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.