Based on the 92nd Street Y talk about ''Just in Time'' and interviews with Jonathan Groff, here's what happened: Eight years ago, Ted Chapin asked Groff to do a concert of Bobby Darin songs at the 92nd Street Y. It went over so well with the audiences that Groff wanted to turn it into a show. However, there was already a Bobby Darin musical called ''Dream Lover,'' starring David Campbell, down in Australia. Groff flew Down Under to see it, and it turned out to be a more conventional book musical. But Groff wanted to do a more immersive show, set in a nightclub, where Darin thrived, interacting with an audience. But he needed to get the rights from Dodd Darin, Bobby's son, to create a different show. And though Dodd was grateful to the success of ''Dream Lover'' in Australia, Groff won him over with his vision. Recently, Dodd's daughters saw ''Just in Time'' in NYC, and they gave glowing reports to their dad.
I never saw ''Dream Lover'' in Australia, but there is a cast recording, and it looks like they share about 8 of the same songs. After all, you can't cover Darin's life story without his signature songs, like ''Mack the Knife,'' ''Dream Lover,'' ''Splish Splash,'' ''The Curtain Falls,'' etc. Both shows deal with the basics of his life, but they have different books. And speaking of books, I can't wait to hear Dodd's thoughts after he sees ''Just in Time'' because he wrote ''Dream Lovers,'' his 1994 memoir about his father and his mother, Sandra Dee.
Meantime, ''Just in Time,'' which had been extended through Nov. 30, is now selling tickets through Jan. 11, 2026.
Updated On: 5/30/25 at 02:01 AM