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Chloe Mel
This year I am rewarding myself for spring cleaning with an upgraded summer wardrobe for my kids and myself. Quince has 100% European linen starting at $30, Italian leather sandals, luxury swimwear, everything you need to look and feel effortlessly put together year after year. My kids run their clothes hard and the Quince clothes actually last. By working directly with top artisans and cutting out the middlemen, Quince gives you luxury without the markup. Their products are priced 50 to 80% less than what you'd find from similar brands. I just upgraded Alice Albert's 3T3 toddler pair of jeans to four. Now she can have her cute little. They come in packs of twos, which is so cute. There's like the dark wash and the lighter wash. So depending on her mood, I let her choose what vibe she's looking for. Treat your closet to a little summer glow up with quince. Go to quince.com runthrough for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N C-E.com runthrough to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com runthrough.
Cho Minardi
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Chloe Mel
This is the run through. I'm Chloe Mel and I am here with Vogue's features editor, Marlee Marius.
Marlee Marius
So good to be here.
Chloe Mel
And we had the loveliest interview with the one and only Jonathan Groth, who, honestly, I was deeply charmed by.
Marlee Marius
He is charm on two legs.
Chloe Mel
Oh my God, that's who he is. He came in, he said to Marley, ugh, we've met before. It was very like, what?
Marlee Marius
He hugged absolutely everyone.
Chloe Mel
He hugged everyone in the studio, including Jake, our engineer. He was wearing a little Thumb Browne knit that. He looked great and it was just a total dream. And he is currently playing the other heartthrob, Bobby Darin in the Broadway musical Just In Time. And he was nominated for Tony for his performance and he won a Tony last year for his performance in Merrily We Roll along and got a Grammy for Hamilton in 2016. When did you meet Jonathan?
Marlee Marius
I met him when I wrote about the production of Merrily We Roll Along. First I spoke to him and Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendes on the phone when it was premiered off Broadway. But then once we shot them for the magazine, Norman Jean Roy and Max Ortega worked on like a really lovely shoot of the three of them. I went to the shoot which was in like Long Island City, and it was like such a grim day, but everyone was like so emotional and so happy to be there because they loved that show so much.
Chloe Mel
And Jonathan, we love emotional theater kids.
Marlee Marius
That's look. Yeah. And so it was like. And he was, yeah, very then is now super charming. So passionate about what he does. So passionate about that show. So passionate about this show, which was very much a passion project for him. He's just always a sort of delight to chat with.
Chloe Mel
We will be right back with Jonathan Groff. Hi, I'm Chloe melt, editor of Vogue.com.
Cho Minardi
And I'm Cho Menardi, head of editorial content at British Vogue.
Chloe Mel
Our show the Run through takes you behind the scenes at Vogue. Yes.
Cho Minardi
With two episodes every week, you'll find out what's really happening inside the world of fashion and culture.
Chloe Mel
Every Tuesday, hear from Nicole Phelps, global director of Vogue Runway and Vogue business, as she discusses the latest fashion news and speaks to designers and industry leaders that Vogue editors can't stop talking about. There's so much shakeups happening in fashion. I'm curious what you think of this moment. Ooh, I am here with Marc Jacobs. Longevity is something we talk about a lot. It's not easy to achieve. How does it feel this moment?
Jonathan Groff
I have so much to say on this subject.
Cho Minardi
And on Thursday, you'll hear from the two of us, Chloe Marle and Cho Minardi, as we share our thoughts on fashion through the lens of culture. From the Oscars to the Met gala. Plus conversations with the biggest stars right now. Tyler, congratulations on your first Vogue cover.
Jonathan Groff
Thank you. Oh, my God.
Chloe Mel
Join us to get your bi weekly fashion and culture news.
Cho Minardi
Listen to the run through with Vogue.
Chloe Mel
Every Tuesday and Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. When your love for sneakers has you chasing limited editions, classics and rare finds, go to ebay, score your once in a Blue moon pair and check off your wish list for those fresh kicks. Get authentic streetwear and expert verified accessories. Think timeless watches, vintage designer bags and more jewelry than you can wear. Ebay. The new place for new pre loved vintage and rare fashion. Yeah, ebay. Things people love. All right, here's our conversation with Jonathan Groff. Charm on legs. Jonathan, we are very excited to have you here.
