The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade delivered one of its most talked-about moments when Broadway star Jonathan Groff reimagined Bobby Darin’s classic “Beyond the Sea” with a proudly queer twist — and brought Saturday Night Live comedian Bowen Yang into the spotlight for a flirty, joy-filled performance that captivated millions.

Groff, who currently leads the new Broadway musical Just in Time, stepped onto the NBC parade stage with a rendition of the beloved 1959 tune that was both nostalgic and refreshingly intimate. While the original lyrics reference a woman waiting by the shore, Groff made a deliberate, celebratory switch — substituting male pronouns and transforming the performance into a warm tribute to queer storytelling in American entertainment.

The moment unfolded as Groff sang the iconic opening lines, adjusting them to fit his version: “Somewhere beyond the sea, somewhere waiting for me, my lover stands on golden sands…” Then, pausing mid-performance, he invited Bowen Yang — who had been seated on the risers — to join him. As the crowd cheered, Groff proudly announced, “Let’s hear it for Bowen Yang!” before continuing the duet-inspired sequence.

Yang stepped into the spotlight with infectious excitement, and Groff took his hand gently, delivering a playful kiss before twirling the SNL star to the delight of spectators on-site and viewers at home. With the line, “Somewhere beyond the sea, he’s there watching for me,” Groff brought a rare burst of queer intimacy to one of America’s most traditional holiday broadcasts — a moment many applauded online for its authenticity and tenderness.

Once Yang returned to his seat, Groff continued the number with full theatrical power alongside his Just in Time cast members, including Sarah Hyland and Sadie Dickerson, who performed additional musical segments during the parade.

The Thanksgiving Day appearance marked a departure from Groff’s earlier performance of “Beyond the Sea” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, where he retained the original female pronouns. However, this time, in front of a national audience of more than 30 million viewers, he leaned fully into the Broadway musical’s queer reimagining of Darin’s story.

After the performance, parade hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, reuniting for their first Thanksgiving broadcast together in years, caught up with Groff and the cast. Groff described performing at the parade as a “childhood dream come true,” reflecting on the emotional significance of bringing the musical to such a massive platform — especially during the holiday season.

Just in Time traces the life and legacy of singer Bobby Darin through both modern and historical lenses, with Groff playing Darin in 2025 before the narrative travels back to the star’s peak in the 1950s and 1960s. Known for hits like “Mack the Knife” and his signature crooner style, Darin’s life was cut short in 1973 when he died at only 37 following heart surgery. The show’s cast recently earned a Grammy nomination for the official cast recording, helping elevate the production’s visibility well beyond Broadway.

Bowen Yang, who joined Groff in the parade moment that quickly went viral, is no stranger to musical performance himself. His recent film, Wicked: For Good, has been dominating the holiday box office and is expected to add more than $100 million to its total before the weekend ends.

With its blend of Broadway star power, queer celebration, nostalgia, and holiday sparkle, this year’s parade performance has already been hailed as one of the event’s standout moments — and an unforgettable milestone for LGBTQ+ representation on a national stage.

FAQ

1. Why did Jonathan Groff change the lyrics to “Beyond the Sea”?
Groff adapted the lyrics to align with the queer narrative of the Broadway musical Just in Time, where he plays Bobby Darin and portrays the story through a modern lens.

2. Who performed with Jonathan Groff during the parade?
He shared the stage with Bowen Yang from Saturday Night Live and cast members Sarah Hyland, Sadie Dickerson, and others from Just in Time.

3. Did viewers respond positively to the performance?
Yes. The moment between Groff and Yang trended online, drawing praise for its warmth, representation, and theatrical energy.

4. What is Just in Time about?
It is a jukebox musical about Bobby Darin’s life and career, combining modern storytelling with a journey into Darin’s rise in the 1950s and 1960s.

5. What made the performance significant?
It marked a rare instance of openly queer expression during a nationally televised tradition watched by millions on Thanksgiving morning.