Jeremy Jordan Didn't Want to Be a 'Thirst Trap' in Broadway's “Just in Time”, So He Ditched the Shirtless Moment (Exclusive)

Hedy PhillipsFri, April 24, 2026 at 5:24 PM UTC

0

Jeremy Jordan in 'Just in Time'Credit: Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made -

Jeremy Jordan is currently starring as Bobby Darin in Broadway's Just in Time

He tells PEOPLE that he's been able to make the role his own after taking over from Jonathan Groff and Matthew Morrison

"I felt very taken care of. I felt very seen," he says of joining the company

Jeremy Jordan is doing Bobby Darin his way.

That means bringing his own flair to Just in Time on Broadway — and making a few tweaks here and there. Jordan stepped into the leading role on April 21 after originator Jonathan Groff departed and a short stint by Glee star Matthew Morrison. To take on the role of the crooner, Jordan had to do everything from step up his dance training to study Darin's life.

He also put in a request with the costume department to switch up the look for "Splish Splash."

Jeremy Jordan in 'Just in Time'Credit: Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

When Groff starred in the show, he performed the scene in a tiny swimsuit with no shirt. While singing in the bathtub, he had his body on full display. Jordan, in contrast, has opted to wear an old-fashioned swimming costume instead.

"It actually might be my favorite costume that I've ever worn," he tells PEOPLE exclusively with a bit of a laugh. "Listen, I'm 41, I'm not as cut as I used to be, so I'm a little bit self-conscious about that, and I just didn't want to add that element into it."

Jordan notes that "Splish Splash" was a bit of a camp song at its heart, so he leaned into that with the look, too.

"My pitch was like, instead of getting sexy and doing a thirst trap on stage in a bathtub, what if I just went comedy? And so, we built one of those old-timey swimsuits. It's like a tank top into swim trunks. It's fantastic."

As much as Jordan likes his swim costume, he says he's glad it's not part of the curtain call look so there won't be a ton of photos and videos of it. He jokes, though, that maybe he should put it on under his finale suit and "rip off" the top layer to give the audience another look at the swimsuit.

"Maybe I should just bust it out," he says with a laugh.

Advertisement

Carrie St. Louis and Jeremy Jordan in 'Just in Time'Credit: Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

For the role, Jordan had to up his dancing game, he says, as Darin was known for his moves. The dance-heavy show (currently playing at the Circle in the Square Theatre) is full of choreography, especially in the first half. While the Tony nominee is quick to admit he is not a dancer, he says he can "rip up the floor at a wedding."

"I've been in rehearsals for like a month and a half," he says. "A little on and off because I've had some other things, but yeah, we started with dance at the beginning. So I said, let's start with that. That's what I want the most time with."

Jordan, who most recently starred as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, says that Groff shared words of encouragement upon booking the role. He says that the two had a "long talk" where Groff, who was nominated for a Tony for his role as Darin, told him to "lean on the people."

"It's a great company, and everybody that's come through and is still in it has said it's one of the best buildings to work in," Jordan says. "Now that I've been there for about a month and a half, I can really attest to it. It's a really wonderful, nurturing group, and I felt very taken care of. I felt very seen."

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Jeremy Jordan and Isa Briones in 'Just in Time'Credit: Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made

Developed and directed by Alex Timbers, the immersive musical transforms the theater into a swinging nightclub, where Jordan plays a version of himself telling the story of Darin's meteoric rise from teen idol to global sensation.

The setup puts Jordan both in the position of narrator and central star, as he sings and dances through the crooner's catalog of classics, including “Beyond the Sea,” “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash” and “Dream Lover" — often interacting with the audience as Darin was known to do during his star-making concerts.

"What's great about the show is that they've let me do my version of it," he tells PEOPLE. "Not only have we rewritten the opening because I had to come out as me, but I get to bring my own energy to it."

Joining Jordan as new members of the cast are Isa Briones as Connie Francis and Carrie St. Louis as Sandra Dee. Just in Time officially opened on April 26, 2025, after beginning performances in March. Tickets are currently being sold through Sept. 6, 2026.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”