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McClain & McCartan Ignite Broadway's Gatsby
4 Sep
Summary
- Ryan McCartan and China Anne McClain star in Broadway's The Great Gatsby.
- McCartan reimagines Jay Gatsby, focusing on mystique over charm.
- McClain brings an 'edge' and 'secretly brilliant' nuance to Daisy.
Ryan McCartan and China Anne McClain are currently commanding the stage in the Broadway production of The Great Gatsby, performing at the Broadway Theatre. McCartan, reprising his role as Jay Gatsby for the third time, has evolved his interpretation to emphasize the character's mystique and wealth over initial charm.
McClain, in her Broadway debut as Daisy Buchanan, brings a nuanced performance, describing her portrayal as having an "edge" and revealing Daisy's "secretly brilliant" nature. She aims to present Daisy as an "open wound," making the character more accessible to the audience, and acknowledges the significance of her role as a Black actress in a period piece.
Both actors relish the live, evolving nature of theater. McCartan highlights the need for constant change, while McClain emphasizes connecting with the audience and telling the story imperfectly, rather than prioritizing vocal perfection.
The production, featuring a score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, premiered at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2023, becoming its highest-grossing show, before transferring to Broadway in 2024, where it has surpassed 900 performances.
