Austin Colby Steps Into Jay Gatsby Role for National Tour
Austin Colby will play Jay Gatsby in the North American tour of The Great Gatsby for a limited engagement. He previously appeared in the original Broadway company as Tom Buchanan and covered the title role. His official opening is set for the Philadelphia press night on Oct. 21, with Senzel Ahmady as Daisy Buchanan and Joshua Grosso as Nick Carraway.
Austin Colby takes over the title role in the North American tour of The Great Gatsby for a limited run. He was in the original Broadway company as Tom Buchanan and covered Gatsby. His opening is scheduled for Philadelphia’s press night on Oct. 21. Other credits include Masquerade, Jersey Boys, and tours of Frozen and The Sound of Music.
He performs with Senzel Ahmady as Daisy Buchanan and Joshua Grosso as Nick Carraway. The tour also features Leanne Robinson, Will Branner, Tally Sessions, Edward Staudenmayer, and Lila Coogan. The musical has songs by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, a book by Kait Kerrigan, and choreography by Dominique Kelley.
This casting change may give regional theatergoers a chance to see a performer associated with the Broadway production step into an iconic role, potentially boosting interest in the tour. Fans of the novel and musical could be drawn by the familiar title and cast continuity, while local venues and arts communities may benefit from increased attendance. The limited engagement could also shape how audiences discuss understudies and replacements as creative opportunities rather than mere substitutions.