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. 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/3/26 at 2:15pm

BroadwayBen's review of Mathew Morrison in ''Just in Time'': ''Morrison is really excellent. ... It's hard to imagine a more perfect role for his big Broadway return [after 10 years] because this role is so in his wheelhouse. He gets to show off his singing, his acting, his dancing especially. He really nails the drive of Bobby Darin. His Bobby had a real intensity and I felt the ticking of the clock. ... It never feels like a replica of Jonathan's performance.  ... To be a good Bobby Darin, you need to be a showman, and Morrison is a showman. And seeing him in ['Just in Time'] felt really special.''

https://www.facebook.com/reel/923893237284800

 

Updated On: 4/3/26 at 02:15 PM

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 4/3/26 at 4:43pm

Alex Kulak2: “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."

Which is exactly why we shouldn’t be relying on that lazy and half-assed Google AI summary. 🙄 It took a single scroll past it to find the Vanity Fair article which tells you what really happened, but that’s clearly too much work for people (despite them being old enough to know better). 

Per Vanity Fair:

“Morrison disputed that account on Thursday via his Instagram. “It’s really unfortunate that I have to sit here and defend myself and my family against blatantly untrue statements made anonymously, but I have nothing to hide,” he said in a video. “So in the interest of transparency, I will read to you the one message that I wrote to a dancer on the show.”

He then read the alleged direct message: “Hey, it’s Matthew. If you don’t mind, would love to get your number and talk you through some things.”

“The end,” Morrison said after reading. “I sent this because this dancer and I both share a mutual respect for a choreographer that I’ve known for over 20 years, and I was trying to help her get a job as a choreographer on the show.” He continued: “It’s devastating that we live in this world where gossip rules and people’s lives are being thrown around as clickbait. I think this is much bigger than me and this story. Gossip is toxic and it is destroying our society, and we need to do better.”

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/4/26 at 7:46pm

In a post-show Q & A, Matthew Morrison raves about how much he loves performing ''Just in Time,'' but confesses ''it's the hardest thing I've ever done,'' and he had only two weeks to learn the entire show. Morrison also reveals which historical figure he'd write a musical about if he could (James Dean) and says his dream role is in his favorite musical: the Balladeer in ''Assassins.''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM8d-DaHOi4

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 4/5/26 at 2:57pm

I feel like it's possible some people have conflated Matthew Morrison and Mr. Schue?

All the clips I've seen from Just in Time with Morrison seem like he's fine in the role. Not at a Groff level of charisma of course, but no level of cringe detected? He seems perfectly competent in the part and seems to be enjoying it.

[Mary_Poppins]

Posted: 4/5/26 at 4:07pm

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.


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."

 

As someone who for years got much more insight into Glee and its fandom than I wanted I agree with all of the above.

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 4/5/26 at 5:16pm

Ive only got social media clips to go on, but the difference between Groff and Morrison looks night and day. With Morrison its giving very much cruise ship cabaret review. Where as Groff really exudes charisma and presence. 

I didnt rate Morrison in Finding Neverland, although that was a terrible show in fairness. But he just doesnt seem to have much charisma or stage presence. He gives off the vibe of someone trying to be (or thinking) he is cool, when he isnt. Which results in the cringe/cheese vibe.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/5/26 at 5:45pm

"In fairness", not everyone thought Finding Neverland was a terrible show. I and those that I went with loved it. And I really enjoyed Morrison in it. I really had no desire to see "Just In Time", and I like and have seen Groff onstage, so didn't see it when I came back to visit. Had Morrison been in the show at that time, I would probably have gone to see him. 

[monstro elisasue]

Posted: 4/5/26 at 8:14pm

Boy, it is a laugh reading a bunch of obviously failed wannabe.           “ actors “ with the charisma of a pile of manure criticising Matthew Morrison who originated multiple roles in hit Broadway shows getting  is Tony nominated and then Emmy nominated for a global hit tv musical.

Anyway you are probably late for your waitering job, I don’t want you missing rent from lost tips. Oh, while Groff has a boyfriend he still wouldn’t be able to maintain eye contact with your face in bed so don’t brother criticising the replacement on his behalf after he voluntary left the show. 

toodles

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 7:42am

Only thing more cringe than Matthew Morrison is creating a message board account just to troll on his behalf.

Updated On: 4/6/26 at 07:42 AM

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 8:31am

ColorTheHours048 said: "Only thing more cringe than Matthew Morrison is creating a message board account just to troll on his behalf."

I am willing to bet poster has multiple screen names and this is just the latest one.

 

[lala3]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 12:57pm

I think Morrison has plenty of charisma, but maybe not as much natural charm as Groff, who kinda comes off like an adorable puppy in his interviews(this is a compliment)

I will reiterate a post above however, that's it wholly unfair to compare a performance of someone who's only had two weeks of rehearsal to someone who's curated and developed the role and project for eight years, and  had the rehearsal time and weeks of previews.

On another note I just saw Jordan's video promo.

He does really seem the right era for this role.

Updated On: 4/6/26 at 12:57 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/6/26 at 6:55pm

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWG26bCOyGS/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 3:27pm

Isa Briones sings 'Who's Sorry Now?' Wow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDJE1lAzrC8

[Dolly80]

Posted: 4/7/26 at 4:12pm

She sounds amazing!

[PegasusOasis]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 10:12am

Saw the show last night. Matthew was excellent. He is doing less but his vocals are great. Though he did bring some new physicality toward the very end as Bobby’s heart is failing. Only other book changes was he talks about being back where he performed Rocky Horror. And he says it’s _____ night (instead of just in time in the basement..) during the curtain call medley. His deflation actually works for the character especially as you see through the eyes of Sandra Dee that he is kind of a self absorbed loser who only cares about performing. New Connie was incredible. 

but absolutely disgusting that Sadie Dickerson’s bio was left out of this limited run Playbill print and inserted as a slip as if she was an understudy (?!) her name is in it on other pages, so it’s not like she was unconfirmed at the time. She deserves a reprint. 

[Springtime]

Posted: 4/10/26 at 11:25pm

Groff always said which day it was in the curtain call. Only seemed to got it wrong twice in 402 performances. 

Updated On: 4/10/26 at 11:25 PM

[Lisalemann]

Posted: 4/13/26 at 6:09pm

PegasusOasis said: 

but absolutely disgusting that Sadie Dickerson’s bio was left out of this limited run Playbill print and inserted as a slip as if she was an understudy (?!) her name is in it on other pages, so it’s not like she was unconfirmed at the time. She deserves a reprint."

I agree with you on that - she's been with the show almost 6 months and her last day is April 19th - the same day as Morrison's last day - so how and why they left her off is baffling.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 4/13/26 at 6:23pm

On a very very serious note 🧐, how’s the “Splish Splash” scene? 😆