Mindhunter (Holden Ford)
  • Frozen franchise (Voice of Kristoff)
  • The Matrix Resurrections (Smith)

The Immersive World of 'Just In Time' and the Bobby Darin Story

The new musical, which officially premiered on Broadway on April 23, 2025, at the Circle in the Square Theatre, is a deep dive into the short but impactful life of Bobby Darin. Darin, born Walden Robert Cassotto, was a dynamic entertainer whose career spanned from teen idol to jazz and folk musician, but his life was shadowed by a serious congenital heart defect.

A Unique Theatrical Device

One of the most intriguing elements of Just In Time is its unconventional start. The show begins with Jonathan Groff portraying himself, the actor, before he seamlessly transitions into the role of Bobby Darin. This meta-theatrical device immediately establishes a personal connection with the audience and sets the stage for an intimate, confessional style of storytelling. The intimate, in-the-round seating of the Circle in the Square Theatre is perfectly utilized to create an immersive nightclub ambiance, making the audience feel like they are front and center for one of Darin's legendary performances.

The Plot: Defying Destiny and Chasing Fame

The book, penned by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver, with the original concept by Ted Chapin, follows Darin's life chronologically. The narrative highlights his early struggles as a sickly child who was given a grim prognosis: he was not expected to live past the age of 16. Defying these expectations, Darin channeled his limited time into a relentless pursuit of musical fame. The show captures the pivotal moments of his career, from his early rock-and-roll hits like "Splish Splash" to his iconic, sophisticated jazz standards such as "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea."

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The musical also delves into the major personal relationships that shaped his life, including his famous, whirlwind marriage to actress Sandra Dee. The portrayal of these complex relationships provides the emotional core of the show, exploring the tension between Darin's public persona and his private anxieties about his mortality.

The All-Star Cast and Creative Team Elevating the Production

A major factor in the show's success is the powerhouse team assembled around Jonathan Groff. The creative and performing talent ensures that Just In Time is a polished and memorable theatrical event, extending the show’s topical authority beyond just its leading man.

Star-Studded Supporting Cast

The ensemble cast features several recognizable names from both Broadway and Hollywood, adding significant draw to the production.

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• Erika Henningsen, known for originating the role of Cady Heron in Mean Girls, takes on the role of Darin's wife, the iconic actress Sandra Dee.
• Sarah Hyland, best known for her television work on Modern Family, portrays fellow teen idol Connie Francis, a significant figure in Darin's early career.
• Tony Award winner Michele Pawk plays Polly Walden, a key figure in Darin's life.
• The cast is rounded out by talented performers like Joe Barbara, Emily Bergl, Sadie Dickerson, Lance Roberts, and Caesar Samayoa, who embody the various figures in Darin's world.

This deep bench of talent provides Groff with strong scene partners, allowing the dramatic moments of the biographical musical to land with maximum impact.

The Visionary Creative Team

The production is guided by a team of Broadway heavyweights.

• Director: Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, celebrated for his innovative work on shows like Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Beetlejuice, brings his signature visionary style to the Darin story.
• Book Writers: The book is co-written by Tony Award winner Warren Leight (known for Side Man and his work on Law & Order: SVU) and playwright Isaac Oliver.
• Choreographer: Shannon Lewis is responsible for capturing the energy and style of the mid-20th century, from rock-and-roll swagger to the cool sophistication of a Vegas nightclub act.
• Scenic Design: The immersive atmosphere is created by Tony Award winner Derek McLane, whose design transforms the Circle in the Square into an intimate, seductive performance space.

Why Jonathan Groff’s Performance is Generating Major Buzz

Despite some critical notes that the show itself follows a "by-the-numbers" biomusical structure, the universal consensus is that Jonathan Groff's performance is transcendent and utterly spectacular.

A Masterclass in Transformation

Groff’s portrayal of Bobby Darin is not merely an impersonation; it is a deep, nuanced transformation. Critics have praised his ability to capture Darin’s complex duality—the exuberant showman on stage and the vulnerable, driven man battling a ticking clock offstage. His singing, which requires a shift from his traditional Broadway tenor to Darin's distinct crooning style, has been highlighted as a major achievement, particularly on iconic tracks like "Beyond the Sea" and "Dream Lover."

A Limited Engagement You Can’t Miss

The run of Just In Time is a limited engagement, which only adds to the urgency of seeing the show. Following its April 2025 opening, the production is scheduled to conclude its run on March 29, 2026. This limited window means that tickets are a highly sought-after commodity for theatre fans eager to witness Groff’s latest Tony-caliber performance. His commitment to the role and the show’s success is underscored by his planned, brief absence from January 13 through January 18, 2026, a standard practice for leading actors in long runs.

In conclusion, Just In Time is a triumphant return for Jonathan Groff, offering a fresh, immersive take on the biographical musical genre. While the story of Bobby Darin is one of show business standard, Groff’s magnetic, "spectacular" performance and the high-caliber creative team transform it into an unforgettable theatrical experience that is, quite literally, running out of time to see. It is, without a doubt, the must-see Broadway event of the 2025-2026 season.