Just In Time- Page 3

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 9:45am

Strange that they sent that text out announcing Gracie and Erika, but in the official press release they make no mention of Erika or even when the role of Sandra Dee will be announced.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 11:54am

Kinda disappointed Groff isn’t emulating Bobby Darin’s trademark voice and stylings for this. It’s basically Jonathan Groff SINGS Bobby Darin - not Jonathan Groff AS Bobby Darin. Audra emulated Billie Holiday’s trademark singing voice for LADY DAY and I was hoping this was going to be the same direction for JUST IN TIME. Nope. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 4:57pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Kinda disappointed Groff isn’t emulating Bobby Darin’s trademark voice and stylings for this. It’s basically Jonathan Groff SINGS Bobby Darin - not Jonathan Groff AS Bobby Darin. Audra emulated Billie Holiday’s trademark singing voice for LADY DAY and I was hoping this was going to be the same direction for JUST IN TIME. Nope."

Really disappointed. Groff isn't a bad singer (obviously), but there is nothing particularly notable about his voice. When I listened to the YouTube videos of his singing, I wondered why he wasn't emulating Darin. Kevin Spacey did a great job in Beyond the Sea and I still listen to his reenactments along with Darin's. Maybe it's because I was a kid when Darin was at his height, but his voice and inflections were what made him special. Wonder what Connie Francis is going to sound like.

On another note, Will Swenson did a great job with Neil Diamond and Jessie Mueller was wonderful as Carole King.

[Sammy232]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 6:27pm

I'm guessing that they are going for Groff fans, not necessarily Bobby Darin fans? Darin had his big hits in 1959-1960 ish, his fans would be in their eighties+ now, which certainly limits the audience. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 7:43pm

Sammy232 said: "I'm guessing that they are going for Groff fans, not necessarily Bobby Darin fans? Darinhad his big hits in 1959-1960 ish, his fans would be in their eighties+ now, which certainly limits the audience."

I agree with the age thing, I'm in my 70s and wasn't quite a teen then but adored Sandra Dee and followed their relationship. Nevertheless, if you are doing a show about Bobby Darin, then make the attempt to do Bobby Darin, like Kevin Spacey, Will Swenson and Jessie Mueller (Diamond and King - also of that era). Darrin was a much bigger star than Groff is or will likely ever be (I'm guessing). If Darin hadn't been, there wouldn't be a Broadway show created around his life. 

I would add Audra MacDonald as Billie Holliday as someone here mentioned. If you look at movies you have Diana Ross as Billie Holiday, Jessica Lange as Patsy Cline, Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn, and Renee Zelleweger as Judy Garland. While certainly not having the same voice, an attempt was made to sound like those singers.

Updated On: 1/14/25 at 07:43 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 8:17pm

Jessica Lange lip-synced to Patsy Cline’s recorded voice in SWEET DREAMS. They created new orchestrations for the songs, so they felt “live” and used Patsy’s real voice recordings to which Lange lip-synced to. Lange recently said in an interview she loved the experience of hearing Patsy’s voice on the loudspeakers while she was singing full out on set so she felt like it was her own voice making that glorious singing voice. 

[Ensemble1727285844]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 8:42pm

Groff has talked about there being a 'conceit' to the show where he is talking to the audience as himself, at least at the start of the show. That could be the reason why he's not impersonating Darin in clips. 

[Penna2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 8:44pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Jessica Lange lip-synced to Patsy Cline’s recorded voice in SWEET DREAMS. They created new orchestrations for the songs, so they felt “live” and used Patsy’s real voice recordings to which Lange lip-synced to. Lange recently saidin an interview she loved the experience of hearing Patsy’s voice on the loudspeakers while she was singing full out on set so she felt like it was her own voice making that glorious singing voice."

True. I remember that now. I wasn't sure if it was Lange or Spacek who lip-synced. I guess my point was, these actors actually "acted."

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 8:45pm

Lawrence was set to perform on Long Island in late March. (I think it was actually the day before previews begin.) - That show has since been rescheudled for Halloween night.

Safe to assume, then, that Gracie only signed a 6 month contract?

[Penna2]

Posted: 1/14/25 at 8:50pm

Ensemble1727285844 said: "Groff has talked about there being a 'conceit' to the show where he is talking to the audience as himself, at least at the start of the show. That could be the reason why he's not impersonating Darin in clips."

Conceit is a good word. for it. The other thing that bothers me about the show is the ad...looks more like Sinatra than Darin, although Bobby may have used the hat thing - the fedora was a signature of Sinatra's. Also, the title...I would have chosen Once Upon a Time. Just in Time was more of a Sinatra song...or Tony Bennett's. 

Just a fussy old lady, but I was a big fan...still am, with the exception of Splish Splash, I loved all his music and his story. Seems like a disservice to the man and the artist. For all his faults, Spacey did a great job with Beyond the Sea. He was a real fan, too.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 10:10am

Henningsen just confirmed via press release.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 12:08pm

https://playbill.com/article/erika-henningsen-completes-cast-of-broadways-just-in-time-starring-jonathan-groff

 

Amazing cast!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/17/25 at 9:55pm

was just checking out the cast list. there's two covers for Charlie Maffia, but nobody is listed to be playing that role. has that actor not been announced? Is that the character Joe Barbara plays(Steve Blauner)?

