**Broadway Adaptation of ‘The Great Gatsby’ Sees Former Disney Stars Shine**
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Ryan McCartan and China Anne McClain are captivating audiences on Broadway as they take on the iconic roles of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan in a musical version of ‘The Great Gatsby’. Accompanied by fellow Disney Channel alumnus Corbin Bleu, who plays the character Nick Carraway, the trio brings a unique flair to this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless 1925 novel.
Reflecting on their journey from Disney stars to Broadway performers, McCartan noted the special connection with their fans who have followed their careers since their early television days. “When we greet fans at the stage door, it’s all about Disney Channel,” he explained. While he appreciates the longstanding support, he expresses a desire for audiences to discover the depth of their talent beyond those familiar roles.
At the heart of the experience is the thrill that comes with live theatre. McCartan shared his awe of the extraordinary talent inherent in Broadway performances. “I feel here that I am the floor, not the ceiling,” he remarked, emphasising the exceptional skills of his fellow performers. This sense of camaraderie fuels the excitement of live theatre where the stakes feel much higher than those of pre-recorded shows.
McClain, relatively new to Broadway, is making her debut with ‘The Great Gatsby’. She reflected on how her years with Disney shaped her for the rigours of stage performance. The transitions from shooting episodes to performing live in front of audiences have taught her valuable lessons about versatility and spontaneity. “When I started on A.N.T. Farm, I was thrown into the ocean in a really good way,” she described, highlighting the diverse challenges of acting, dancing, and singing that she faced.
Both McCartan and McClain acknowledge that their Disney experience provided a robust training ground for Broadway’s demands. McCartan even described it as a breeding ground for “exceptionally talented, deeply hardworking people”. He stated, “There is no better place for exceptionally talented people who are willing to work really hard than Broadway.” Their Disney upbringing has certainly helped nurture skills that are now integral in their theatre careers.
However, McClain articulated the adjustment she had to make when transitioning from screen to stage. For her, the authenticity of live performance has redefined her approach. Unlike film and television, where scenes can be edited for perfection, the live nature of theatre offers a rawness that she finds invigorating. “When vocally sounding good is your main focus, it can disconnect you from the experience,” she explained. Her perspective underscores the community aspect of theatre, where performers share a moment with the audience rather than solely focusing on their individual performance.
McCartan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the beauty of imperfection in live theatre. He contrasted the polished world of Disney with the rich narratives that Broadway offers. “This is not a concert. It is a story. This is live,” he declared, emphasising the importance of embracing the flawed nature of storytelling.
Since the musical began its run, Disney fans have rushed to the theatres, often sharing their nostalgia with the cast at stage door meet-and-greets. McClain has encountered fans singing songs from the ‘Descendants’ series, while McCartan often discusses his character’s story arc from ‘Liv and Maddie’. While they cherish the enthusiasm from these fans, McCartan hopes that audiences will engage with their performances on a deeper level. “You’re witnessing a caliber of talent that is exclusive to right here, right now,” he remarked, encouraging viewers to look beyond nostalgia to appreciate the artistry on display.
‘The Great Gatsby’, with a score by Jason Howland and lyrics by Nathan Tysen, premiered at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse last year, where it set records as the highest-grossing production in the venue’s history before transferring to Broadway. In its ongoing run, it has already surpassed 1,000 performances and sold over one million tickets, clearly resonating with audiences.
As tickets for this enchanting musical are now available, McCartan, McClain, and Bleu continue to captivate new audiences, reminding them that the journey from childhood stars to Broadway actors is just the beginning of their artistic evolution. With their unwavering passion for performance, they are poised to leave a lasting imprint on the theatre landscape.