Jonathan Groff

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – Jonathan Groff Episode

Release Date: April 5, 2025

---

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes the multi-talented Jonathan Groff, a Tony and Grammy award-winning actor known for his roles in acclaimed productions such as Spring Awakening, Frozen, and Merrily We Roll Along. The conversation delves into Groff's recent milestone birthday, his illustrious career on Broadway, his latest project, and personal insights into maintaining balance amidst the demands of a thriving career.

---

Celebrating a Milestone: Turning 40

Stephen Colbert opens the discussion by congratulating Groff on his recent 40th birthday, prompting Groff to share how he chose to celebrate this significant milestone.

Jonathan Groff [01:49]: "How do I celebrate 40? Okay. So I woke up. Thank God."
[01:49]

Groff humorously recounts his birthday morning, highlighting the simplicity and joy of simply waking up alive, which he considers a great start to the day.

Jonathan Groff [02:00]: "I do try to do that every day."
[02:00]

He emphasizes his commitment to daily journaling, a practice that centers his thoughts and sets a positive tone for each day.

The celebration takes an unexpected turn when Groff attends a quiet breakfast at his friend Lea Michele's apartment, only to be surprised by seven of his close friends wishing him a happy birthday.

Jonathan Groff [02:22]: "And say, Happy 40th. It was really sweet."
[02:22]

Colbert jokes about the surprise breakfast feeling like an intervention, to which Groff responds by describing how he celebrated with an "anti-intervention" approach by indulging in a bottle of champagne.

Jonathan Groff [02:38]: "Exactly, exactly."
[02:38]

---

Reflecting on a Stellar Career

The conversation shifts to Groff's Broadway journey, particularly his role in Merrily We Roll Along. Colbert inquires about the emotional impact of winning awards, to which Groff reflects on the profound significance of his achievements.

Jonathan Groff [03:35]: "It meant everything. It really did. It was like a childhood dream come true."
[03:35]

Groff shares the heartfelt moment of winning amidst his family’s presence, underscoring the long two-decade dedication to theater in New York.

Colbert references Groff's first headshot from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sparking a nostalgic discussion about his early days in acting and the deliberate choices made to showcase his range as a performer.

Jonathan Groff [04:27]: "What we were going for with this, which I really remember, I had one smiling and one serious."
[04:27]

Groff elaborates on the duality represented in his headshot, symbolizing both his lightness and darkness, and commends his versatility as an actor.

---

Current Endeavors: "Just in Time" Musical

Transitioning to Groff's latest project, Colbert expresses excitement about Just in Time, a new musical centered around singer Bobby Darin. Groff details the genesis and development of the show, highlighting his deep personal connection to Darin's music and performance style.

Jonathan Groff [07:08]: "Ted Chapin asked me to do a night of his music at the 92nd Street Y eight years ago."
[07:08]

Groff describes his growing obsession with Darin after immersing himself in Darin's performances, leading to a seven-year development process alongside director Alex Timbers.

Jonathan Groff [07:00]: "I started looking at clips of Bobby Darin and it was like these black and white clips of him were coming out of the computer and grabbing my heart."
[07:00]

He provides an insider’s look at the creative direction of the musical, emphasizing the immersive nightclub experience crafted within the Circle in the Square Theater.

Jonathan Groff [08:03]: "We've got, like, tables in the audience that we act at and act around."
[08:03]

Groff also shares an anecdote about his immediate departure to perform in the preview, showcasing his dedication and the seamless integration of his professional commitments.

---

Balancing Act: Managing Stress and Finding Joy

Colbert inquires about how Groff decompresses from the high-stress environment of performing and preparing for consecutive shows. Groff candidly discusses his approach to balancing intense work schedules with personal well-being.

Jonathan Groff [05:32]: "I'm a little bit of an addict, so even though it's work, it brings me so much joy and I love doing it so much."
[05:32]

He reflects on the fleeting nature of days filled with passion-driven work, describing it as a privilege to pursue what he loves professionally.

Groff also shares his experiences with Vipassana meditation retreats, both the silent sittings and the more active service roles, illustrating his commitment to mindfulness and community service as methods of maintaining mental equilibrium.

Jonathan Groff [06:15]: "I was like making oatmeal. That was my position."
[06:15]

Despite the challenges, Groff expresses fulfillment in returning to Broadway and continuing to engage deeply with his craft.

---

Closing Remarks

As the conversation wraps up, Colbert congratulates Groff on Just in Time and shares a brief insight into the show’s debut. Groff thanks Colbert and the audience, leaving listeners with an anticipation for his upcoming performances.