Updated On: 2/17/25 at 09:55 PM

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 2/17/25 at 10:29pm

Haven’t we seen rehearsal pictures? John Treacy Egan? I feel like if it was someone else, we would’ve heard by now, no? When Henningsen was announced, they said she completes the cast.

Updated On: 2/17/25 at 10:29 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 2/24/25 at 1:50pm

Going by the NYT ad, this appears to be co-orchestrated by Michael Thurber (composer/lyricist of the upcoming GODDESS at the Public) along with Andrew Resnick (the show's music supervisor/arranger). This will be the first Broadway arrangement/orchestration credit for both.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 7:49pm

First two Previews cancelled

[ACL2006]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 7:59pm

KevinKlawitter said: "First two Previews cancelled"

never a good sign.

[mshalo18]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 8:18pm

ACL2006 said: "KevinKlawitter said: "First two Previews cancelled"

never a good sign."

The email to ticketholders said that "Transforming the theatre into an intimate nightclub is taking longer than anticipated, and everyone on the production wants to provide you the very best Broadway experience imaginable."

The sky doesn't sound like it's falling just yet.

[sm33]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 8:33pm

I've got tickets for April 2nd, so I hope the new first preview date sticks. A shame for all the folks who planned to attend the first couple dates, but at least they are giving ample notice. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 3/18/25 at 9:42pm

Bummer. I had a ticket for first preview. Ah well. I plan to just check and see what the rush policy is rather than rebooking as I know I can't make it to the new first preview date March 31st.

In the email it also stated they're offering us a tote bag which is nice of them!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 12:55pm

Broadway.com's Paul Wontorek has done a beautiful interview with Jonathan Groff, a Tony winner who sang ''Our Time'' in ''Merrily,'' and will debut in ''Just in Time.''

If you don't know anything about the twists and turns of Bobby Darin's life, this video will include spoilers, so watch it after you'll seen ''Just in Time.''

But if you're a fan of Darin (as I am), this interview shows the depth of Groff's dedication to celebrating the many aspects of Darin's career.

Wontorek also asks Groff to reflect on the legacy of another amazing performer, Gavin Creel, whom Groff once dated and was influential in his coming out.

Time flies! I interviewed Groff when he was only 21 in ''Spring Awakening'' Off-Broadway, and on March 26, he'll turn 40. Happy birthday, Jonathan!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1LnEc59Olo

Updated On: 3/20/25 at 12:55 PM

[Lisalemann]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 6:29pm

Sammy232 said: "I'm guessing that they are going for Groff fans, not necessarily Bobby Darin fans? Darinhad his big hits in 1959-1960 ish, his fans would be in their eighties+ now, which certainly limits the audience."

You've got a pretty good point there. Example - I am bringing my 87-year-old mom there on her birthday weekend in July and she's looking forward to it - regardless (we're also seeing Hugh Jackman at Radio City).  She was an original Bobby Darin fan - and there're aren't too many left.

 

[Penna2]

Posted: 3/20/25 at 6:58pm

Lisalemann said: "Sammy232 said: "I'm guessing that they are going for Groff fans, not necessarily Bobby Darin fans? Darinhad his big hits in 1959-1960 ish, his fans would be in their eighties+ now, which certainly limits the audience."

You've got a pretty good point there. Example - I am bringing my 87-year-old mom there on her birthday weekend in July and she's looking forward to it - regardless (we're also seeing Hugh Jackman at Radio City). She was an original Bobby Darin fan - and there're aren't too many left.

While your point is valid to some extent. There is something about Darin that is more than his recordings. The way he lived believing he could die at any moment and his death at age 37 makes him somewhat of an icon. From what I have heard about the show it is Groff singing Darin in a Darin-like environment. Unlike Kevin Spacey who attempted to replicate Darin (his presentation of the songs sound a lot like Darin's). More than his recordings though, Darin achieved his greatest success as a nightclub performer along with television performances. Like many stage performers, he liked the interaction with the audience - something I believe Groff likes as well and what seems to be the goal of the show. I gathered that from the interview - despite being almost complete opposites as people, Groff said his connection was through the music and how both of them feel/felt about it. The intention appears to be a real honorarium to Darin. 

One other thing about the age of people who would come to see this...you have two major actors - one making a film and another now creating a stage show about a singer from the 60s suggests a greater interest than just from senior citizens.

 

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/23/25 at 7:42pm

No code for this yet, right?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/28/25 at 4:26pm

Following the cancellation of its first two preview performances due to production delays, a show representative has just confirmed that Just in Time has officially moved its official opening night to Saturday, April 26, 2025. The new musical has also added an additional performance on Thursday, April 24 at 7pm.  Just in Time’s opening celebration will remain on its originally announced opening date of Wednesday, April 23. Despite the change, the show will still open within the Tony Awards eligibility cutoff (April 27).

ALSO: I hadn't noticed that this year's Tony eligibility cutoff date is a Sunday. Typically it's on a Thursday (the final Thursday of April). This year, noms will be announced on Thursday, May 1.

Updated On: 3/28/25 at 04:26 PM