JUST IN TIME Previews — Page 4

Bringing to back to the show…

Good Lord. Not since GATSBY have I seen a show that was so flashy and yet so absolutely hollow and emotionally empty.

First of all, if you are using the first 20 minutes of the show to set up this whole “Jonathan Groff as a character” premise, and then abandon it after, it needs to go. You can’t play both sides here and expect us to not be confused by the concept. If it was just Groff doing a tribute concert/moment in time play like Lady Day, it would’ve landed a lot better. Instead we get this speedy Wikipedia-style “and then I sang this…” journey through his life, part of which I nodded off because it was so dramatically inert that I couldn’t stay engaged. The intermittent bursts of light representing his heart failing were the only things that brought me back in.You also have a very talented supporting cast wasted on what feel like stock characters.


By the end, when it switched back to Groff-as-character again, I didn’t come away feeling like I knew anything substantial about Darin or why he needed to be the subject of a musical. He’s working his butt off, but the book fails him on what is otherwise an underbaked vanity project. The nightclub style set with multiple stages was fine and flashy, but also brought Gatsby back to mind.

This is a show strictly for baby boomers and Groff fans. All others might prefer to go splish-splash in the bath with a toaster.

Getting home from tonight's show and I wish I had more to add from what others have already said. I didn't think the book was awful but it wasn't anything spectacular. The show exists and the reason to see it is to see Groff give, what I think is, a pretty wonderful performance. The music sounds great, everything looks great and the fact is, I'm at a bio jukebox musical. I knew it wasn't going to be the next "West Side Story". I didn't think Act Two was a total mess like others did but it was just an hour of "Ok, let's wrap this thing up".

I'll have to think on the whole thing of Groff introducing it as himself. I expected him to go back and forth on it throughout the show but when he didn't I kind of wondered what the point was. He does make a joke about how much spit and sweat he'll get on everyone which made me chuckle. But anyways, I enjoyed myself tonight because of him. Groff would have to do something TRULY heinous to make me not enjoy him in it. He's just that likable.

I'm surprised how much these early reports are making it sound like the 92Y concert with better production value. Are there dialogue scenes or is it mostly narration?

quizking101 said: "There are dialogue scenes, but there is also an abuse of a device where “Bobby” snaps his fingers to freeze the scene and deliver a snarky aside or narrative commentary"

This was used once in a very touching way that brought a tear to my eye, though.

Jonathan Groff is making a giant ''Splish Splash'' in ''Just in Time'' at Circle in the Square. And we're not talking about his propensity to sweat and spit, which he even jokes about.

Here's a quote from Playbill.com about Groff's point of view: “When we were developing the show over the last seven years, we kept asking this question: ‘Could I start the show as myself and establish that connection, that true connection between performer and audience, without even the artifice of character between us, so that we begin connected?” Groff said. “That’s the most important relationship to establish — if you’re going to tell the story of Bobby Darin’s life, it’s that relationship with the audience.

“He had a love affair with the audience. There’s this great song called ‘The Curtain Falls,’ where he sings, ‘If I had this to do again, I would do it for you. I would do it for you, the audience.’ That’s essentially what he’s saying. So we want the audience to feel like they had a great time, and we’re celebrating Bobby Darin. And ... we’re celebrating the art and the unparalleled magic of live performance and the relationship between performer and audience.”

If you go into ''Just in Time'' expecting a perfect note-for-note ''is it live or Memorex?'' re-creation, stay at home with your Darin records. But if you want to see a Tony winner give a tour de force that celebrates Darin's singing, style and showmanship, and leaves an audience roaring for more, Groff is a tough act to follow, especially doing ''Mack the Knife.'' And he gets a great assist from Alex Timbers, his wondrous cast and his joyously jazzy band.

(Below: Video of Groff in rehearsals for ''Just in Time'' )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oue7yHJ8bTY

Updated On: 4/9/25 at 01:48 PM

yyys said: "What's the running time of the show?"

Approximately 2:15 including intermission, per the show's official website.

I'll let others debate the fine points of the book's appropriateness for Darin's life, but I thought it was good enough for what this evening is: a great night of Groff doing what he does best with some very talented collaborators. It looks great. It sounds great. It feels great,. Just a very enjoyable show with a few tender moments.

Also, as a very tall person, it was nice to be in a seat with legroom and to not be blocking someone's view. I was in E102 right along the center railing and thought it was a perfect front-on view for the show. Given the staging I doubt any seat would be all that bad.

Updated On: 4/10/25 at 10:54 PM

Surprising that this was such a long-gestating project for Groff and company since it feels so slapdash. The book has some real groaners that try to inject some humor and heart into the otherwise by-the-numbers biographical beats. That Saved by the Bell-esque plot device of freezing time also gets old real fast. But having said all that, Groff’s star quality carries this a long way and, at the very least, they found a way to get him into a speedo.

I saw the first preview in March and would love to see it again, but won’t be back until the first week of August. Really hoping for a 2 week extension!!!

DramaTeach said: "Gracie Singing on Kelly Clarkson

The video above is an example of why I thought she was great. I know her band is going back on tour soon, but I hope she extends with the show."

She's flat much of the time.

Updated On: 4/17/25 at 08:04 PM

Has anyone done rush recently? I’m headed to NYC this weekend on a whim! And really hoping to experience this show again.

Auggie27 said: "This conceit of Groff as a character reminds me of - wait for it - The Skin of Our Teeth, wherein Sabina is really Lily, an actress playing Sabina who surfaces throughout all three acts. I raise it because it's not a new device but wonder why it's being used outside of a nightclub setting for a rather traditional juke show. From the commentary, it doesn't seem as if it's bothering everyone equally. I just feelsunnecessary to me."

I gather it's because, as Groff said in an interview, when they were doing a workshop in a church basement, he opened the show by saying (as himself) "this isn't the first time I've played straight in a church." He felt it established a connection with the audience to talk to them out of character.

It's not like Groff browbeats people with this information in the show. What I recall were humorous anecdotes that provided a bit of context.

Updated On: 4/19/25 at 04:30 PM