Sarah Hyland to portray the iconic Connie Francis on Broadway in ‘Just in Time’
Actress and singer Sarah Hyland, perhaps best known for her iconic role as Haley Dunphy for 11 seasons’ worth of TV’s hit show “Modern Family” is once again hitting the Broadway stage, this time stepping into a new role as singer Connie Francis in the musical Just in Time – the Bobby Darin bio‑musical currently running at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York.
Just in Time is a jukebox‑style musical built around the life and music of entertainer Bobby Darin. It features many of his biggest hits (“Beyond the Sea,” “Splish Splash,” “Dream Lover,” “Mack the Knife,” etc.) and dramatizes the arc of his fame — from early rise to personal relationships — set against the backdrop of the 1950s and ’60s., according to Broadway.com.
The production uses an immersive setting, a nightclub‑style arrangement, a live band on stage and features an ensemble cast.
Sarah Hyland takes over the Connie Francis role beginning today, October 8. She’s succeeding Gracie Lawrence, who played Francis in the original cast and earned a Tony Award nomination for the part. Lawrence’s final performance was on October 5, according to Broadway Direct.
Hyland assumes the role of Connie Francis opposite Jonathan Groff, who stars as Bobby Darin.
The beloved Connie Francis was a major pop star of the 50’s and 60’s, known for hits like “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool” and “Where the Boys Are,” among others. Francis also had a romantic and professional relationship with Darin in her early career.
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Sarah Hyland Bio
Connie Francis Bio
Bobby Darrin Bio
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Since graduating from “Modern Family,” Hyland has been making strides into her theatrical work. She debuted on Broadway at age 16 in Grey Gardens, and more recently appeared in Little Shop of Horrors (off‑Broadway) and The Great Gatsby on Broadway.
Connie Francis passed away in July 2025 at the age of 87. Her presence in the show is not just dramatic but also commemorative. Hyland described taking on the role of Connie Francis as “surreal,” particularly because of Francis’s iconic status, according to People. She praised the support that she’s received from the cast and creative team.
For more on Hyland’s return to Broadway in Just in Time, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Cover photo: Sarah Hyland and Connie Francis photos: Image credit, X)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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