From Burlingame to Broadway

Bobby Darin, who won the second-ever Grammy for Best Record of the Year and had hit songs such as “Mack The Knife” covered by legends such as Frank Sinatra, will have his story head to the stage under the guidance of Oliva.

The production, opening at the Circle in the Square Theatre March 28, marks a major milestone for Oliva and his team. His journey to Broadway began after graduating from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and working at Ghostlight Records under the leadership of Kurt Deutsch, now a producer of The Notebook on Broadway.

With years of industry experience, investing in a Broadway show felt like a natural progression.

“It all came together because of our shared passion for jazz and the American songbook,” Oliva said. “Our work with Jazz at the Ballroom really laid the foundation for this project.”

Jazz at the Ballroom, a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting jazz, was key in bringing the production team together.

Along with board member Carole Middleton and founder Suzanne Waldowski, Oliva spearheaded fundraising efforts, securing investments from notable Peninsula community leaders. Their success granted them a co-producer credit, placing their names above the title of this highly anticipated musical.

“It’s been an exhilarating process, from raising funds to assembling a team of investors who believe in this show,” Waldowski said. “We are thrilled to see it come to life on Broadway.”

The project is deeply personal for Oliva, Waldowski and Middleton.

All three have strong roots in the Bay Area, where they cultivated a shared love of music and theater. Waldowski and Middletown, who have lived and raised children in Hillsborough for more than 20 years, emphasized how their connection with Oliva — formed by their mutual passion for jazz — led to this Broadway moment.

“It’s really a passion project that grew out of our love of the American songbook and our support of Jazz at the Ballroom,” Oliva said.

The nonprofit continues to bring classic jazz to audiences across California, furthering its mission of arts education and appreciation. Meanwhile, “Just in Time” is set to run from March 28 through July, with hopes of earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical in June.

“It’s been an incredible journey to see this project come to fruition,” Oliva said. “We can’t wait to share Bobby Darin’s story with the world.”