Is THE GREAT GATSBY The Brightest Light On Broadway?

THE GREAT GATSBY musical is now in full swing, promising all the glitz of the Roaring ’20s and the emotional heft of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless narrative. After treating myself to an early preview, I’m positively convinced this show will keep audiences rapt from the very first shimmer of sequins to the final bow.

A New Daisy In Town

One reason for the growing buzz is the arrival of Sarah Hyland, who steps into the role of Daisy Buchanan from 9 February. You may know her from MODERN FAMILY, or perhaps you caught her portraying Audrey in the Off-Broadway revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, but it’s worth digging deeper into her background to appreciate why her presence here is such a coup. Hyland’s Broadway debut was in GREY GARDENS —she was a mere teenager, appearing as a young Jackie Bouvier. Fast-forward to today, and she’s not just another Hollywood name hoping to dazzle a few fans under the stage lights. She’s an award-winning advocate for domestic abuse survivors and an animal welfare champion—her philanthropic work recently netted her the first-ever Variety Courage Award.

The industry scuttlebutt suggests her Daisy will be more complex than usual: part socialite, part dreamer, and fully mindful of the precarious position she occupies in that lavish, champagne-sodden world. And given the instant chemistry she’s reported to have with Ryan McCartan, who portrays Jay Gatsby, there’s no question this is a Broadway pairing to keep an eye on.

The Spirited Gatsby And His Cast Of Creatives

Now, speaking of Ryan McCartan, this isn’t his first time in a major musical—he’s performed in WICKED and FROZEN, accumulating a dedicated fan base along the way. There’s a certain emotional charge he brings on stage, making him a fitting choice for Gatsby: the man who throws those legendary parties yet remains an enigma at his own soirées.

And what’s a great show without a top-drawer ensemble? Noah J. Ricketts handles the role of Nick Carraway—often the narrator in other adaptations, but here a driving force in the action. Sara Chase brings comedic verve as Myrtle, while Samantha Pauly, famed for her portrayal of Katherine Howard in Six, steps into Jordan Baker’s shoes. Let’s not forget John Zdrojeski as Tom Buchanan, Terrence Mann as Wolfsheim, and Charlie Pollock as George Wilson. Together, they paint a tapestry of frenetic 1920s energy—jazz-fuelled nights set against the haunting undercurrent of American ambition gone awry.

Meet The Visionaries Behind The Scenes

If you think it’s just the performers who deserve the applause, think again. This production boasts a creative team that reads like a Broadway all-star list. The music and lyrics come from Nathan Tysen (whose work on Paradise Squaregarnered critical praise) and Jason Howland, best known for BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. The book is penned by Kait Kerrigan, a Jonathan Larson Grant winner lauded for her innovative approach in THE MAD ONES.

As for direction, Marc Bruni—once again of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL fame—helms the show, accompanied by choreography from Dominique Kelley, known for blending classic dance with a dash of showbiz spectacle. They’re the sort of team that knows how to convey both the epic scale of Gatsby’s parties and the intimate tragedy that lurks beneath all that champagne fizz.

Credit must also go to the design experts: Paul Tate de Poo III handles scenic and projection design, while Linda Cho—recent Tony Award winner for Best Costume Design of a Musical (2024)—makes sure every fringe, feather, and flapper dress glistens under the stage lights. Sound design is helmed by Brian Ronan, an industry veteran, and lighting by Cory Pattak, who’s dedicated to capturing the ever-shifting mood of Gatsby’s world. Hair and wig design, courtesy of Charles G. LaPointe and Rachael Geier, rounds out that 1920s glamour.

The finishing touches? Arrangements by Jason Howland and orchestrations by Howland and Kim Scharnberg. Daniel Edmonds serves as music director, and Grammy winner Billy Jay Stein is on board as music producer, ensuring each note resonates crisply throughout the Broadway Theatre.

