Michele Pawk lauded by costar Jonathan Groff for role in ‘Just in Time’
Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theater has become the Copa Cabana Night Club for a production of “Just in Time,” a musical about singer-songwriter Bobby Darin. It is up for six Tony Awards this year, including one for star Jonathan Groff, who could collect another Best Actor trophy on Sunday, June 8, for his portrayal of Darin.
Though Groff portrays the title character of the show, he credits Butler’s own Michele Pawk as the soul of the show, calling her a “once-in-a-generation talent.”
“There is no one like her,” Groff said. “She has a soulfulness, depth, humor and uniqueness that is unparalleled.”
Pawk, 63, is an alumna of Knoch High School, and found her passion in musical theater after, in college, she transferred from Allegheny College to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She worked in television and film in Los Angeles for six years, then moved to New York City and began her career on Broadway, landing roles in 13 Broadway shows, and earning a Tony Best Actress award in 2003 for her role in “Hollywood Arms.”
Pawk’s role in “Just in Time” is as Polly Walden, the Vaudeville veteran who raised Darin and drove him to stardom, and always remained in Darin’s head, nudging him and the story forward. Pawk fully inhabits Polly, adopting her determination and gutsy, raspy vocals and her heart.
Pawk, who read biographies about Darin and devoured videos of Vaudeville performers to portray Polly, said she enjoyed doing research for the part. However, she said her relationship with Groff provides a good emotional foundation for the show.
“We played mother and son in 2008 in the play ‘Prayer for the Enemy’ and bonded deeply,” Groff said. “I think I begged her to do (‘Just in Time’).”
Though she said she adores Groff, Pawk said she turned the role down at first because it would be too demanding to take it on with her full-time job teaching at Wagner College and acting in a Broadway production of “Wicked.”
“I love him, love him, love him,” Pawk said, “and I hated to turn him down.”
Weeks later, Pawk saw Groff’s Tony Award-winning performance in “Merrily We Roll Along,” where Groff “did the hard push” and convinced her to meet his creative team after the show.
“Once in the room with them, I was hooked,” Pawk said, who then retired after 14 years of teaching.
“Michele is the soul of our cast in the show and off stage in our company,” Groff said. “She opens up a dimension in the show that is spiritual and incredible.”
Pawk welcomed another opportunity to originate a role, she said. “You get to provide your input and help them bring their vision to the stage.”
But Pawk said she finds the scene changes challenging. “The ‘choreography’ backstage is very intricate and fast,” she said.
In one scene, after Polly dies, Darin is rehearsing, desperate to save his career, when he adjusts his fedora, snaps his fingers and freezes. Pawk emerges from the orchestra section to give him advice, before running to a dressing room backstage.
“Sometimes we change in the hallway,” Pawk said.
Pawk commutes from her home in East New Jersey for eight shows a week. That trek, plus voice lessons and working out to stay in shape makes her life hectic.
“Broadway is not all glamour. Your entire day revolves around the show,” Pawk said.
Groff learned that Pawk was planning to leave New York and “felt that she had to do this role,” he said, likening it to how Polly left Vaudeville.
Her contract with “Just in Time” runs until March 2026, and Pawk relocating to Butler County is one possibility.
Pawk said she always will perform and might direct, but she is looking for less stress.
“I’m ready for the next chapter,” Pawk said. “I’d like to have a vegetable garden and quiet.”
