Jonathan Groff, renowned for his role in “Just in Time,” currently ranks second in Gold Derby’s predictions for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He is only behind his fellow “Glee” co-star Darren Criss, who is nominated for his performance in “Maybe Happy Ending.” Groff’s previous win for “Merrily We Roll Along” last year positions him as a strong contender to make history by becoming the first artist to win in this category back-to-back.
Historically, five actors have received Tony nominations for Best Actor in a Musical in successive years but failed to take home the award each time. These include Gregory Hines, George Hearn, Patrick Wilson, Michael Cerveris, and Brian d’Arcy James. Each faced a similar challenge of competing for the award two years in a row without a win.
While Groff’s stand-out performance is noteworthy, his show “Just in Time” did not secure a nomination for Best Musical, which may pose a disadvantage. The last actor to win the Best Actor category without a corresponding Best Musical or Best Revival nomination was Barry Bostwick for “The Robber Bridegroom” in 1977. Nonetheless, “Just in Time” gathered six nominations overall, which could indicate its strength in other categories, particularly with Gracie Lawrence’s surprising nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Additionally, Groff’s portrayal of famed musician Bobby Darin might provide him an edge, as Tony voters often favor performances that highlight real-life figures. Similar instances include John Lloyd Young as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys” and Jessie Mueller as Carole King in “Beautiful,” both of whom won their respective categories.
The competition this year is still fierce, with other nominees including Jeremy Jordan for “Floyd Collins,” Tom Francis for “Sunset Boulevard,” Andrew Durand for “Dead Outlaw,” and James Monroe Iglehart for “A Wonderful World.”
As the Tony Awards approach, Groff’s unique and compelling role alongside the recognition his show has received could lead him on a promising path to a historic win. The excitement of the nominations and anticipation for the award ceremony continues to build in the theater community and among fans alike.