'Just in Time' is a musical that celebrates the life and music of Bobby Darin, the 1950s crooner who achieved great success before dying at a young age. Under the direction of Alex Timbers and the charismatic performance by Jonathan Groff, the show captivates audiences with a dazzling representation of New York nightlife. While it acknowledges Darin's personal struggles, the musical radiates joy and freshness, steering clear of cliched biographical storytelling. Each performance delivers a high-energy experience, blending classic hits into a lively synthesis that keeps the audience engaged throughout.
What's astounding is how the show manages to be, at once, both jukebox retro and to-the-minute fresh. Too often, onstage musician biographies are tethered to and limited by twitch-perfect impersonations.
Darin wasn't supposed to live past 16. 'Just in Time' is a wallop of joy, though. And while it doesn't shy away from Darin's heart struggles, anatomically and romantically, the musical is never gloomy.
But director Alex Timbers and his irrepressible star Jonathan Groff have made magic with 'Just in Time,' which opened Saturday night at the Circle in the Square Theatre.
The audience is situated in a sumptuously imagined, sparkling silver nightclub with multiple stages and a brilliant band in back. Groff spiritedly darts around the room, jumping on tables.
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