Jonathan Groff
Oh my gosh. Thank you for having me.
Chloe Mel
Huge Bobby Darin fans.
Jonathan Groff
Oh, cool. Amazing.
Chloe Mel
The most heard words in my mother's household are, Alexa, play Bobby Darin. Yelling at Alexa all the time.
Jonathan Groff
Okay, well, you gotta bring your mom.
Chloe Mel
Oh, she's been. Fear not.
Jonathan Groff
That's so cool.
Chloe Mel
In fact, you asked her to dance and she declined.
Jonathan Groff
Oh my gosh, I remember her. She was the only female that has declined my dance.
Chloe Mel
That sounds right. Which is so sad. Cause she's excellent dancer.
Jonathan Groff
She just didn't want to get up. Listen, I respect you.
Chloe Mel
Such a wallflower.
Jonathan Groff
That is so funny. Cause I've asked men to dance and there was a guy that said, like, that's going one step too far. I was like, okay, so usually when someone refuses to dance, I just then sit next to them on the steps and hold their hand and sing to them. Which is what I did with your mom. She was on the aisle and I went to her and asked her to dance. And she was like, no, not happening. It's like I'm watched, like not even, like, not even questioning it. It was a hard, hard no. So tell her, like, what's the breakdown.
Chloe Mel
Of no's to yeses for?
Jonathan Groff
It's mostly yeses. Yeah. Which is why. And it's. It's never your. Your mom was the only female no I've ever received. Wow. Super iconic.
Chloe Mel
Distinct honor.
Jonathan Groff
Really distinct. Yes. What's your.
Chloe Mel
Candice Bergen?
Jonathan Groff
What the actual fuck? I must. It must have been her. But second, how did I not like, recognize her?
Chloe Mel
Well, happens. We get a lot of. You look like Candice Bergen. Anyway, we digress.
Jonathan Groff
That would have like. That would have like gotten me even more. If I had known it was Candice Bergen saying no to me in the Dead, that would have been even harder, like, no to overcome. That's so funny.
Chloe Mel
I have to tell you, it's not an uncommon. But it is always a startling moment when Anna emails you or texts you after she goes to the theater. And it's only for really intense, urgent moments of passion. And she said, Jonathan is groundbreaking. We need a photo. And I was like, it was chaos. Chaos. We really made it happen. We used an outtake from the Norman Jean Roy shoot from last year. I know, Gorgeous.
Marlee Marius
And he loved that too. He was like, I'm glad that this is seeing a lot. This is an amazing portrait.
Jonathan Groff
Oh, nice. That was so Freaking cool.
Chloe Mel
Very few people get the 11pm text.
Jonathan Groff
Oh my gosh. Well, that's. That means everything to me. And she wrote me an email after that night as well. And I was like, wow, this is epic. Because. Not only because it's Anna, but because it's Anna who also sees ev. Everything. I mean, she. Like. Over 10 years ago, I was doing a play in London, a revival of Death Trap with Simon Russell Beale, directed by Matthew Orchest. Estelle Parsons was in it. Amazing cast. Anna came to London and came to see that play and came back afterward and said hi. And that's when it really, that's when it really landed on me. Like, oh, she is a theater animal.
Marlee Marius
True lover of the film.
Jonathan Groff
Yeah, she sees everything. So that's so cool that she.
Chloe Mel
I know.
Jonathan Groff
Made that phone call.
Chloe Mel
Jonathan, for the uninitiated, can you tell us about. Just in time, what's the elevator pitch?
Jonathan Groff
Elevator. Oh, which I did. I gave the elevator pitch in 2019 to our now producer, Tom Kurdahy, who went and got us the rights for the show. So Elevator Pitch is a musical about the life and music of Bobby Darin. But what sets it apart from other kind of bio musicals is that we've turned Circle in the Square theater into a nightclub. So when you walk into the theater, you're in some ways walking back in time to the Copacabana of the late 50s, early 60s, but it's the Copacabana of your dreams. It's not what the Copa looked like, but it's sort of like an amplified theatrical version of that. We've got a live big band on stage, we've got cabaret seating at tables. The audience and the performers are. You can reach out and touch each other. And I start the show as myself.
Chloe Mel
So I heard about this.
Jonathan Groff
Yeah. By all accounts, like Bobby Darin, Oscar nominated actor, Grammy winning recording artist, prolific producer, songwriter, but was at the height of his powers when he was at the center of a nightclub floor and in the present moment with the audience. So at the very start of the show, I come out as myself. I locate us all in what we're calling the basement of Wicked. Because Circle in the Square is essentially like in the basement of the building where Wicked is.
Marlee Marius
It was shocking to discover when I got there and like seeing the two lines because obviously there's this crazy line for Wicked around the block and then there's also a line for Justin Tim.
Chloe Mel
Pink and green didn't.
Jonathan Groff
It's well given away of merch.
Marlee Marius
Yeah.
Chloe Mel
Anyway, it's fine.
Marlee Marius
Anyway, the origins of the show were as a concert performance in 2018. And I know that preparing for that, you went down like a Bobby Darin sort of rabbit hole on YouTube.
Jonathan Groff
Yeah.
Marlee Marius
What was kind of capturing your attention about him as a performer at that time, that was kind of inspiring. Your interpretation of.
Jonathan Groff
So Ted Chapin 8 years ago this month, asked me to do this.
Marlee Marius
Wow.
Jonathan Groff
This series at the 92nd Street Y where we were gonna amplify Bobby Darin as a singer, but also as a songwriter, because he wrote a lot of his own music. So I went on YouTube like you said, and I was watching clips of him, and I immediately. And still. I'm still in the YouTube rabbit hole. I'm still every day watching clips. I'm obsessed with him. And why am I obsessed with him? Because when you watch clips of him singing music, it's not a singer just singing a song. He has got this, like, primal need to perform. It's almost animalistic when he's performing.
Chloe Mel
Do you identify with that?
Jonathan Groff
I do. I do. I love singing, but I've always felt like an actor first, and my way into music has always been the story that I'm telling or the thing I'm trying to communicate more than enjoying the sound of my own voice. I obsess with watching clips of old clips of Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, or even now clips of Beyonce in the way that Beyonce, in such a ferocious way, attacks the songs that she does. She's not just singing music. Same thing with Lady Gaga, which, for me, usually are great, amazing female performers. And I was watching these clips of Bobby Darin, and he had this energy, and he gave me this feeling that I get when I watch all of my favorite diva performances. So it's rare for me to find a man, a devo, a devo that evokes that pulse racing in me and the sweatiness. And so I was like, whoa, this guy is really going for it. And then I got.
Chloe Mel
No, he's kinetic. I mean, he really.
Jonathan Groff
Kinetic. That's the word. Yes. And then I got this book called Dream the Magnificent Shattered Lives of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee and learned a little bit why, like, he was told he was gonna die when he was. By the time he was 16 years old. So from 16 to when he ultimately died when he was 37, he was living on borrowed time in his mind, and he wanted to get as much in as he possibly could. And when he was performing, he was always negotiating his weak heart. He would suck oxygen, an oxygen tank in the wings. So when you went to see Bobby Darin, he was performing with absolutely everything he had. And we get a lot of people coming to the show that was, you know, I was 10 years old, and Bobby Darin danced with me, or Bobby Darin kissed me on the cheek, or Bobby Darin commented on my blue dress. And so part of it, the conceit of me starting as myself, is to establish this connection between performer and audience where I can say, if someone has a sash, which they had last week, that said, it's my 50th birthday, I can say happy birthday. I can engage with the audience in the live present moment first, before we go back in time and tell the story of his life, because that was really apparently his magic, and that's what really stuck with people. And that's why I felt really passionate about telling his life story in the context of live theater, because his magic was in the live moment. And I think it's part of why his legacy is easy to forget about, partially because you listen to Splish, Splash, Mac the Knife, Dream Lover, if I were Carmider, it sounds like four different people. He was a chameleon, so he doesn't have a distinct sound like Sinatra or even Elvis. And so someone whose magic was in the moment, liveness, once they're gone, it's easy to forget about that. So now we get to tell his story in a live theater setting. And we're trying to, yes. Tell his story. Yes. Sing his music. Yes. Give the fans of Bobby Dern what they want. But we're trying to celebrate being in the present moment and that energy between performer and audience which was his magic.
Chloe Mel
It sounds like you are just killing yourself every night, eight times a week.
Marlee Marius
It's such a physical show.
Chloe Mel
I mean, it sounds so physical, relentless. How on earth, besides your physical therapist, do you, like, prepare for that?
Jonathan Groff
Truly, I'm killing myself. But it's all in the spirit of Bobby Daris. And it's like I am killing myself. But I, I. It's like this crazy thing. I love it so much. And we've been trying to make the show happen for eight years. And so this experience of doing the show, it's like two hours and almost like 30 minutes the most I'm off stage. Haley, the woman who's dressing me, told me, is 45 seconds.
Marlee Marius
Oh, my God.
Jonathan Groff
I feel like I'm on drugs when I'm out there. I love it so much. And I sleep really hard at night, so I know I'm, like, working hard. But when I'm out I can't wait to get to the show every night. I am like, wow, amped. So it is like running a marathon. But it's just everything I've ever wanted to do. I just love it so much.
Chloe Mel
Is there like a marathon eating regimen? Like, are you, like, I don't know, pounding protein?
Jonathan Groff
I've been for the last, since the first week of February doing meals sent to my house. So three meals a day, five days a week, shout out to daily dose.
Marlee Marius
Doing great work.
Jonathan Groff
I'm gonna do them through the Tonys. It's like when we were rehearsing and then tech and then previews. And now we've been promoting the show, and now it's the big publicity push to June 8, and then once that's done and I get my days free again, I'm gonna try to cook, make eggs.
Marlee Marius
Is that something you usually like to do?
Jonathan Groff
No.
Marlee Marius
Okay.
Jonathan Groff
Let's just say disdainful usually. But I like, I'll, like, go to dinner or go to, like, lunch, but the don't have time to, like.
Marlee Marius
Yeah.
Jonathan Groff
Have a normal life right now. It's like nose to the grindstone.
Marlee Marius
Yeah.
Jonathan Groff
Kind of epic.
Chloe Mel
I do feel like this, like, pre Tony's month is a very intense schmooze fest.
Jonathan Groff
Yeah.
Chloe Mel
What, what's. What's the fashion vibe?
Marlee Marius
Yeah.
Chloe Mel
Are you method dressing?
Jonathan Groff
Great question. In a way, like, Erica Cloud is the woman that I work with as a stylist, and I love her so much and she's so creative, and I've come to really embrace the rack that's set up in the living room of my apartment with all the different things, all the different looks. And I think I. I don't know if it's like, was like a body self conscious thing or. Or like a lack of being able to express personal creativity through clothes. I've always felt kind of self conscious about that or like, I don't know enough about it, or I'm not in tune enough with trends and fashion and whatnot. But in working with Erica in the last few years, it's become like a creative collaboration. It's really fun and really exciting. And like last night, for example, was the Chita Rivera Awards fun. And I was nominated for best dancer of the year, and our ensemble was nominated for best ensemble, and our amazing choreographer, Shannon was nominated for best choreography. And so the outfit that I chose last night was this, like, Thom Brown. It was like a white tux jacket with a bow tie and black shorts.
Marlee Marius
We love the gam on the carpet.
Jonathan Groff
I was giving gams it was giving this, it was giving that for our Tonys look.
Chloe Mel
Are you gonna go wild or classic? What did you wear last year when you won?
Jonathan Groff
Oh, my gosh. Last year I went classic with, like, sort of like a. It was like a. It was a jacket with, like, a shawl. My big regret last year, honestly.
Chloe Mel
Yeah, we love regrets.
Jonathan Groff
My regret was that I didn't button the jacket when I went up to accept the award because it was this. It was this beautiful shawl collar, kind of like dramatic drape down, but without it buttoned, it looked a little, like, unfinished. And so my regret is that when I went up there to accept the award, I forgot to button my jacket.
Chloe Mel
Keep it button this year.
Jonathan Groff
Keep it button for safety, just in case.
Marlee Marius
Yeah, but, like, nerves wise, now that you've, like, obviously you've been to the Tonys many times. You. You've been nominated four times. You had the win last year. Like, you know how it goes each way. Does that make you less nervous going into it this year? Are you, like, ready to, like, go and just kind of like, have a good time, or is it still kind of like the pomp and circumstances, like, nervous making?
Jonathan Groff
It's such a. I was talking about this. Yeah. This morning with my friend. Like, it's such a. It's such an interesting negotiation of internal emotion, ego, and expectation. Because on one hand, like, we do what we do. If you're a theater actor and you live in New York, you're here because you love what you do, not because you necessarily wanted to become famous or outward vision of success as an actor is something that most people would move to Los Angeles for. If that's what you're looking for, is like, to be well known in that kind of way. So it's like a childhood dream and a signal of success and acceptance.
Chloe Mel
Who do you bring?
Jonathan Groff
This year? It's my parents. Cause it's at Radio City this year. Last year it was at Lincoln Center. This year it's Radio City. So it's a way bigger theater, so we could bring more people. Bringing my mom, my dad, my brother, his wife, and my two nieces who are 8 and 10 years old.
Chloe Mel
Oh, my God.
Jonathan Groff
I know, right?
Marlee Marius
I guess you're gonna perform, right?
Chloe Mel
Your poor brother and his wife. How are they ever gonna top this? They're 8 and 10. Literally, it's like Minecraft. I went to the Tonys, they came.
Jonathan Groff
To the premiere of Frozen 2. So really, the Tonys is a downgrade from Frozen 2 for the. For the. For the nieces. You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah.
Chloe Mel
Like Bobby who?
Jonathan Groff
Yes, exactly. Exactly.
Chloe Mel
The run through will be back in just a moment.
Jamilah Robinson
I'm Jamilah Robinson, host of Food People. On Food People, we talk about how food and drink shape our society. I talk to the luminaries making big moves in the culinary industry, from chefs and entrepreneurs to celebrities and even activists.
Jonathan Groff
The combination between a school and a restaurant, the next generation of Ethiopian chefs.
Chloe Mel
A lot more than food goes on in a kitchen. It's where you have your loudest arguments.
Jonathan Groff
It's often where you have your loudest laughter. I'm Italian, Mexican. I'm a comedian. There's gonna be lots of opinions.
Jamilah Robinson
So if you want to go deep on how food creates the world we live in, join me on Food People. Food People is available on the podcast app of your channel.
Chloe Mel
I want to know what you're doing to have fun when you're killing yourself eight times a week and preparing for the Tonys. Like, is Cowboy Carter on your dance card?
Jonathan Groff
I am so excited. I will say, and this is true, that the show is the joy for me, like, and the show, and it's not even, like, the performing of it is the reward. Like, that. That is the most exciting and amazing and fulfilling part of my day. I have this line at the end of the show when I'm back to being myself, where I say doing this, meaning, like, interacting with the audience, this is when he felt the most alive. Honestly. Same.
Chloe Mel
Okay.
Jonathan Groff
And I feel that. That being said, so you better believe. Sunday night, I will be at the Cowboy Carter Tour with bells on. And also on Monday, July 7, in Washington, D.C. on our day off at the Cowboy Carter tour. Oh, maybe.
Chloe Mel
And what are you wearing? Because just for the listeners who don't know, you are a big Beyonce, Stan.
Jonathan Groff
Huge. Like, Beyonce's the closest thing I have to religion.
Marlee Marius
Okay, beautiful.
Jonathan Groff
I decided a couple of days ago I want to be in leather. I think I might have a little bit of a leather fetish, if I really am honest with myself. Like, the smell of leather.
Chloe Mel
Have you seen what Alexander Skarsgrd's been wearing at Cannes?
Jonathan Groff
No, but you just take a look for Inspo. You just said his name and I started salivating.
Chloe Mel
No, no, just look. Big leather energy. Big fetish energy. It's crazy.
Jonathan Groff
What I'm gonna go for, if I can find it, is leather chaps, a leather vest, and a leather cowboy hat.
Marlee Marius
This sounds hot. That's all I'm saying.
Jonathan Groff
Like, physically hot.
Marlee Marius
This sounds hot.
Chloe Mel
Oh, I was like, it does sound hot.
Jonathan Groff
But I'm thinking. But I'm thinking, like, I'm thinking the leather chaps, like, with like, with like a jean underneath. That's kind of hot. Yes. But the vest, I'm thinking no shirt.
Marlee Marius
Okay. Okay.
Jonathan Groff
It's just like a leather.
Chloe Mel
That sounds sticky, but you do you.
Jonathan Groff
Another guy shirt and then cowboy hat that I'll probably take off at some point. Right.
Marlee Marius
Because I think it could be fun.
Jonathan Groff
I don't know this. What I'm. Listen, I'm going to sweat regardless because the minute I. The minute she appears on stage, I'm going to just get completely wet. But because I'm thinking in July when I go on the 7th, it's going to be super hot in D.C. too. In D.C. so that's going to be just like cut off jean shorts. Maybe it's. It's leather shorts. Maybe. Maybe it's just like leather is my whole.
Chloe Mel
Okay.
Jonathan Groff
I do have leather shorts from Pride. Well, I got the leather shorts, I think in Berlin when I was there and I started to, like, get into the harness of it all. So I'm in the. I'm in. I'm in Club Hoedown. I'm standing in the center section.
Chloe Mel
Who do you go with?
Jonathan Groff
I'm going with five friends.
Marlee Marius
Okay.
Jonathan Groff
My friend Katie, who I've known since sixth grade. Lea Michele.
Chloe Mel
Fab. What is she wearing?
Jonathan Groff
Great question. I don't know. Tbd. Jenny T. Jenny T. My dear friend and publicist. My friend Alexis and her husband Raul and me, that group and that night. And that outfit is gonna be essential. And it's like that, like, I listened to. I was listening to Kevin Carter today. It was like in the Spotify wrap up, all five songs of the year were all from Cowboy Card Man. And my number one artist, Number one was Beyonce. Number two was Bobby Darius.
Marlee Marius
That's a beautiful thing.
Jonathan Groff
Last year on Spotify, which really sums up. Sums it up for me this year. But I'm so excited, obviously. I've been watching the clips online and like, it's so profound what she does. She is. She, like, Bobby Darin is not just singing music. She is. She's even taking it like a million times more. And she's like, she's giving me my religion for my life. I really mean it. I just love her so much, believe in what she does so much and what she's saying. Yes.
Marlee Marius
Jonathan, so many great shows on this season. Have you been able to see anything else?
Jonathan Groff
I have. In the fall and winter. We were just in early. I was doing my music lessons and My dance lessons, so I had a lot of time to see shows. I went to see Gypsy, which I loved. And I saw Sunset Boulevard, which I loved.
Marlee Marius
Those are both insane.
Jonathan Groff
Both insane.
Marlee Marius
Complimentary, Complimentary. Insane.
Jonathan Groff
Yeah, insane in a great way. Oh, my God. Recently on, like, on a day off, like a month or two ago, I went to see the revival of Floyd Collins, which I also died for. And yeah, I saw maybe Happy Ending, which I also love.
Marlee Marius
You've seen things. That's great.
Jonathan Groff
Yeah. I like Anna. Try to see everything.
Chloe Mel
A creature of.
Jonathan Groff
I mean, Omari. But let's just, like, we gotta give it up to Omari.
Marlee Marius
Oh, my God.
Jonathan Groff
Cause Omari is one of the. Cole. Come on.
Marlee Marius
And we love Conrad, Rick, Amora.
Jonathan Groff
We love Omari. Yeah. Come on. That was like. That's my favorite thing I've seen in many years. I just love that so much. Oh, my God.
Marlee Marius
Love. Amazing. It's a great season, and you're part of a great season. Thank you so much.
Jonathan Groff
Thank you. Thanks for having me.
Marlee Marius
My mom and I loved Just in time. We had the time of our lives. It was insane.
Chloe Mel
Yes.
Jonathan Groff
Amazing.
Marlee Marius
We were dying.
Jonathan Groff
Yay. I love it.
Marlee Marius
Yeah. Thank you.
Jonathan Groff
Thank you.
Chloe Mel
That's it for the show today. See you soon. The Run through is produced by Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma and Joanna Solotarov. It's engineered by Jake Loomis. Stephanie Karaoke is our executive producer and Chris Bannon is Conde Nast's head of Global audio.
Cho Minardi
Hi, it's Cho Minardi. If you're not on the Vogue app yet, what the hell are you doing? You can follow along with me and other editors as we talk about everything happening in fashion. Think you're already a fashion expert? Well, find out how your Runway IQ stacks up against the Vogue community with an all new Runway genius leaderboard. So download the Vogue app today and you'll never miss a moment.
Chloe Mel
At pitpass by discount tire. We're changing the way tires should be bought, so it's as easy as 1, 2.
Jonathan Groff
Done.
Chloe Mel
Buy and book online at discounttire.com pitpass today.
Jonathan Groff
From PRX.
Podcast Summary: The Run-Through with Vogue Episode: Jonathan Groff on Bobby Darin, Divas, and His Leather Era Release Date: May 27, 2025
Introduction to the Interview In this engaging episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, hosts Chloe Mel and Marlee Marius sit down with the talented Jonathan Groff to delve into his portrayal of Bobby Darin in the Broadway musical Just In Time. The conversation offers a deep dive into Jonathan's artistic journey, the physical and emotional demands of his role, his passion for performance, and his unique fashion choices.
Jonathan Groff's Current Role and Achievements Jonathan Groff is currently captivating audiences as Bobby Darin in the Broadway production of Just In Time. His outstanding performance has earned him a Tony nomination, building on his previous accolades, including a Tony win for Merrily We Roll Along and a Grammy for his role in Hamilton (Marlee Marius, [02:27]).
Notable Quote: Marlee Marius describes Jonathan as "charm on two legs" ([02:17]).
Preparing for the Role of Bobby Darin Jonathan shares the evolution of Just In Time, highlighting its transformation from a concert performance in 2018 to a full-fledged Broadway musical. He emphasizes the unique concept of transforming the Circle in the Square Theatre into a vibrant nightclub, reminiscent of the Copacabana, to capture Bobby Darin's dynamic presence ([10:13]).
Notable Quote: Jonathan explains, "We’re trying to celebrate being in the present moment and that energy between performer and audience which was his magic" ([12:58]).
The Nature of the Show Just In Time is not just a biographical musical; it immerses the audience in the live, electrifying atmosphere that defined Bobby Darin's performances. Jonathan discusses the interactive nature of the show, where he begins as himself, establishing a personal connection with the audience before delving into Darin's life and music ([10:40]).
Notable Quote: He states, "Bobby Darin was performing with absolutely everything he had" ([14:00]).
Physical Demands and Preparation Portraying Bobby Darin is a physically demanding role that Jonathan fulfills eight performances a week. He candidly describes the rigorous preparation, comparing it to "running a marathon" and admits that despite the exhaustion, his love for the role keeps him energized and motivated ([15:01]).
Notable Quote: Jonathan humorously remarks, "I am killing myself," but clarifies it's "all in the spirit of Bobby Darin" ([15:17]).
Fashion and Style Choices Fashion plays a significant role in Jonathan's portrayal of Bobby Darin. He collaborates closely with his stylist, Erica Cloud, to curate outfits that reflect Darin's iconic style while infusing his personal flair. Jonathan shares his sartorial experimentation, including his newfound love for leather, which he attributes to his appreciation for high-energy performers like Beyoncé ([17:11]).
Notable Quote: Jonathan reveals, "I think I might have a little bit of a leather fetish, if I really am honest with myself" ([23:15]).
Personal Life and Theater Experiences Beyond his current role, Jonathan touches upon his rich history in theater, mentioning his admiration for performers like Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Beyoncé. He recounts his experiences in various productions and his dedication to continuous growth as an artist ([25:24]).
Notable Quote: He reflects, "Beyoncé is the closest thing I have to religion" ([25:25]).
Thoughts on Performances and Other Shows Jonathan shares his enthusiasm for other theatrical productions he has attended, such as Gypsy, Sunset Boulevard, and Floyd Collins. His active engagement with the theater community underscores his commitment to the craft and his passion for live performances ([26:08]).
Notable Quote: He expresses his love for theater by stating, "I just love that so much" ([26:44]).
Conclusion The episode wraps up with heartfelt appreciation from both hosts for Jonathan's contributions to the arts and their shared admiration for his work in Just In Time. Jonathan's infectious passion and dedication provide listeners with an inspiring glimpse into the life of a devoted performer striving to honor and immortalize the legacy of Bobby Darin.
Notable Quote: Chloe Mel concludes with enthusiasm, "That's it for the show today. See you soon," highlighting the warm and engaging nature of the conversation ([27:26]).
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This comprehensive summary captures the essence of Jonathan Groff's interview on The Run-Through with Vogue, providing listeners with valuable insights into his artistic process, personal experiences, and the intricate balance between performance and personal expression.