Just In Time 2.0 - Matthew Morrison- Page 2

[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

[Lisalemann]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 2:17pm

Bettyboy72 said: 
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.

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 agree with most of your post - but I think that the hysteria for Groff would be even more fervent if he were straight (and it's borderline insanity now). I've always liked him as a performer - but I never thought he was "hot" until this show. He's just a truly unique and charismatic performer - my elderly mom who was a huge Bobby Darin fan had no idea who he was until I took her to the show - now she likes him better than Hugh Jackman - which is high praise from her :)

I think both Morrison and Jordan have high hills to climb with this one - but the entire cast is so talented - I think they will make it - the producers have been extremely smart with casting in this production - I think they know what they are doing. I will say I am thinking that Morrison may be headlining the tour as I'm not sure why they would commission merchandise with him on it if that were not the case.


 

 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 4:33pm

Lisalemann said: "Bettyboy72 said:
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.

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 agree with most of your post - but I think that the hysteria for Groff would be even more fervent if he were straight (and it's borderline insanity now).I've always liked him as a performer - but I never thought he was "hot" until this show. He's just a truly unique and charismatic performer - my elderly mom who was a huge Bobby Darin fan had no idea who he was until I took her to the show - now she likes him better than Hugh Jackman - which is high praise from her :)

I think both Morrison and Jordan have high hills to climb with this one - but the entire cast is so talented - I think they will make it - the producers have been extremely smart with casting in this production - I think they know what they are doing. I will say I am thinking that Morrison may be headlining the tour as I'm not sure why they would commission merchandise with him on it if that were not the case.”

All great points. If Morrison is leading the tour that’s brilliant. He will sell like gangbusters. 



"

 

[Back Row]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 4:37pm

When Jordan was announced as Groff's successor, they made a point of saying that the show would be tailored to take advantage of his strengths, which I assume means that there would be less dancing, more extemporaneous interaction with the audience (something that seems to come easy to him after years of doing cabaret shows). I'm curious if similar adjustments have been made for Morrison (more dancing, less talking, etc.), or was he able to just step right into the role?

I will confess that I'm not a big fan of Morrison, for no other reason than my own perception of his performing style (Hi!, I'm Matt Morrison and you're welcome!"). I know that some people feel the same way about Jordan, but for some reason he doesn't annoy me as much as Morrison. I was able to see both in Finding Neverland. Jordan came off as simply Jeremy Jordan playing J. M. Barrie, and Morrison came off as Matthew Morrison playing Matthew Morrison as J.M. Barrie. He just did not seem to be willing to leave Matthew Morrison behind. 

Regardless of how I feel about Morrison, I hope that both he and Jordan have successful runs in this show so it can continue to provide work for this talented cast. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 4:49pm

Important distinction:

For the vast majority of shows, the SHOW does not pay to have the merch produced: The merch company does (Creative Goods). The show gets a small cut of the sales, and it's nominal income for most shows that aren't HAMILTON.

The producers (pushed by Morrison's agents) may have made it conditional that Creative Goods produces a Morrison mug, magnet, shirt, and poster if they would like to keep the account. Morrison probably also gets a small cut of the sale of items bearing his name. These companies are pretty good at guesstimating inventory needs so as not to waste their own money.

All that to say, we should not view this as any bearing for MM's future with the show. Though in 3 weeks, Creative Goods will probably store the extra MM merch somewhere in the event that he returns to the show.

Updated On: 4/2/26 at 04:49 PM

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 6:57pm

What do they do with the Groff biographical portions of the book?

[Springtime]

Posted: 4/2/26 at 8:28pm

Isaac Oliver (co-book writer) updates the introduction for every actor in the role,

Morrison said in an interview they included more dance elements in his role.