A Show to See ‘Just In Time’ for Jonathan Groff’s Departure

For those who yearn for the Golden Age of Hollywood, Groff delivers a larger-than-life performance worthy of an audience at the Copacabana.

By Sabrina Oliveri

A jukebox musical never felt so good in the intimate, nightclub-transformed Circle In The Square theatre as Just In Time. The show recounts the life and death of famed crooner Bobby Darin, played by Tony and Grammy Award winner Jonathan Groff.

Alongside Groff, Just In Time features Sarah Hyland as Connie Francis and Sadie Dickerson as Sandra Dee. This fourth-wall-breaking production also features ‘sirens’ — Groff’s extraordinarily talented backup singers and dancers. The ‘sirens’ are played by Julia Grondin, Valeria Yamin, and Claire Camp.

Just In Time depicts the timeline of Darin’s short life, beginning in his sickly adolescence and ending with his untimely death. The audience is taken on a journey through his youth, relationship with Francis, career highs and lows, and his marriage to Dee, showcasing the man behind the stage persona. Darin’s discography sets the stage for his life’s story without the audience feeling as though the songs are shoe-horned into the production.

In an era of jukebox musicals and movie-to-stage adaptations, Groff gives the performance of a lifetime. He performs Herculean feats on the stage through his singing, dancing, acting, and instrument playing, skills that will surprise even his most dedicated fans. His performance marks the return of Golden Age talent on the modern stage. As many actors are forced into typecasts, Groff continuously defies the limits of his own typecasts, outperforming himself in every role.

The show’s glitz and glamor are contrasted with the hard times and heartbreak experienced by Darin and portrayed with nuance by Groff. His chemistry with every performer and musician on that stage is unmatched and unseen in recent productions.

Hyland brings an emotional depth and sincerity to Francis that were lacking in the original cast, while simultaneously giving a stellar vocal performance. Dickerson’s Sandra Dee has a beautiful naivete that shines through in every scene alongside Groff, highlighting the age gap in Dee and Darin’s relationship. The performers create a strong emotional connection with the audience that is bolstered by the intimate staging of the venue.

At times, the musical feels like a one-man show, a quality that does not work against the production. Rather, this dramaturgical choice highlights Darin’s incessant need to be the star of any show, never letting another performer upstage him. With the extremely talented cast supporting the plot, Groff is never outshone. That being said, the production balances Groff’s larger-than-life portrayal of Darin with captivating performances by those around him. The spotlight is always shared by the actors and musicians on stage, if only for a moment.

The ticket price, while incredibly steep, is more than worth the experience. The audience is immersed in the show, with Circle in the Square becoming the actors’ personal playground. The thrust staging, on-stage musicians, and table seating on the floor become additional performance space, leaving the audience to wonder where the actors will be next. The staging was risky, but ultimately successful in adding a nightclub ambiance worthy of performances by Darin and his contemporaries.

Just In Time is a must-see. With Groff’s departure from the show on March 29, 2026, I am excited to see who will have the opportunity to fill his— and Darin’s— successful shoes.