Just In Time 2.0 - Matthew Morrison

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/31/26 at 4:51pm

Tony nominee Matthew Morrison returns to Broadway for the first time in a decade as Bobby Darin in “Just In Time.

Tony winner Jonathan Groff will played his final performance in the role on March 29.

Morrison is your Bobby Darin for a three-week engagement April 1 -  April 19 at the Circle in the Square Theatre. Current “The Great Gatsby” star Jeremy Jordan will then step into the role on April 21.

Anyone going?

Updated On: 3/31/26 at 04:51 PM

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 3/31/26 at 5:51pm

[Dolly80]

Posted: 3/31/26 at 6:57pm

It’s going to a cringe fest

[veronicamae]

Posted: 3/31/26 at 7:19pm

I'll be going as I want to see Isa Briones. It is unfortunate that she 1) didn't overlap with Groff and 2) tickets are priced higher when she does overlap w/ Jordan. C'est la vie!

[swright1031]

Posted: 3/31/26 at 7:26pm

What are the odds this ends up on tdf during his run? I have a morbid curiosity and I do want to see Isa Briones but I’d like to spend as little as possible on it. Not sure if I should just grab an $89 seat that’s left or wait and see 

[Springtime]

Posted: 3/31/26 at 9:53pm

Shows with Morrison have already been on TDF.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 12:04pm

swright1031 said: "morbid curiosity"

Is Morrison really so disliked as to justify this weird turn of phrase?

[JSquared2]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 12:07pm

Dolly80 said: "It’s going to a cringe fest"

 

Oh, pipe down.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 1:47pm

kdogg36 said: "swright1031 said: "morbid curiosity"

Is Morrison really so disliked as to justify this weird turn of phrase?"

[lala3]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 5:57pm

I found the "cringe" factor of his character on Glee mostly trumped up by teen stans of the show who didn't like his character because he crossed one of their faves.

I was a part of the Glee fandom and mostly found them ridiculous and inventing and exaggerating aspects of his character.

Critics also went to town on his character because that's what they do. Some of it was fair, but some of it was just plain derision.

And like many characters on Glee he was written inconsistently and suffered by messy and unclear writing.

This formed an unshakable disdain for him. I never saw the Grinch so I can't speak to it. I think he made a choice that perhaps didn't quite work in tone. But I also think it's a huge cult figure that very few would be applauded for taking on. Even Jim Carrey had several detractors and was also accused of cringe.

 

The SYTYCD was really a non starter in the end.

 

I agree he can be over earnest in his performances. But one thing I came to realize the other day reading this thread and watching his interviews for Just in Time and his road show is it's kinda how he comes across in real life. But I do really think he means what he says and puts out in the universe.

I do think he has a darker side he's afraid to put out there. He's admitted as much himself particularly regarding his sense of humour being off putting.

I also think he's not always completely comfortable in his own skin when doing interviews. He also has no sense of false modesty which I think some see as arrogant.

But the hate for him reminds me of the hate for Ben Platt and Sydney Sweeney of late. Just not commensurate with anything they've done in their careers or said.

Just my two cents.

And IMHO Groff has had some kind of cheesy and cringey moments from the stuff I've seen. I think it's that kind of show to be honest.

[Observation]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 6:10pm

I mean, I guess... I didn't watch Glee, but will see videos from his stage shows and I just am put off by them. The 9/11 story/interpretive dance is wild to me. I'll chalk it up to just not being my cup of tea.

 

lala3 said: "I found the "cringe" factor of his character on Glee mostly trumped up by teen stans of the show who didn't like his character because he crossed one of their faves.

I was a part of the Glee fandom and mostly found them ridiculous and inventing and exaggerating aspects of his character.

Critics also went to town on his character because that's what they do. Some of it was fair, but some of it was just plain derision.

And like many characters on Glee he was written inconsistently and suffered by messy and unclear writing.

This formed an unshakable disdain for him. I never saw the Grinch so I can't speak to it. I think he made a choice that perhaps didn't quite work in tone. But I also think it's a huge cult figure that very few would be applauded for taking on. Even Jim Carrey had several detractors and was also accused of cringe.



The SYTYCD was really a non starter in the end.



I agree he can be over earnest in his performances. But one thing I came to realize the other day reading this thread and watching his interviews for Just in Time and his road show is it's kinda how he comes across in real life. But I do really think he means what he says and puts out in the universe.

I do think he has a darker side he's afraid to put out there. He's admitted as much himself particularly regarding his sense of humour being off putting.

I also think he's not always completely comfortable in his own skin when doing interviews. He also has no sense of false modesty which I think some see as arrogant.

But the hate for him reminds me of the hate for Ben Platt and Sydney Sweeney of late. Just not commensurate with anything they've done in their careers or said.

Just my two cents.

And IMHO Groff has had some kind of cheesy and cringey moments from the stuff I've seen. I think it's that kind of show to be honest."

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 7:17pm

JUST IN TIME 2.0 Matthew Morrison MERCH

Updated On: 4/1/26 at 07:17 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/1/26 at 11:43pm

I have no issues with Morrison. I feel he is talented. That being said, I have never experienced him as a warm performer. I’ll be curious how he sells the show to audiences. 
 

I think what elevated this show from a Vegas revue to a zeitgeist theatrical moment was the affable Jonathan Groff. He was so vulnerable and likable that you gave over to him and trusted him. You were willing to take the journey with him and suspend disbelief. He sounds nothing like Darin but it didn’t matter. His charm and talent won you over. 
 

I went into this show kicking and screaming. I didn’t want to pay top dollar for a knock off Vegas revue. Jonathan leading his exceptional cast scooped me right up into his heart pocket and had me on cloud nine against my will. That’s otherworldly. 
 

