EXCLUSIVE: Ryan McCartan, the former Liv & Maddie actor who transitioned to Broadway in Heathers the Musical and Wicked, will take over the role of Jay Gatsby in the Broadway hit musical The Great Gatsby, succeeding Jeremy Jordan after the start of the new year.
McCartan will play his first performance as the F. Scott Fitzgerald protagonist on January 21, 2025. No official word on Jordan’s plans, but Deadline hears the actor will have some rather mammoth casting news of his own coming later this week.
McCartan joins the Gatsby company as the musical kicks off The Great Gatsby Centennial Celebration, a year-long party in honor of the Fitzgerald classic, with a benefit performance and Gatsby-style soiree on January 16 in partnership with The New York Public Library. The evening will begin with a gala performance of the musical starring Jordan and costar Eva Noblezada at The Broadway Theatre, and culminate with a party at The New York Public Library, with all proceeds benefiting The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
The celebratory evening will also toast the final performance week for Jordan as he passes the torch to McCartan.
McCartan made his New York stage debut originating the role of JD in the cult-hit Heathers The Musical, also performing on the Original Cast Recording. He went on to star on Broadway as Fiyero in Wicked and Hans in Disney’s Frozen. Additional stage credits include Mac in Scotland, PA (Roundabout Theater Company), Tony in West Side Story (Lyric Opera of Chicago), and most recently, Randy Newman’s Faust: The Concert at The Soraya. McCartan’s film credits include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, directed by Kenny Ortega, Emma’s Chance from Sony Pictures and The Standoff on Amazon, with TV credits including The Winchesters, Last Man Standing, The Middle and several seasons of Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie.
The Great Gatsby, produced by Chunsoo Shin, teatures music & lyrics by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, a book by Kait Kerrigan and is staged by director Marc Bruni and choreographer Dominique Kelley.
The Great Gatsby began previews on Friday, March 29, 2024, and opened on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at The Broadway Theatre.