Riedel on Groff as Bobby Darin possibly coming to Broadway

[10086sunset]

https://nypost.com/2018/01/24/broadways-jonathan-groff-is-the-next-hugh-jackman/

[newintown]

A big potential problem with a Darin bio-musical is that the last five or so years of his very short life were comprised of a mundanely grim string of failures, ill health, and personal issues (starting with the Bobby Kennedy murder).

Perhaps this could all be allayed for audiences who like happy endings by adding a coda of "Bobby in Heaven" or a flashback to earlier triumph (both terribly clichéd, but clichés are, admittedly, enormously popular with mass audiences).

[10086sunset]

Newintown, you make a very valid point about the end of Darin's life. I imagine it will get spun into some type of happy ending.

[nasty_khakis]

Like we'll see ghost/angel Darin sing "Don't Forget Me?"

[CurtainPullDowner]

It sounds like the show is already written, both Acts and they have that all figured out. It's in the article. This sounds exciting.

[jbird5]

Wasn’t he riding high at the very end with his own network television show? When he died, it was big news.

[Call_me_jorge]

I saw a picture with Groff and Stephanie Styles in costume for this. Does anyone know who Stephanie played?

[newintown]

"Wasn’t he riding high at the very end with his own network television show?"

He had a successful summer replacement variety show in 1972, but when it was renewed as a regular show, it was abruptly cancelled in April 1973, due to low ratings (running against "Sonny and Cher" and "Love American Style". He died later that year, in December 1973.

[IdinaBellFoster]

The issue moving forward is that MINDHUNTER was renewed for a second season. That will complicate Groff's schedule. 

[LizzieCurry]

Has anyone here seen Dream Lover in Australia? How does that story flow?

[Call_me_jorge]

Wasn’t the reading directed by Timbers? Assuming he is moving on with this, Moulin Rouge would also complicate the schedule for this. I could see Mindhunter filming the second season this summer(while Timbers is working on the MR tryout), it gets released in December or January(if MR transfers to broadway, this would be the ideal time), then next spring, this opens.

[Danielle49]

Call_me_jorge said: "I saw a picture with Groff and Stephanie Styles in costume for this. Does anyone know who Stephanie played?"

She played Sandra Dee! I was excited to see her again after seeing her on the Newsies tour a few years ago.

The show definitely felt very developed for a concert production, so I'm not surprised that there are murmurs of moving forward with it. Also, getting names as big as Groff and Timbers just for a three day 92Y show pointed to something bigger in the works.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I read an interesting item about  Bobby Darrin somewhere.  In his last will and testament, apparently/supposedly he left a stipulation that his surviving son could not benefit from the estate until the age of 65.  

[mamaleh]

Dodd Darin turned 65 in 2016, so I guess he stands to benefit from the proposed musical about his father’s life.

[VintageSnarker]

It was a wonderful concert but it would need more development to be an actual show, especially on Broadway. And while Groff would sell tickets and performed well, there are plenty of Italian American Broadway actors who would make a more convincing Bobby Darin.

[StephieElise]

Interestingly, David Campbell just posted on Instagram that Jonathan Groff saw Dream Lover today!

[LizzieCurry]

I came here just to post that! (But I have a link.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfK0bYTnK2K/?taken-by=davidcampbell73

[Jazzman714]

mamaleh said: "Dodd Darin turned 65 in 2016, so I guess he stands to benefit from the proposed musical about his father’s life."

Actually, Dodd was born in 1961, making him 55 in 2016.