That’s an indescribable quality that his predecessors are up against. People left that show telling others to be sure to see Groff. People returned to experience how he made them feel again. It’s not a plug and play show as much as producers probably wish it was. I think warmth and connection are the main quality at play. 
 

Speaking of trust, I do think being Groff being gay is a quality that appeals to throngs of straight woman. I think that explains some of the hysteria. I don’t know the precise psychology behind it but it is a phenomenon that exists. Maybe they can love someone who they know isn’t objectifying them and who they are safe with. There’s tons of fan fiction written about gay performers by straight women. 
 

I think the mountain for Groff’s replacements is getting everyone in that room to feel your love and that’s no small feat. He made it look effortless and genuine. 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 12:22am

I've always found Matthew Morrison a warm and sunny leading man, so I fully expect him to make a big ''Splish-Splash'' as Bobby Darin in ''Just in Time.'' I've seen him in practically every Broadway show he's done, from ''Footloose'' to ''Finding Neverland,'' from ''The Light in the Piazza'' to ''South Pacific,'' and ''Just in Time'' marks his 8th credit on the Great White Way. If you've ever caught his cabaret/club act, you'll also know he's a consummate song-and-dance man. He's a Tony nominee and three-time Drama Desk nominee for his stage work, and thanks to TV's ''Glee,'' an Emmy nominee, a two-time Golden Globe nominee and a SAG Award winner. But I'm glad he's finally back on Broadway where he belongs. 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Video-Inside-Matthew-Morrison-and-Isa-Briones-First-JUST-IN-TIME-Finale-20260401

[OhHiii]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 5:24am

Well the videos of him released from the end of the show are entirely void of charisma and energy. Maybe he isn’t settled in but he better hurry up. This show’s success rides on Bobby being infectious from the start. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 5:53am

There appears to be a phenomenon now when a performer who in the past has been celebrated, has their talent suddenly refracted through whatever they did that was cancelable. Just because someone did something untoward would never take away from their actual talent. You can choose not to see them because they disgust you, but it never lessens their talent. I think this is mostly a younger person's problem. The Gen Z of it all.

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 7:25am

Morrison is in the show for three weeks.  Even if he is not received well, any damage he can do is fairly limited and likely to be very short-term.

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 8:37am

SteveSanders said: "Morrison is in the show for three weeks. Even if he is not received well, any damage he can do is fairly limited and likely to be very short-term."

Exactly. He is "holding the fort down" until Jeremy Jordan takes over. 

 

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 9:05am

The early reports on Morrison mostly say that he's alright, even if he doesn't quite have as much energy as Groff did. He seems to give off more of a "lounge singer" vibe, which works here as well.

Briones, meanwhile, is getting across-the-board praise. It's good to see her back on Broadway. 

 

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 11:03am

BrodyFosse123 said: "kdogg36 said: "swright1031 said: "morbid curiosity"

Is Morrison really so disliked as to justify this weird turn of phrase?"

"

For the record, the SYTYCD thing is not true. He sent a DM to a dancer on the show to get her a job as a choreographer. Still unprofessional and inappropriate, but more due to showing favoritism than being flirty or harassing.

[Observation]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 11:10am

I was also hoping to see a recoupment announcement before Groff left. They've gotta be close, right? I know shows aren't obligated to announce anything, but curious if there's any insider info on that. 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 11:18am

Observation said: "I was also hoping to see a recoupment announcement before Groff left. They've gotta be close, right? I know shows aren't obligated to announce anything, but curious if there's any insider info on that."

They had to have recouped or be super duper close. For the show to do as well as it has in that space for a year, if they haven't recouped or aren't close then there was some seriously bad budgeting. It's hard to think of a new musical in recent years that has so consistently way overperformed at the box office.

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 11:19am

Would love to see MM in the show, but I'll miss him by a week, and will be seeing JJ as Bobby D.  Saw JG twice in the show.  Have always enjoyed seeing MM perform over the years -  be in on the Broadway stage, or concert halls.  Such a talent.  

Updated On: 4/2/26 at 11:19 AM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 12:27pm

Geez, Matthew Morrison just performed his FIRST performance in ''Just in Time,'' and some folks already want to write him off (some without even seeing the show). Jonathan Groff left giant, giant shoes to fill, and ''Just in Time'' is a beast of a show to learn and perform. Bobby Darin is practically onstage through 2-and-a-half-hours; sings a ton of songs, and dances up a storm. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to memorize all those lyrics, dialogue and choreography. It's unreasonable to think anyone could match Groff, especially when Groff developed the show over 8 years and had months to prepare for HIS first preview. 

Anyway, I've seen pretty good praise from some folks on Reddit who were actually there last night. And they were even impressed that Morrison still managed to stage-door and greet everyone after what must've been an exhausting tour de force. I hope to see him soon, and hope he'll either head the national tour and/or return to Circle in the Square for a longer stint. ''Just in Time'' is selling merchandise featuring Morrison, and I can't imagine them making that kind of investment without thinking his future with the show is only this 3-week run.

Updated On: 4/3/26 at 12:27 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 12:42pm

Morrison always reminds me of the studly Dennis Morgan in Christmas in Connecticut, and I say it every year when the film shows on TCM for the holidays. (Google it if you don't believe me.) A seemingly random observation that has relevance here because he has genuine movie star-like charisma, if of the slick Dennis Morgan variety. Oddly enough, that flavor of caddish insouciance is closer to the real Darin than the boyish, wide-eyed Groff. So instead of a man unlike Bobby disappearing into a capture (rather than an impersonation), we have a guy with the Darin self-presentation sliding in. I'm curious how the show pays without Groff willfully morphing into the performer. The show is as much about that transformation.

Updated On: 4/2/26 at 12:42 PM