Lin-Manuel Miranda Praises Jonathan Groff In Broadway’s Just In Time
Hamilton creator compares Groff's stage presence to theater legends in heartfelt tribute.
Sakshi holds a bachelor’s degree in Science and a master’s in Bioinformatics from Panjab University, India. Her passion for writing engaging articles has led her to pursue a career in content writing since 2020. Sakshi has written in various niches, including health and wellness, fintech, blockchain, and lifestyle.
Read full bio of Sakshi
Image: Instagram
Broadway icon Lin-Manuel Miranda has shared a heartfelt tribute to actor Jonathan Groff, praising his powerful performance in the Broadway musical “Just In Time” and comparing his stage presence to theater legends.
In a passionate Instagram post, Miranda, the creator of hit musicals “Hamilton” and “In the Heights,” expressed his admiration for Groff’s distinctive energy and commitment on stage, dubbing him “Groffsauce” and highlighting his unforgettable intensity.
The Unmistakable Groff Intensity
“The thing about Groffsauce is every time he’s onstage, it feels like he’s JUST gotten the lead role in the school play for the first time, and he’s giving you 110% because this it’s senior year and nothing is more important than this moment right now,” Miranda wrote.
The post celebrates Groff’s memorable roles throughout his career, from Melchior in “Spring Awakening” to King George in “Hamilton,” Franklin Shepard in “Merrily We Roll Along,” and Jesse St. James in the TV series “Glee.”
Miranda specifically praised director Alex Timbers for how he “weaponizes this intensity” in the new production of “Just In Time,” describing the effect as “unfuckingbelievable.” The post includes photos of Groff performing on stage, capturing the electric energy Miranda describes.
A Company That Never Stops Moving
The “Hamilton” creator didn’t limit his praise to Groff alone. He also gave special recognition to other performers in the show: “It’s Groff and a CRACK company (shoutout to @vale_yamin @christinecornish and @juliagrondin who NEVER STOP MOVING THE WHOLE NIGHT?) just holding you in the palm of their hands.”
Comparing To Broadway Legends
Miranda elevated his praise by comparing Groff’s impact to relationships between legendary Broadway composers and performers: “I imagine this is how Hammerstein felt about Mary Martin, and how Sondheim felt about Bernadette.”
This comparison places Groff in the company of theater royalty, with Miranda drawing parallels to how Oscar Hammerstein II viewed Mary Martin (known for originating roles in “South Pacific” and “Peter Pan”) and Stephen Sondheim’s appreciation for Bernadette Peters (famous for her interpretations in numerous Sondheim works).
Living In The Time Of Jonathan Groff
Miranda concluded his tribute with profound gratitude: “I feel lucky beyond belief to be alive in the time of Jonathan Groff. His dreams are coming true right in front of you, and he feels it so profoundly that his dream becomes your dream too. Long may he reign.”
The post has resonated with Broadway fans, many of whom share Miranda’s appreciation for Groff’s distinctive stage presence and energy.
Broadway Legends Recognition
Miranda himself was recently featured in New York Magazine’s Yesteryear issue celebrating Broadway legends, where he appeared alongside icons Barbra Streisand and Bernadette Peters in a special photo spread honoring their contributions to theater history.
As Miranda continues celebrating other performers like Groff, his own legacy as one of Broadway’s most influential contemporary voices continues to grow, with his genuine enthusiasm for theater and fellow artists remaining one of his most endearing qualities.
For now, Miranda joins the chorus of admirers celebrating Jonathan Groff’s remarkable talent and the special magic he brings to every performance – a quality that, in Miranda’s view, makes Groff’s work not just entertaining but transformative for audiences lucky enough to witness it.
Trivia
Read full bio of Sakshi
