Categories: International

Ariana Madix joins Broadway’s JUST IN TIME for ten-week run

Ariana Madix will return to Broadway as Connie Francis in JUST IN TIME, joining the Bobby Darin musical at Circle in the Square Theatre for ten weeks from 12 September to 22 November 2026. Announced on 17 August 2026, the engagement follows her two 2024 runs in CHICAGO and adds a new limited casting period to the ongoing production.

Madix made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in CHICAGO on 29 January 2024. Bravo subsequently recorded that she completed two engagements in the musical during 2024. JUST IN TIME is therefore a Broadway return rather than a debut, and moves her from one established Broadway musical to another in a different role.

JUST IN TIME dramatises Darin‘s rise from teen idol to international star. Francis appears within that account of his career, giving Madix a part in a biographical musical built around Darin‘s life and recordings. The production is already running at Circle in the Square, so Madix will enter an established Broadway company rather than originate the role in a new opening.

The show presents its story in an immersive nightclub setting. Its score includes Darin-associated songs such as Beyond the Sea, Mack the Knife, Splish Splash and Dream Lover. The combination of biography, catalogue and nightclub-style staging provides the production context for Madix‘s portrayal of Francis. That repertory anchors the musical in songs linked directly to Darin, while the immersive format places the audience inside the production’s nightclub conception of his career.

The official production website currently markets Jeremy Jordan as Bobby Darin. That is the confirmed present billing for the central role, but it does not establish Jordan‘s performance schedule throughout Madix‘s future engagement. His casting was the subject of separate AussieTheatre coverage in January 2026. The announcement places Madix within the version of the company presently fronted in its marketing by Jordan.

The Connie Francis casting has changed during the Broadway run. Playbill reported that Olivia Holt began performances on 30 May 2026, succeeding Isa Briones. No verified final performance date for Holt has been established, and the official website does not describe Madix as her replacement. The confirmed sequence is therefore limited to the dates and succession that have been published. Holt‘s verified start and Madix‘s verified start do not, by themselves, establish the unannounced transition between them.

Madix‘s dates also sit within a wider calendar of limited engagements. The production’s official website announces Whitney Leavitt as Sandra Dee for six weeks from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. That appearance follows Madix‘s announced run but concerns a different role, extending the production’s published casting calendar into the new year.

JUST IN TIME was developed and directed by Alex Timbers. Warren Leight and Isaac Oliver wrote the book, Shannon Lewis created the choreography, and Andrew Resnick is credited with music supervision and arrangements. Their work underpins the immersive format promoted by the production at Circle in the Square.

According to the Internet Broadway Database, previews began on 31 March 2025 and the production officially opened on 26 April 2025. Both milestones took place at Circle in the Square, which remains the venue for Madix‘s announced engagement.

The production received six nominations at the 2025 Tony Awards. The ballot recognised performances by Jonathan Groff and Michele Pawk, together with scenic design, costume design, sound design and orchestrations. The nominations give Madix‘s casting the context of a show that had already attracted awards attention during its Broadway run. The breakdown spans two acting nominations and four nominations for design or musical presentation.

There is a direct Australian connection behind the Broadway production. IBDB lists Australian producer John Frost among the lead producers with Tom Kirdahy and Robert Ahrens. For Australian audiences, the relevance is concrete but limited to the producing team behind the New York staging.

AussieTheatre previously covered the musical generally in September 2025 and Jeremy Jordan‘s announced casting in January 2026. Those reports provide background to the current Broadway run, while Madix‘s ten-week engagement is a separate casting development involving a different performer and role.

The production has also announced a North American tour through its official website. No stops or dates have been published, and there is currently no Australian component to that announcement. The tour does not alter Madix‘s confirmed commitment, which is confined to the Broadway engagement in New York.

Tickets for the Broadway production are available through the official JUST IN TIME website. Madix‘s individual performance exclusions, if any, have not been published, and Jordan‘s current billing does not confirm his appearance at every performance during her run. Performance-specific casting remains the principal practical detail still to be confirmed for audiences selecting dates within the ten-week window.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com

James Kennedy

James is an arts journalist with a passion for all things musical theatre. James has been covering the world of theatre for over a decade, and his work has been featured in some of the most respected publications in the industry. He has a particular interest in the intersection of music, dance and storytelling, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative productions that push the boundaries of the form. James's background in music and performance has given him a unique perspective on the world of musical theatre. He understands the complexities of creating a successful production and can spot the talents of a rising star from a mile away. He is well-respected by his peers for his sharp writing and insightful analysis, and is known for his ability to bring the world of theatre to life for his readers. James is also an active member of the theatre community. He regularly participates in panel discussions and events. When he's not covering the latest shows, he can be found on the stage himself, performing in community productions.

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