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert offers a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Jonathan Groff, shedding light on his personal milestones, professional achievements, and the creative processes behind his latest theatrical ventures. Groff's reflections on balancing passion with personal well-being provide valuable takeaways for aspiring artists and fans alike, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the dynamics of a successful career in the arts.

---

Notable Quotes

• Jonathan Groff on Celebrating 40:
  "How do I celebrate 40? Okay. So I woke up. Thank God."
  [01:49]

• On Winning Awards:
  "It meant everything. It really did. It was like a childhood dream come true."
  [03:35]

• Discussing Bobby Darin Obsession:
  "I started looking at clips of Bobby Darin and it was like these black and white clips of him were coming out of the computer and grabbing my heart."
  [07:00]

• Balancing Work and Joy:
  "I'm a little bit of an addict, so even though it's work, it brings me so much joy and I love doing it so much."
  [05:32]

---

For more episodes and exclusive content, visit The Late Show YouTube channel.

Transcript

[Dietitian Advocate]

I recently found out that you can see a personal dietitian covered by insurance. There's this platform called Nourish that will match you with a dietitian based on whatever your concerns are, whether that's weight loss, eating disorders, autoimmune conditions or something else. They're actually a network with major insurance providers. So Most patients pay $0 out of pocket. 94% of patients pay $0 out of pocket. Find your [e-mail] that's usenourish.com.

[Tommy Morrissey]

I've been counted out, dismissed, passed over, told I'd never be a golfer with just one arm. But the only thing that feels better than proving people wrong is out driving them. I'm 14 year old golfer Tommy Morrissey and I want to be remembered for.

[Bank of America]

My ability as a champion partner of the Masters. Bank of America supports everyone determined to find out what's possible in golf and in life. We what would you like the power to do? Bank of America. Bank of America. NA member FDIC. Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. It's the Late Show Poncho with Stephen Colbert.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hello. Welcome back, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, my next guest is a Tony and Grammy award winning actor. You know, from Spring Awakening, frozen and Merrily we roll along. Please welcome back to the Late Show, Jonathan Groff.

[Jonathan Groff]

Wow. Wow. What a great crowd.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hey, nice to see you.

[Jonathan Groff]

So nice to see you.

[Stephen Colbert]

I like the dusty mauve for springtime.

[Jonathan Groff]

Thank you. I thought you'd appreciate that.

[Stephen Colbert]

I would. You know me. You had a big birthday just a couple days ago. 40.

[Jonathan Groff]

40.

[Stephen Colbert]

Congratulations. How does Tony and Grammy award winner Jonathan Groff celebrate 40?

[Jonathan Groff]

How do I celebrate 40? Okay. So I woke up. Thank God.

[Stephen Colbert]

Always a good sign.

[Jonathan Groff]

Started with that, which is great.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jonathan Groff]

I journaled a little bit on my laptop. Oh, and then.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you do that every day?

[Jonathan Groff]

I do try to do that every day.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's for you.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Jonathan Groff]

And then I went. Lea Michele asked me to come over to her apartment for breakfast.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, yeah.

[Jonathan Groff]

To hang with her baby.

[Stephen Colbert]

Nice.

[Jonathan Groff]

And her son had made me a cake. I know, right? Ever. Wow. And so I went over there thinking it was going to be a quiet start to the day. And then I had about seven of my dearest friends surprise me.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh.

[Jonathan Groff]

And say, Happy 40th. It was really sweet.

[Stephen Colbert]

I drank surprise breakfast.

[Jonathan Groff]

I've never seen that breakfast before. Surprised.

[Stephen Colbert]

That sounds really close to an intervention.

[Jonathan Groff]

Oh, my God. Totally. Totally. I then proceeded to drink an entire bottle of champagne.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, there you go. The anti Intervention.

[Jonathan Groff]

Exactly, exactly. And then I went to the theater for 12 hours to rehearse. Just in time. We're in tech.

[Stephen Colbert]

Just in time. Here it is.

[Jonathan Groff]

Oh, my God.

[Stephen Colbert]

Here is it. We'll get to that in just a moment. Here's the musical there. Where is it at? It's at the circ in the square, right? Yeah. There you go. Just down the street there. Yes. Last time you were here, it was for Merrily Roll along with your. With your class cast mates, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez. Lindsay Mendez. There you go. Since then I said you won the leading actor thing for the Tony. It was your third nomination.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Spring Awakening Hamilton. Have you. What does it mean to you to have won? Like, here you are. Here you go. There it is.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

You know, I hesitate to use the word. Hesitate to use the word process, because that sounds like you're, you know, sort of pathologizing, but what did it mean to you? Like, has it sunk in?

