See Jonathan Groff as Late Singer Bobby Darin in First Look at Art for Broadway's Just In Time (Exclusive)

Jonathan Groff is taking fans to “Beyond the Sea” in his next Broadway role, and PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the actor’s character.

Less than a year after winning the Tony Award for Best Actor, Groff returns to the boards this spring in Just in time, a new musical about the life of legendary singer Bobby Darin.

PEOPLE can premiere the official image for the show, which shows Groff posing as the singer in a blue suit and matching hat.

Darin was one of the music industry’s biggest stars and was a chart topper in the late 1950s and 1960s. He began his career as a member of the iconic Brill Building songwriters, but struggled to become a solo artist—that is, until he catapulted into the spotlight with 1958’s “Splish Splash.” Other hits like “Beyond the Sea,” “Dream Lover” and “Mack the Knife” followed, the latter becoming his signature song.

During his short but varied career, Darin released 27 albums, acted in 13 films, had two television variety shows and won two Grammys and one Golden Globe. He was known for changing his styles frequently, exploring all genres of music such as jazz, folk, country and pop. He died in 1973 at the age of 37 while recovering from open heart surgery.

‘Just In Time’.

Andrew Eccles

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Just in time will chronicle the highs and lows of Darin’s meteoric journey. Tony winner Alexis Timbers, who will direct the musical, also developed it from an original concept by Ted Chapin. It included fellow Tony winner Warren Leight (The man on the side) and Isaac Oliver (Intimate idiot, The wonderful Mrs. Maisel) to write a book.

New York City’s Circle in the Square Theater will be transformed into an “intimate, all-encompassing nightclub” for the show, according to a statement. There, Groff and a crew of sixteen will bring Darin’s story to life through his catalog of hits.

“Bobby Darin worked in many musical genres, but was most alive performing in intimate nightclubs,” Timbers said in a statement. “And so it was vital for Jonathan and I to set the stage Just in time in Krug na trg. This is where we could build an eco-nightclub environment including a live big band on stage to allow for the same kind of intimacy and electrifying audience connection that Bobby and Jonathan are known for.”

Jonathan Groff and Bobby Darin.

James Devaney/GC Images; Screen Archive/Getty

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As for Groff, he’s not just acting Just in timebut also its production.

“Bobby Darin was a supernova,” the 39-year-old actor — who also starred in the original Broadway productions Spring awakening and Hamilton – it says in the press release. “He’s worked his way through every corner of the entertainment industry, but his immense talent, charisma and sheer genius came out the most when he let loose in front of a crowd.”

“That primal passionate love affair he had with the audience was the inspiration for the conceit of our show,” Groff added. “Alex Timber’s distinctive ability to make theater an unforgettable experience and Bobby’s distinctive musicality and explosive fleeting life make Broadway the perfect place to experience the story and essence of this once-in-a-lifetime talent.”

Jonathan Groff in May 2024.

Jenny Anderson/Getty

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Performances for Just in time begin at the Krug Theater on the Square on Friday, March 28, 2025 before opening on Wednesday, April 23.

Tickets for Just in time go on sale to the general public on October 23. Pre-sale with priority access starts on October 21st. Exclusive nightclub seating will be available for an up close and personal experience.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education