‘JUST IN TIME’: Jonathan Groff. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

JUST IN TIME
Book by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver
Based on an original concept by Ted Chapin
Music supervision & arrangements by Andrew Resnick
Choreography by Shannon Lewis
Directed by Alex Timbers
Through September 6, 2026
Circle in the Square
235 W 50th St.
https://justintimebroadway.com/

Editor’s Note: Jeremy Jordan has taken over the role of Bobby Darin. Isa Briones is now in the role of Connie Francis, and Carrie St. Louis is now playing Sandra Dee.

By Scott Harrah

Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff gives his best performance to date in Just in Time, the new Broadway musical about the iconic Bobby Darin, the velvet-voiced pop singer of the 1950s and 1960s who died at age 37.  Mr. Groff brings the man who sang such classics as “Splish Splash,” “Mack the Knife,” “Dream Lover” and “Beyond the Sea” to vivid life in the best “jukebox musical” since Jersey Boys nearly two decades ago. One doesn’t need to be a Bobby Darin fan to appreciate the nonstop energy that Mr. Groff brings to the role.

Broadway via the Copacabana & Las Vegas

Scenic designer Derek McLane has turned Circle in the Square into a glorious retro nightclub that pays homage to the venerable Copacabana in Manhattan and the glitzy Las Vegas lounge stages of yesteryear. It’s a winning tribute to a bygone era when stylish ladies and gentlemen would gather in cozy, intimate nightclubs to sip cocktails, smoke cigarettes and marvel at the latest pop crooners of the day. Shortly after the show opens, Mr. Groff reminds us that he’s not the real Bobby Darin and we’re actually watching this spectacle “in the basement of Wicked.”

What’s more, the mellifluous orchestrations by music supervisor Andrew Resnick and Michael Thurber bring all the ebullient brass and jazz-hot sounds of a “big band” orchestra to the Broadway stage. This lets audiences immerse themselves in the nostalgic glory of the classic songs being performed.

As an added treat, we see performances by two of Mr. Darin’s real-life romantic partners: The inimitable, golden-throated pop queen Connie Francis (Gracie Lawrence); and “America’s sweetheart,” movie superstar Sandra Dee (Erika Henningsen), who was briefly married to Mr. Darin. Both women, like Bobby Darin himself, lived very public, volatile lives and were scandalous tabloid fodder in their heyday and beyond.

An icon & his lady loves

Bobby Darin (real name Walden Robert Cassotto) had a short but dramatic life. Growing up in East Harlem, New York, he suffered from bouts of rheumatic fever as a child and doctors said he would only live to be 16, but he proved them wrong.

He started out as a songwriter for Ms. Francis. She was already a household name with such hits as “Stupid Cupid” and “Who’s Sorry Now?” Darin immediately took a shine to the star and she was also smitten with him, but her parents did not approve.

Goody-two-shoes matinee idol Sandra Dee also won his heart. After pouring on lots of charm and giving flowers to her demanding, overprotective mother (Valeria Yamin), Mr. Darin got her blessing and was allowed to date Ms. Dee while filming Come September in Portofino, Italy in 1960. She was just 18 and he was 24 at the time. They had a brief, passionate affair and later married. Ms. Dee and Mr. Darin had one child, son Dodd, before divorcing.

Scandalous family secret

Mr. Darin was raised by Polly Walden (Michele Pawk), his nurturing mother. His older sister Nina (Emily Bergl)  looks out for him as if she is his nanny. When Mr. Darin becomes successful, he hires Nina’s husband—his brutish brother-in-law, Charlie Maffia (Joe Barbara)—as his personal valet. All three family members have been keeping a scandalous secret from Bobby all his life and his world is shattered when he learns the truth

Outstanding performances

Director Alex Timbers skillfully directs the gifted cast, all of whom give outstanding performances.

The supporting cast are certainly worth noting. Gracie Lawrence is superb as Connie Francis, singing the nostalgic star’s songs with the right mix of zest and vulnerability. Ms. Lawrence’s take on the Connie Francis standard “Who’s Sorry Now?” is one of the show’s highlights. She also captures the singer’s demure presence and powerhouse presence with aplomb. That’s no easy task considering Ms. Francis was a superstar in the 1950s and 1960s, singing both pop chart-toppers as well as ethnic standards. Songs from her two albums Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites and Connie Francis Sings Jewish Favorites are still played at many Italian and Jewish weddings today.

Erika Henningsen also gives a knockout portrayal of Sandra Dee, another megastar from the era. Ms. Henningsen brings all the saccharine sweetness and melodrama to the character, and does so with consistent conviction. It’s quite a departure from her most famous Broadway role, originating the lead part of Cady Heron in Mean Girls. 

Michele Pawk as Polly Walden, and Emily Bergl as Nina, both bring plausibility to their respective roles, and each has a unique and crisp voice. Valeria Yamin is magnificent as Sandra Dee’s overbearing mother.

Noteworthy supporting cast

Other noteworthy supporting performances include the always-delightful Cesar Samayoa (How to Dance in Ohio and Come From Away). Mr. Samayoa really nails the part of 1970s music maven Don Kirshner, the man who discovered many pop and rock greats, including Bobby Darin. Gen X audiences will remember his 1970s TV show “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert.”  Mr. Samayoa has an amazing voice and does a fine job portraying Mr. Kirshner as well as other small parts in the show. In addition, Joe Barbara is the ultimate New York tough guy as Charlie, Bobby’s personal valet and brother-in-law.

