Years back, when Connie Francis, the iconic 1950s pop sensation, was posed with a rhetorical question about who she'd envision portraying her in a hypothetical future biopic, her response was swift and unhesitating. "An unknown," she declared with confidence. Gracie Lawrence, who stumbled upon this vintage witticism while delving into her role as Francis—not for a distant biopic but for 'Just in Time,' a fresh Broadway musical chronicling the tumultuous life of fellow '50s crooner Bobby Darin—admired her predecessor's audacious reply. "I found that answer incredibly bold and it's part of why I cherish her," Lawrence remarks. Continuing, she says, "To the extent that I still feel like an enigma, I sense that I'm fulfilling her wish."
For Lawrence, 28, who has been at the helm of the soul-pop band Lawrence (alongside her brother Clyde) for almost a decade, describing herself as an "unknown" might be a bit of an exaggeration. Over the years, they've unleashed four studio albums, rocked stages at Coachella and Bonnaroo, and recently opened for acts like the Jonas Brothers and The Rolling Stones. Her guest appearances on high-profile shows such as 'The Americans' and 'Billions,' along with her role as a series regular on 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' (replacing Reneé Rapp), have further cemented her presence in the entertainment world. Even on Broadway, she's not a complete newcomer. "I actually did 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' when I was 12," she reminisces. "It was my maiden voyage into professional acting, and I vividly recall the thrill of standing on stage, feeling the audience's reactions in that intimate setting. It was like being The Beatles."
Playing Francis on the Great White Way marks a significant milestone in Lawrence's career, particularly for an artist who has been honing her vocal prowess since she was five, belting out Duke Ellington's "Take the A Train" in a kindergarten music class. Raised in a family of New York creatives—her father, screenwriter Marc Lawrence, renowned for penning 'Miss Congeniality,' and her mother, a dance teacher—she attributes her parents for fostering not just her talent but also her passion for the industry.
"As a child, I donned the mantle of the Wicked Witch in a production of 'The Wizard of Oz,' and my mother observed how deeply I immersed myself in the role," she recounts. "Every evening at home, I'd practice my lines relentlessly." When Alex Timbers, the director behind 'Moulin Rouge!' and 'American Utopia,' reached out to Lawrence last summer regarding an initial workshop for 'Just in Time,' she was amidst a tour and gearing up for a performance at Radio City. The logistical hurdles of committing to a Broadway play seemed formidable, yet the allure of portraying a legend such as Francis, whose music was an integral part of her childhood courtesy of her parents' playlists, and the prospect of collaborating with Jonathan Groff as Darin—whose portrayal of King George in 'Hamilton' left the front row drenched in laughter-induced saliva—proved too irresistible to decline. "Our bond was instantly forged on the workshop's opening day," she beams, referring to her new co-star.
The musical weaves the tumultuous love story of Darin and Francis through their timeless catalog, including hits like "Dream Lover," "Splish Splash," and "Who’s Sorry Now?" that resonate with audiences young and old. Although Darin eventually tied the knot with singer Sandra Dee (portrayed by Erika Henningsen), his friendship with Francis endured until his untimely death from heart complications in 1973, aged just 37.
This role granted Lawrence a reprieve from singing her own autobiographical tunes on stage, much like her portrayal of Kacey, the theater-loving geek in the TV series 'Sex Lives of College Girls' this winter. "Kacey grapples with genuine performer's insecurities, which I can empathize with as someone still gripped by stage fright before every performance," Lawrence admits. "Moreover, Connie's journey mirrors that of a woman in the music industry. I've often found myself as the sole woman in songwriting sessions."
While 'Just in Time' is still in previews ahead of its April 26 opening, Lawrence's fans have already flocked to the theater. "They inform me that, since the band isn't touring currently, they've come to see me here instead," she shares. After performances, she greets hordes at the stage door, engaging young women in conversations about their theater passion and receiving heartfelt gifts, recently including a hand-drawn portrait of the entire cast.
The genuine Connie Francis, now 87 and residing in Florida, hasn't witnessed Lawrence's portrayal yet, but the actress is at peace with that. "Part of how I honor her," she explains, "is by allowing her to do whatever shepleases."
