Broadway is at its best when even a bio-musical is a solid gold hit. Sterling talents collaborate to bring the story of ill-fated crooner Bobby Darin to supremely entertaining life. 

Australian audiences are, of course, already familiar with the story of American singer Bobby Darin, the popular entertainer who defied childhood illness to live his life to the fullest until dying at only 37 years old. Australian musical Dream Lover enjoyed hit seasons in Sydney (2016) and Melbourne (2017-18). 

New musical Just in Time tells the same compelling story with basically the same hit song catalogue.  Based on a presentation by Ted Chapin, book writers Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver have collaborated with director Alex Timbers to fashion a brisk, slick show that zips along free of the quagmire of facts that stymies most bio-musicals. 

A confident and creative visual storyteller, Timbers ensures there is not an ounce of fat in the production. Scenes and snippets of songs are kept breathlessly brief, with every moment and every design element contributing intrinsic value to the storytelling. 

A key conceit is that star Jonathan Groff begins as himself, there to share Darin’s story but not to mimic or impersonate the man. Recalling the towering performance of Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz, Groff not only sings and dances up a storm but also shows unflinching confidence and heady charisma in developing terrific rapport with the all too willing audience. 

Peppered with multiple snappy asides to the audience, the book deftly integrates key information and delivers an abundance of warm laughs. When the story finally switches gears to dramatic aspects of Darin’s family life and his untimely death, the pathos lands with affecting power. 

Music supervisor Andrew Resnick incorporates more than 31 songs, providing almost constant music to accompany the performance. On keyboard, Resnick conducts ten talented fellow musicians on stage, occasionally becoming part of the action himself. 

Choreographer Shannon Lewis covers a range of styles with three back up “Sirens,” also showcasing Groff’s own considerable dance skills.

Scenic designer Derek McLane transforms the flexible space of Circle in the Square into an elegant supper club, replete with central tables and chairs for lucky patrons to (non-threateningly) enjoy close engagement with the stars. With a glossy main bandstand stage and a second performance space at the other end, all seats are afforded a close and intimate view of the production. Justin Townsend’s glamorous lighting design contributes to the sophisticated, glossy atmosphere.

Veteran costume designer Catherine Zuber has her usual wonderful way with colour, invaluably supporting the storytelling with the progress of period fashion and the varying scale of design to chart Darin’s success. Special mention of the witty floral yellow dresses for the song “18 Yellow Roses.”

Groff is capably supported by a tight troupe of players who gamely match his confident performance style. Veteran Michelle Pawk brings knowing wisdom to Darin’s driven, devoted mother, Polly Walden. Emily Bergl neatly underplays Darin’s sister Nina Cassotto, keeping her powder dry, so to speak, for a climactic scene in act two. Bergl successfully doubles as Mary Douvan, the ever hovering mother of Sandra Dee. 

In an auspicious Broadway debut, Gracie Lawrence plays high-profile singer Connie Francis with a deliciously dry sense of humour, seizing every opportunity to sing the role with abundant character. Arriving in act two Erika Henningsen, underpins golden girl Sandra Dee with a simmering tension that eventually sees Dee’s marriage to Darin implode. 

A unique night out, Just in Time is as much fun as can be had with a modern adult-oriented musical. 

Just in Time was reviewed 8pm Wednesday 7 May 2025 at Circle in the Square, New York. For tickets, click here. 

Photos: Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman