As a long-time theater kid, it’s been a big week for me.
Last Sunday, the 77th Tony Awards occurred in New York City (aka it was arguably the biggest night for Broadway and theater kids all over the world). I honestly wasn’t really following all the shows this season, but I only really cared about one—Merrily We Roll Along.
Merrily We Roll Along is a Stephen Sondheim show that infamously flopped during its original run in 1981. Now, this current production was the first revival on Broadway, and an explosively successful one, at that. Most critics and fans are saying its success is mostly due to the show’s casting of its main trio—Lindsay Mendez, Daniel Radcliffe, and my personal favorite, Jonathan Groff.
Jonathan Groff is sort of that one Broadway man we all universally love as theater kids; he’s charming, humble, and always gives the vibe that he’s just happy to be there. After his Tony nominations for Spring Awakening in 2007 and Hamilton in 2016, fans have been itching for him to get the win he deserves.
Finally, he got his first Tony win and third nomination last Sunday for playing Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along. And I’m not even exaggerating when I say… THANK GOD. It’s about freaking time.
As I’ve spent the last few paragraphs talking about Groff and Merrily We Roll Along, I’m not ashamed to say how much of a fan I am and how proud I am of his insanely extensive career. With that, let me share my love for Tony winner Jonathan Groff, along with some material that made me fall in love with him over the years.
Spring Awakening at the 2007 Tonys
Let’s start where it all began.
Jonathan Groff got his first Tony nomination for playing Melchior Gabor in Spring Awakening, which won Best Musical that season. He was just 22 years old, pouring his soul out onstage in this show about teenagers discovering their sexuality in 19th-century Germany. (And did I mention all the songs are alternative rock?) Besides Spring Awakening being critically-acclaimed, the original Broadway cast also performed a kick-ass medley at the Tony Awards, which I feel is one of the best performances on the award show to date.
Forgetting the words to “Left Behind”
In line with Spring Awakening, Groff had a solo show at The Cabaret at the Columbia Club some years ago and shared a hilarious story about how he forgot the words to “Left Behind” during one of his performances on Broadway. Needless to say, his storytelling is just as funny as the story itself, and to this day, I still rewatch this video time and time again for a good laugh.
Jesse St. James performing Bohemian Rhapsody
Since I was only 6 years old when Spring Awakening was on Broadway, I wasn’t aware of it at the time (also due to its very mature material lol).
It was a few years after then that I was introduced to the man that is Jonathan Groff, and that was because of his role as Jesse St. James on Glee (I am soooo exposing myself as a Gleek out here). Anyone who wants to know how talented this man is needs to watch his performance of Bohemian Rhapsody (yes, by Queen) with Vocal Adrenaline from the Season 1 finale. It’s absolutely crazy that he only had a guest role on the show, and still tore the house down with this performance (dare I say, it’s the best one of the season).
Channeling his inner Sutton Foster
Like most of us, Jonathan Groff is also a massive theater kid and fan girl. So much so that at one Miscast benefit, he shared his love for the incomparable Sutton Foster by proving he knew her full choreography from the title number of Anything Goes. He boldly performed the eight-minute title song, inclusive of full tap choreography, backup dancers and all, and was visibly very sweaty by the end (he earned a standing ovation, though).
Is it a little insane? Yes it is. However, the commitment to the choreography, as well as Sutton’s mannerisms, was so impressive.
The Schuyler Georges
Back when Hamilton was thriving during its first year on Broadway, Lin Manuel Miranda initiated a weekly live performance entitled “Ham4Ham,” wherein he’d get members of the cast or any popular Broadway icons to perform on the steps of the theater for people lining up outside for the ticket lottery.
At one of those performances, Jonathan Groff, Brian D’Arcy James, and Andrew Rannells (all who have played King George III in the show) gave a surprise act by hilariously lip syncing to “The Schuyler Sisters.” Because of their fake king crowns and this once-in-a-lifetime performance, I guess we can say the lottery winners won more than just tickets that day!
Peeing while crying over his recent Tony nomination
Personally, one of my favorite aspects of being a Groff fan is how purely entertaining he is at talk show interviews. I truly never find myself getting bored while watching him simply because of how quick-witted and charismatic he is.
During this one interview with Seth Meyers, he talks about his emotional reaction to getting a Tony nomination for Merrily We Roll Along. He cites an instance where he started crying while peeing at a urinal because of it, and at this point, loyal Groff fans have probably become unfazed by this information. As the king of TMI, there came a point where bodily fluids (i.e. saliva, sweat, tears, pee) became a niche part of his personality, just because of how much he shares about them publicly. And yet, he does it in such a (strangely) loving and charming way that you can’t help but laugh and find him so comical despite it.
The Merrily We Roll Along lie detector test
For those who became fans of Groff only recently, it’s likely that this is the video that pushed them into the rabbit hole. While promoting Merrily We Roll Along, Groff, Mendez, and Radcliffe were constantly going to interviews and gimmicks as a trio. Given that the show is about friendship, they strategically showed watchers that their chemistry was just as vibrant offstage, as it was on.
In this lie detector test, their chemistry is most palpable, especially when it’s Groff’s turn to get strapped to the machine. His segment is full of laughs as Mendez and Radcliffe try to save him from answering a question about his aforementioned relationship with bodily fluids, as well as his delightful snappy quips with Judd the lie detector mechanic. Even with all the comedic moments, he’s able to share sweet and sincere moments with Mendez and Radcliffe that convince us their friendship is one that will last forever.
Over time, I’ve grown to admire Groff and his career more and more. From theater, to film, to TV—He’s tapped into all kinds of entertainment, and I can’t help but be impressed by his versatility. His Tony win was so justly earned after all these years of building himself up and becoming a veteran in the theater industry, and I’m so excited to see what’s next for him.
Congrats, Jonathan Groff! Who’s like you? Damn few.
I'm not even into theater and I've gone through all of your posts because the enthusiastic, conversational style is so addictive!