Career pivots don’t get much bigger than this. China Anne McClain, the actress who captured hearts as the lead in Disney’s‘A.N.T. Farm’and later appeared in‘Descendants’and‘Black Lightning,’is about to make her Broadway debut on August 3, 2026, in the hit musical adaptation of‘The Great Gatsby.’At just 27 years old, she’s stepping into one of literature’s most iconic roles: Daisy Buchanan, the glamorous and complex character at the heart of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece.
What makes this moment even more special is the caliber of talent surrounding her. Corbin Bleu, known for his breakout role in‘High School Musical,’plays Nick Carraway, the story’s narrator. Ryan McCartan, a star of the Broadway hit‘Wicked,’takes on the role of Jay Gatsby. And in a stunning comeback of her own, Naturi Naughton from‘Power’and the legendary group 3LW recently joined the cast as Jordan Baker in her first Broadway role in two decades. It’s a lineup that speaks to the cultural moment we’re in: television stars are increasingly making the transition to Broadway, and they’re bringing serious talent with them.
Since opening on Broadway in 2024,‘The Great Gatsby’musical has become a commercial powerhouse, selling over 1 million tickets across more than 900 performances. McClain is stepping into a show that audiences absolutely love, and she’s ready to make the role her own. Whether you’ve been a fan since her Disney days or you’re discovering her for the first time, this is a moment worth paying attention to. What draws you most to this story—the characters, the music, or the star power of the cast?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.