Sizzling off his Tony Award win for “Merrily We Roll Along,” actor Jonathan Groff has secured his subsequent Broadway position.
On Wednesday, it was introduced that Groff will star as legendary singer Bobby Darin within the new musical “Just in Time,” directed by Alex Timbers and slated to open at New York’s Circle within the Sq. Theatre in spring 2025.
Lately, Darin is finest remembered for his clutch of Fifties and ’60s pop hits, together with “Splish Splash” and “Dream Lover,” in addition to his wistful rendition of “Beyond the Sea.”
However, as Groff explains on this week’s episode of Andrew Chappelle and Cody Rigsby’s “Tactful Pettiness” podcast, Darin — who died in 1973 at age 37 — saved a couple of racy secrets and techniques near his chest, too.
“This guy is fire. He’s such an incredible performer and really special,” Groff stated, as heard within the beneath clip. “I read this book about him, where he talked about his relationship to the audience. He, for example, would wear a condom when he went onstage in case he ejaculated.”
And when Groff carried out a workshop model of “Just in Time” this summer time, he discovered himself equally, um, aroused.
“I did feel some tingles,” the actor quipped.
Hearken to Jonathan Groff discuss “Just in Time” on the “Tactful Pettiness” podcast beneath.
Elsewhere within the interview, Groff chimes in on the longstanding rumor that Lea Michele, his longtime buddy and former “Glee” and “Spring Awakening” co-star, doesn’t know how one can learn.
“I have seen her read,” he stated. “Let it be known.”
Hear Groff handle the Lea Michele rumor beneath:
Groff is the primary celeb visitor to look on “Tactful Pettiness,” which launched in June. The present could be very a lot a labor of affection for Rigsby, the beloved Peloton teacher who catapulted to world fame about 4 years in the past on the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Chappelle, a theater actor who has appeared in “Hamilton” and “& Juliet,” amongst different musicals.
“Andrew is a funny person and one of the only people I know that can match my freak,” Rigsby informed HuffPost in an interview. “We want to make people laugh, forget about their problems for 45 minutes, and leave with a little bit of insight and some new perspectives that only two opinionated homosexuals can give.”
As to why Groff, whose movie and TV credit embody Netflix’s “Mindhunter” and HBO’s “Looking,” made sense because the podcast’s first celeb visitor, Chappelle stated, “He stays pretty private and doesn’t have social media. So there was a lot to dive into that the world may not know about him.”
Added Rigsby: “We want to speak to guests who represent different professions and industries. People with interesting stories to share and strong perspectives – celebrities, influencers, and personalities who have accomplished success in their own paths but know how to not take themselves too seriously and are down to have a laugh. Jonathan was perfect!”
As its title suggests, “Tactful Pettiness” is more likely to be seen by followers as a companion piece to Rigsby’s 2023 memoir, “XOXO, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual’s Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness.”
Whereas each Chappelle and Rigsby acknowledge the similarities between the sassy tone of “Tactful Pettiness” and Rigsby’s e book, they’re hoping to department out past the tried and true as their podcast continues to evolve. As for his or her subsequent visitor, it’s none aside from former Olympic determine skater Adam Rippon.
“We like to think of our show as a pallet cleanser for our listeners ― a little escape from their day,” Chappelle stated, noting that listeners can look ahead to extra “pop culture hot takes” and “sex, dating and relationship advice,” in addition to the “scam of the week.”
Hearken to Jonathan Groff’s full “Tactful Pettiness” interview beneath.
