Jonathan Groff to star in Bobby Darin Broadway musical ‘Just in Time’

The 2024 Tony Award winner will play the 20th-century musician and actor, whose greatest hits include “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and the title track.

He’s splashing back onto Broadway! Jonathan Groff will return to Broadway in the new musical Just in Time this spring. Performances begin at the Circle in the Square Theatre on March 28 ahead of an April 23 opening night.

Groff, a 2024 Tony Award winner for Merrily We Roll Along and past star of Hamilton and Spring Awakening, will play the iconic 20th-century musician. In his short life before passing away at 37, Darin rocketed to fame from the 1950-70s with covers of "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea" and original songs like "Splish Splash" and "Dream Lover." He also has Broadway ties: Just in Time’s title track, which Darin covered, was originally written by Jule Styne, Adolph Green, and Betty Comden for the musical Bells are Ringing.

Darin’s discography spans pop, rock and roll, jazz, folk, swing, and country. He later became a TV star with his own variety show and won a Golden Globe Award for starring in the film Come September.

“Bobby Darin was a supernova. He blazed his way through every corner of the entertainment industry, but his enormous talent, charisma, and pure genius were most on display when he was letting it rip in front of a crowd," Groff said in a statement. "This primal passionate love affair he had with the audience was the inspiration for our show's conceit.

“Alex Timbers's distinctive ability to make going to the theatre an unforgettable event and Bobby's signature musicality and explosive fleeting life make Broadway the perfect place to experience the story and essence of this once-in-a-lifetime talent.”

Earlier this year, Groff participated in a reading of Just in Time directed by Moulin Rouge! The Musical Tony winner Alex Timbers, who returns for the Broadway show. His production will transform the Circle in the Square into a nightclub with an onstage band for a semi-immersive experience.

Just in Time also features a book by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver, based on an original concept by Ted Chapin; choreography by Shannon Lewis,; and music supervision and arrangements by Andrew Resnick.

Additional cast and creative team members have yet to be announced.

Check back for information on Just in Time tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Photo credit: Jonathan Groff. (Photo courtesy of production)