Sarah Hyland Finds Her Way Home to the Stage With THE GREAT GATSBY
Modern Family may have catapulted Sarah Hyland into television stardom, but the East-Village-born actor has always considered herself a theatre kid at heart. Nearly two decades after her Broadway debut in GREY GARDENS, she’s back under the lights as Daisy Buchanan in the new musical THE GREAT GATSBY at the Broadway Theatre, where the limited engagement runs through 15 June.
From Primetime to Jazz-Age New York
When Modern Family wrapped in early 2020, Hyland—who spent 11 seasons playing quick-witted Haley Dunphy—found herself yearning for the eight-shows-a-week rhythm she’d known growing up. A 2021 screening of tick, tick…BOOM! rekindled that desire, reminding her how much she missed the energy of live performance. Soon after, she landed the dream role of Audrey in the long-running Off-Broadway revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, a run that re-established her stage credentials and set the stage—literally—for Daisy.
Stepping Into Daisy’s Heels
Hyland joined GATSBY alongside Ryan McCartan, another fresh addition to the cast. Their arrival injected new energy into the production: McCartan’s suave Gatsby meets Hyland’s effervescent Daisy, a socialite whose charm doubles as armour. Hyland glides through the jazz-inflected score while highlighting Daisy’s carefully polished veneer; flashes of vulnerability peek through in songs like “For Better or Worse,” revealing the cracks beneath the glitter.
Re-Training the Instrument
Returning to Broadway as an adult meant unlearning some childhood habits. Hyland speaks candidly about relearning healthy technique to suit a mature voice—an evolution she credits to modern Broadway’s heightened focus on vocal health. The result is a richer, more nuanced sound she never tapped on television.
Grey Gardens, Green Memories
Hyland’s first Broadway bow came at 16 in GREY GARDENS, sharing a Tony season with breakout hit SPRING AWAKENING. She balanced homework with performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre, soaking up a formative year surrounded by rising talents and industry icons. Those memories fuel her enthusiasm today, reminding her why the Tony buzz feels as electric as ever.
Community, Canines and the Call of Home
Settling back into New York life hasn’t been all rehearsals and red carpets; it’s also involved teaching her dog the joys—and occasional chaos—of city living. Offstage, Hyland is fully immersed in the Broadway community, cheering on fellow artists and revelling in the camaraderie she missed while based in Los Angeles.
What’s Next?
With GATSBY closing its current booking next month, speculation is already swirling about Hyland’s next move. Producers have reportedly courted her for a mix of revivals and new works, and her recent stage streak suggests she’s eager to keep the momentum. Whether she stays in period gowns or jumps into something thoroughly modern, one thing seems certain: Hyland has no intention of waiting another 18 years for her next Broadway bow.
For now, fans have just a few weeks left to catch her Daisy in full Jazz-Age flourish. It’s a homecoming worth celebrating—and a reminder that once theatre is in your blood, the stage will always call you back.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
