Award-winning actor Jonathan Groff is set to make a poignant return to Broadway with his performance in “The Amish Project,” a solo play that will delves into themes of grief and forgiveness. The production is scheduled to open on February 10, 2027, at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City.
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Written by Jessica Dickey and directed by Sarna Lapine, “The Amish Project” is inspired by a tragic real-life event that unfolded in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, in 2006, near Groff’s childhood home in Lancaster County. The play explores the aftermath of a school shooting where local milk truck driver Charles Roberts entered an Amish schoolhouse, where he tragically took the lives of five young girls before turning the gun on himself. The event left a profound impact on the community, captivating the nation as the Amish families displayed extraordinary compassion, offering forgiveness and support to the gunman’s family in the days that followed.
In announcing the production, Groff reflected on the profound significance of the story. “Twenty years ago this month, an unimaginable tragedy happened in a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Jessica Dickey wrote an astounding work of art in response,” he expressed in a statement. Groff described his initial encounter with the script, saying, “I was floored by the urgency and potent poetry of Jessica’s writing as she dives headfirst into the many aftershocks of this horrific event and explores the idea that sometimes the most radical human act is forgiveness.”
“The Amish Project” began its journey at the New York International Fringe Festival and was further developed at Cherry Lane Theatre before making its Off-Broadway debut at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in 2009. Since then, it has become Dickey’s most produced play, gaining traction across the United States and internationally. Its upcoming Broadway premiere will reintroduce the work to a new audience nearly two decades after its initial creation.
Dickey commented on the emotional weight of returning to her work, stating, “I wrote The Amish Project in the heartbreak of my twenties, grappling with how to make a meaningful life as an artist in a world capable of such violence. The play launched my writing career and changed my life.” She noted that the themes within the play remain relevant and urgent today, making its reopening particularly significant.
The show marks another collaboration between Groff and producers Robert Ahrens and Tom Kirdahy, who previously worked with him on the musical “Just in Time,” which revolves around the life of entertainer Bobby Darin. In that production, Groff’s performance garnered him a Tony Award nomination following his Tony-winning role as Franklin Shepard in the recent revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.”
While Groff has seen considerable acclaim for his musical theatre roles, including parts in “Spring Awakening” and “Hamilton,” “The Amish Project” represents a shift to a more dramatic performance. Here, Groff will embody the entire community’s experiences through the lens of a single actor, a unique challenge that he embraces wholeheartedly.
Director Sarna Lapine, who has previously worked on acclaimed productions such as the Broadway revival of “Sunday in the Park with George,” shared her thoughts on the piece, highlighting its lingering impact: “It is a piece that stays with you for days, weeks, months, years after you’ve sat with it.” She commended Dickey’s writing, calling it a testament to resilience amidst fragility.
Both producers have echoed Lapine’s sentiments, affirming that Groff’s “humanity, generosity, and gift for storytelling” will be critical in bringing the play to life. As audiences prepare for its debut, there is palpable excitement surrounding Groff’s unique portrayal of such a complex and impactful narrative.
Fans eager to witness Groff’s return to the stage can look forward to early-access presales for “The Amish Project,” which will commence on November 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET, with general sales opening the next day. For more information and to register for early access, interested parties can visit AmishProjectBroadway.com. This new production promises to not only tell a powerful tale but also provoke meaningful conversations about compassion and forgiveness in the face of adversity.