[Jonathan Groff]

I won't cry. It meant everything. It really did. It was like. It was like a childhood dream come true. My mom and my dad and my brother were sitting next to me and, you know, like, it's been 20 years since I moved to New York. 20 years doing theater in New York. Merrily We Roll along was about reflecting on a 20 year experience. And it felt really magical and special and spiritual, and I was so, like, thrilled and honored.

[Stephen Colbert]

Here you are 20 years ago. Your first. There's your first. There you are.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

You were playing. I believe you were playing. You were playing Eddie Haskell in the Leave it to Bieber musical.

[Dietitian Advocate]

Exactly.

[Stephen Colbert]

Exactly. What is this from?

[Jonathan Groff]

That was my first headshot. I got that taken in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Jonathan Groff]

Can I wow.

[Stephen Colbert]

By an Amish person took this photo. Lancaster.

[Jonathan Groff]

No, he wasn't Amish.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Jonathan Groff]

But the. Okay, so what we were going for with this, which I really remember, I had one smiling and one serious.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay.

[Jonathan Groff]

And the background you can see here, it's white on one side and black on the other to show both my lightness and my darkness.

[Stephen Colbert]

Your range.

[Jonathan Groff]

I'm at the range.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. Not many people have range in still photographs.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's amazing.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Wow.

[Jonathan Groff]

Worked.

[Stephen Colbert]

So how long did you run Merrily?

[Jonathan Groff]

Oh, my gosh. We did almost 300 performances of it. Yeah. Over the. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

So what do you do? How do you. And then that wasn't that long ago that it ended. Now you're doing. Now we're doing.

[Jonathan Groff]

The Justin time. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Now we're doing the Just in time. So, you know, the kids are Calling it. Yeah. What do you do? Like to, like, how do you, like, desaturate yourself from all the cortisol and stress involved in doing a show before you go do another show? What do you do to wind down after all that?

[Jonathan Groff]

Okay, well, I'm a little bit of an addict, so even though it's work, it brings me so much joy and I love doing it so much. The days fly by. It's like it's a privilege to do what we love for a living.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Jonathan Groff]

But at the end of Merrily, I had done these vipassana meditation retreats before where you go for 10 days and sit in silence. I had done two of them before we started Merrily. And then when it was over, I went back and I did a serve as opposed to a sit. So at the serve, you still meditate with the group, but then you make everybody their meals. It's all like volunteer based. So I was like making oatmeal. I was the oatmeal guy. That was my position. Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay. And how was that?

[Jonathan Groff]

You know.

[Stephen Colbert]

You like the sit more than the serve. I mean, before the Tony, I would have been fine serving, but after the Tony, I think sick.

[Jonathan Groff]

I was like. Cause it's silent. Everybody's silent all the time.

[Stephen Colbert]

No talking the whole time.

[Jonathan Groff]

No talk. You can talk in the kitchen, but like, when you're serving the people there, it was like being like a lunch lady for zom. Yeah, it was really. It was a cool experience. Yeah. Happy to be back on Broadway.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're selling the hell out of it, kid. Hey now, the new show Just in Time is about singer Bobby Darin.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Who people remember from things like Mack the Knife and Splish Splash and Beyond the Sea.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

What first got you hooked on Bobby Darin?

[Jonathan Groff]

Oh, my gosh. Ted Chapin asked me to do a night of his music at the 92nd Street Y eight years ago. And I went on YouTube and went down this rabbit hole. I started looking at clips of Bobby Darin and it was like these black and white clips of him were coming out of the computer and grabbing my heart. He has this like primal, passionate. He was like a supernova as a performer and as a person. I became completely obsessed with him. Incredible. Director Alex Timbers joined us at the Y and we ever since then have been developing the show. It's been now seven years in development.

[Stephen Colbert]

And now previews start tonight, you said?

[Jonathan Groff]

Yeah, it's the first one.

[Stephen Colbert]

Preview starts tonight. You literally are leaving here to go do the preview. Right.

[Jonathan Groff]

For this.

[Stephen Colbert]

Here's a shot. This is a shot of.

[Jonathan Groff]

Yes, this is the.

[Bank of America]

We've never.

[Jonathan Groff]

No one has seen the set. This is the first time we're showing a picture of our set. So Bobby Darin performed a lot at the Copa, and Alex Timbers, our amazing director, wanted. Oh, yeah. Oh, my God. There it is. That's what we do. Wanted to create a kind of immersive nightclub experience. We've taken the Circle in the Square Theater and made it this environmental experience. We've got, like, tables in the audience that we act at and act around. I stand on a table, I spit on people. It's great.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's worth the price right there. Jonathan, lovely to see you. Congrats on the new show.

[Jonathan Groff]

Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Stephen Colbert]

Performances of Just in Time start tonight at the Circle in the Square theater here in New York City. Jonathan Ruff, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.