Jonathan Groff

From Spring Awakening to Hamilton, Jonathan Groff has had many game-changing Broadway roles. This year, the gay actor finally won a Tony for playing Frank in Merrily We Roll Along, a onetime flop from Stephen Sondheim that found critical acclaim in its revival four decades later.

Groff compared leading Merrily to being part of “a moment-to-moment obstacle course” for eight shows a week: “I tried to take everything one step at a time, lead with love and gratitude, and find the hilarity and joy in playing dress-up for a living.” The work paid off, and his 2024 highlight was “helping to shine a light on the brilliance and humanity of a piece that had been written off as eternally ‘problematic.’”

“Working in the theater is an act of service. I try to bring everything I’ve got to honor the material I’ve been given and then open my heart and soul and deliver it all for the audience,” he adds.

His message to the world? “Love is the answer to everything.” What’s next? “I dream about a break, a boyfriend, more Broadway.”