Why This Show Is Such a Hit

It’s easy to dismiss yet another adaptation of a beloved classic as mere nostalgia. But consider this: THE GREAT GATSBY remains one of the most studied novels in American high schools, with an enduring cultural footprint that rarely wanes. Why does it speak so powerfully, especially today? Because Gatsby’s struggle—to reinvent oneself in pursuit of a dream—resonates in our modern era of influencers and curated social media lives. We’re all performing to some extent, perpetually polishing an online persona, and hoping that the right people notice.

Add to this the Roaring ’20s setting, a time notorious for wealth, excess, and simmering social tensions. The parallels to our own time of rapid change and economic disparity are difficult to ignore. When staged as a musical, that commentary becomes even more layered: the toe-tapping tunes and glossy dancing nearly mask the story’s underlying sorrow. This dynamic—treading the line between dazzling entertainment and cautionary moral—adds depth to the spectacle.

If numbers speak louder than words, then note that the Broadway League recently reported a 15% increase in audience turnout for literary-based musicals compared to the previous season. It seems that the blend of a recognised storyline, combined with the novelty of original music, has struck a chord with theatregoers hungry for both familiarity and innovation.

A Surprising Twist On The Costumes

We all know that THE GREAT GATSBY took home the 2024 Tony Award for Best Costume Design of a Musical, but here’s an intriguing snippet: rumour has it that costume designer Linda Cho aimed to blend historically accurate silhouettes with subtle hints of modern high fashion. This means that while Daisy’s dresses sparkle with authentic 1920s flair, there are nuanced, contemporary touches in the embroidery and accessories. The effect is a conversation between past and present. Cho’s approach, or so I’m told, stems from her belief that musicals set in specific historical periods must still speak to a modern audience—and we connect more readily with garments that feel relevant, even if we can’t put our finger on exactly why.

It’s a small detail, but it highlights a larger trend in theatre design: the best productions transcend mere recreation and instead spark a dialogue about why a story from nearly a century ago still rings true. So if you spot hints of more current style influences in Daisy’s headbands or Jordan’s athletic daywear, you’re not imagining things.

The Power Of A First-Ever Variety Courage Award Winner

Broadway watchers tend to focus on stage credits, but Sarah Hyland brings more than acting chops to the table. She was recently honoured with the first-ever Variety Courage Award, emphasising her commitment to social issues—from domestic abuse awareness to championing animal welfare. If that doesn’t demonstrate the social impact performers can wield, I don’t know what does.

It might be tempting to see Hyland simply as a comedic star from television, but she’s steadily built a reputation for using her platform responsibly. One of her most notable initiatives involves working with charities that rescue animals from abusive environments—she’s reportedly fostered several pets over the years, ensuring they find forever homes. For a musical like THE GREAT GATSBY, which dissects wealth, privilege, and moral responsibility, having a lead actor personally connected to real-world advocacy offers an intriguing parallel. Daisy, after all, grapples with the consequences of her own privilege in the novel.

To witness THE GREAT GATSBY on Broadway is to feel the pulse of a decade that, for all its jazz and glamour, grappled with profound yearnings and heartbreak. And while we may no longer sip bootleg gin in hidden speakeasies, we remain enthralled by the lure of reinvention and the cost it exacts. In this new musical, each character steps into the spotlight with a song in their heart—a song that underscores their hopes, their follies, and their private dreams.

Theatre, at its best, doesn’t just entertain us for a night; it leaves us pondering our place in the grand tapestry of human desire. So if you’re considering which production should top your must-see list this season, let me save you the trouble of dithering. THE GREAT GATSBY beckons, and it’s quite the party—complete with a heartbreakingly human story beneath all the glitter.

For those who, like me, yearn for a reminder that great storytelling can balance spectacle and soul, this production delivers in spades. Step into Gatsby’s opulent mansion, take in the swirl of the dancers, listen closely to those new songs, and let Daisy’s vulnerability and Gatsby’s longing touch something deeper within you. You might just find a part of yourself on that stage—a dreamer reaching out for a green light across the water, praying it won’t fade. And that, my friends, is precisely the magic that keeps live theatre alive.