Just in Time

 

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From the minute I entered the auditorium at Circle in the Square to see Just in Time, my spirits lifted. The far end of the oval had been truncated and replaced by a beautiful Art Deco bandstand and the central floor was filled with softly lit tables for two, creating the illusion of a swanky midcentury nightclub. When three chorus girls in skimpy sequined dresses appeared to greet the star arising from a hidden stage elevator, the effect was complete. And what a star – the irresistible, inexhaustible Jonathan Groff. He introduces himself and says “I’m your Bobby Darin tonight” and comments that the surroundings are “not bad for the basement of Wicked.” Surprisingly, he sings the title song at the top of the show as he smoothly slips into the role of Darin and begins the tale of his rise from a sickly child raised by a single mother in East Harlem to an international movie and nightclub star, to his fall from favor, his comeback and his untimely death at 37. Along the way, we meet the women in his life --  Polly Walden (Michelle Pawk), the former vaudeville singer who raised him and urged him to become a performer and live to the fullest despite his doctor’s prediction that he would not live to see 16; Nina (Emily Bergl), whose sisterly admonitions to live cautiously constantly annoy him; Connie Francis (Sarah Hyland), his first love; and Sandra Dee (Sadie Dickerson), whom he marries, has a son by, and then divorces. Joe Barbara plays his brother-in-law Charlie, whom he recruits to be his valet. Caesar Samayoa and Lance Roberts play several figures in the music business who are tied to Darin. I must not forget the three energetic Sirens (Valeria Yamin, Claire Camp and Julia Grondin) in their glittery costumes. I cannot comment how closely Groff, Hyland and Dickerson resemble their characters vocally, but they sing beautifully. Pawk and Bergl have fine voices too. The song list includes both songs that Darin wrote such as “Splish Splash,” “Dream Lover” and “18 Yellow Roses” and songs he covered including “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea.” Groff is such a genial presence, that it’s a shock when, as Darin, he does something nasty like sending his brother-in-law to tell Sandra Dee that he wants a divorce or verbally abusing Nina when he learns a long-held family secret. Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver are credited for the book, based on an original concept by Ted Chapin. The gorgeous set by Derek McLane, wonderful costumes by Catherine Zuber, glamorous lighting by Justin Townsend, lively choreography by Shannon Lewis, great musicians and seamless direction by Alex Timbers, combined with the excellent performances, all fit together like the pieces of a fine Swiss watch. The price of a ticket can be almost as expensive too – on the night I attended, the top price for a cabaret table seat was $977 or $777 for a regular seat. (I had no problem seeing or hearing from my $189 seat in Row K.) I expect that prices will drop sharply at the end of the month when Groff leaves the show. Matthew Morrison has the unenviable task of filling in for three weeks before Jeremy Jordan takes over the role. It will be interesting to see how well the show holds up without Groff. After the elaborate production number that replaces the traditional curtain call, the entertainment continued. Groff took the stage to make a personal appeal for the traditional Red Bucket campaign to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Then Groff began a live auction for a bowtie he wore during the performance, promising a kickline with two of the Sirens for each thousand bid. After two bids of $3,000 and three kicks, two bidders were tied. Emily Bergl magically produced a second bowtie which she rubbed against Groff’s sweaty neck so both bidders could go home happy. Unsurprisingly, one of the two successful bidders was seated at a cabaret table. I guess if you can afford $2000 for a pair of tickets, what’s $3,000 more for a souvenir? Running time: two hours 15 minutes including intermission.