New musical “Just in Time” about pop singer “Mack the Knife” to debut at Circle in the Square in Manhattan next spring.
Jonathan Groff, the Tony Award-winning actor from the revival of “Merrily We Roll Along,” is set to return to Broadway in a biomusical about Bobby Darin called “Just in Time.” The show, which has been in development for years, will begin previews on March 28 and open on April 23 at Circle in the Square Theater in Midtown Manhattan.
The production will feature an immersive nightclub-like staging with a 16-person cast, an onstage big band, two stages, and cabaret-style seating. The show originated as a concert called “The Bobby Darin Story” at the 92nd Street Y in 2018 and has since undergone several workshops to refine its concept and execution.
Groff, known for his roles in “Hamilton” and “Spring Awakening,” as well as his work on television and in Disney’s “Frozen” films, expressed his excitement for the project, citing the “kinetic magic” of performing Darin’s music live. Darin, a singer-songwriter of the 1950s and ’60s known for hits like “Splish Splash” and “Mack the Knife,” lived a dramatic life marked by health issues and personal revelations.
Director Alex Timbers, a Tony Award winner for “Moulin Rouge!,” highlighted the complexity of Darin’s story and the high-energy nature of his career. The musical, with a book by Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver, aims to offer a fresh perspective on the biomusical genre by exploring Darin’s life through the lens of a nightclub setting.
Lead producers Tom Kirdahy, Robert Ahrens, and John Frost are spearheading the production, which is being capitalized for up to $12.5 million. The musical promises a unique and experimental take on Darin’s life and legacy, blending storytelling with immersive staging to create an engaging and dynamic theater experience for audiences.
Source: The NY Times