Jonathan Groff’s best role yet

Bobby Darin is the role Jonathan Groff was born to play. He won a Tony Award for Merrily We Roll Along and was nominated for a Tony for his portrayal of Mad King George in Hamilton. However, he is at the top of his game here. Mr. Groff has the charm, acting chops and beautifully textured voice to bring Bobby Darin back to glorious life. He sweats profusely and is a manic, energized force who keeps us riveted and mesmerized from the moment the show starts and he never lets up. Don’t miss Just in Time.

Editor’s note: Just in Time received six 2025 Tony Award nominations, including one for Jonathan Groff for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical.

Published April 30, 2025
Reviewed at press performance on April 26, 2025

‘JUST IN TIME’: Jonathan Groff & cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘JUST IN TIME’: Gracie Lawrence. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘JUST IN TIME’: Jonathan Groff & cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘JUST IN TIME’: Gracie Lawrence (Connie Francis) & Jonathan Groff (Bobby Darin). Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘JUST IN TIME’: Christine Cornish, Jonathan Groff & Julia Grondin. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘JUST IN TIME’: Valeria Yamin, Michele Pawk & Julia Grondin. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘JUST IN TIME’: Erika Henningsen. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘JUST IN TIME’: (left) Emily Bergl; (right) Caesar Samayoa. Photos: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman & Caesar Samayoa is courtesy of Polk PR.

The post ‘Just in Time’: Jonathan Groff is Bobby Darin appeared first on StageZine.

‘MEAN GIRLS’: (left to right) Erika Henningsen, Ashley Park, Taylor Louderman & Kate Rockwell. Photo: Joan Marcus

MEAN GIRLS
Book by Tina Fey
Music by Jeff Richmond
Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
Directed & choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
August Wilson Theatre
245 West 52nd Street
(877-250-2929), meangirlsonbroadway.com/

By David NouNou

Regardless of whether you’ve seen or know anything about Tina Fey’s 2004 movie Mean Girls, it has now been adapted as Broadway musical by Ms. Fey. The one thing you have to know is the title tells the whole story in an extremely entertaining way. Thanks to Ms. Fey’s clever and funny book and especially under the creative control of director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw, the fun never stops.

The story is one we’ve all experienced in high school; whether you were with the “in”crowd or out, athlete or dweeb, cool or a nerd, pretty or plain, smart or borderline D-. It is all here. Depending upon which category you fell in, it could conjure either good memories or nightmares. Thank God, I attended a private school back in the day full of primarily Jewish students, so there was minimal bullying and the school wasn’t strong in the athletic department. The school excelled then and still does in the brain department. Of course, I was in the drama department; no bullying there.

Similar to Clueless and Heathers, where the beautiful girls torment the rest of the student body, this story has the comeuppance of the gorgeous mean girl, Regina George (Taylor Louderman) and the outsider who just enrolled in a new school, Cady Heron ( Erika Henningsen) and the conflict she faces to fit in at this peer-pressure-filled environment.

Since the story is an obvious one, I would like to showcase it from the standpoint of its components. Ms. Fey’s book constantly moves, she gives everyone an equal opportunity to the point that some of it seems like filler. The music by Ms. Fey’s husband, Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, are catchy and memorable. They encapsulate each person and cliques, which at times also feels like filler. However, it is the great Casey Nicholaw who injects his usual flair for the production numbers that always keeps the musical and numbers moving.

By describing the players, you can piece together the plotline. For starters, as an ensemble, the cast members all work together perfectly. They can sing, dance, and are full of energy. Erika Henningsen, the home-schooled math genius and the new kid in school, is a delight. Her transformation from the spunky outsider to the leader of the pack is gradual and delightful and brings the proper pathos when she finds out it’s not what it’s all cracked up to be. On the other hand, Taylor Louderman as the two-faced Regina George, is sensational. She has come a long way from her Broadway debut as the innocent Campbell in Bring It On.

The supporting cast are remarkable and unforgettable. Ashley Park as the fragile mean girl Gretchen Wieners has a powerhouse voice and is a constant delight. Kate Rockwell as Karen Smith, the gorgeous but dumb blonde, is hysterical. Barrett Wilbert Weed as Janis Sarkisian and Grey Henson as Damien, the outsiders as well as the narrators of the show, are divine, their working off each other is terrific. Naturally there is the jock, Kyle Selig as Aaron Samuels brings not only his good looks but sincerity to his role. Kerry Butler, a Broadway favorite playing multiple female adult roles (from a mom to a teacher), is her usual expert self and can still pass for a mean girl.

In conclusion, the show has bounce and verve, it’s joyful and has a healing message; it’s colorful and a delight. Skip the usual tedious musical revivals and go enjoy the fresh new musical Mean Girls and maybe you’ll see yourself on that stage and have a chuckle and ask yourself,  “Was I really like that?”

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 13, 2018
Reviewed at press performance on April 12, 2018

‘MEAN GIRLS’: Barrett Wilbert Weed & company. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘MEAN GIRLS’: (left to right) Ben Cook, Nikhil Saboo, Cheech Manohar, Erika Henningsen & Kerry Butler. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘MEAN GIRLS’: Taylor Louderman. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘MEAN GIRLS’: Grey Henson, Barrett Wilbert Weed & Erika Henningsen. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘MEAN GIRLS’: (left to right) Ashley Park, Taylor Louderman, Kate Rockwell & Erika Henningsen. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘MEAN GIRLS’: Kyle Selig & Erika Henningsen. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘MEAN GIRLS’: Barrett Wilbert Weed & Grey Henson. Photo: Joan Marcus

‘MEAN GIRLS’: Kerry Butler & Erika Henningsen. Photo: Joan Marcus

The post ‘Mean Girls’: Awesome adaptation of hit film appeared first on StageZine.