Austin Colby talks about ‘The Great Gatsby’ on Broadway, and his latest Hallmark film

Austin Colby. Photo Credit: Roberto Araujo.

Austin Colby chatted about “The Great Gatsby” musical on Broadway, and being a part of the Hallmark film “Sisterhood, Inc.”

The late American track and field runner Jesse Owens once said: “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” This quote applies to Austin Colby.

New Hallmark movie ‘Sisterhood, Inc.’

The synopsis of the rom-com is: Corporate exec Megan (Rachael Leigh Cook) starts a board of directors to improve her younger sister’s chaotic life and finds romance with Dominic (Leonidas Gulaptis), a psych professor who uncovers her tough demeanor.

“The ‘Sisterhood, Inc.‘ movie went great. It was such an awesome and warm experience,” he admitted. “It was a wonderful set to be a part of, especially getting to work with such established actors as Rachael Leigh Cook and Daniella Monet.”

“I felt so welcomed and encouraged by their work. In one of my lines, Rachael Leigh Cook leaned over, and she told me that she loved it. That is great because she was also one of the producers. Overall, this Hallmark movie was so great,” he exclaimed.

Working with director Lesley Demetriades

Colby had favorable remarks about working with director Lesley Demetriades.

“Working with Lesley Demetriades was so great,” he said. “One of my friends is close friends with her so I’ve heard great things about her, and then I got to witness all that firsthand. Everyone was so open and kind on that set.”

‘The Great Gatsby’ on Broadway

On being a part of “The Great Gatsby” over the past year, he remarked, “It’s great. I was a part of the original production in New Jersey.”

“So, to be with it for that production, and then to build off of that experience for Broadway and to carry it through for a year since we opened has been so fulfilling. We are such a family there,” he elaborated.

Taking over the role of Tom Buchanan

“I am going to take over the role of Tom Buchanan at the end of this month,” he revealed.

“To be able to do that is a huge honor. I don’t take that lightly, especially for the creative team to trust me for that,” he said.

Colby on Ryan McCartan

He praised Ryan McCartan, who now stars as Jay Gatsby, for being “phenomenal.” “Ryan and I have been passing ships during the ‘Frozen’ Tour.”

“Now, for me, to understudy him and support him whenever he needs it is really neat. In a few weeks, I will be his scene partner, and that will be a huge honor as well,” he noted.

Lessons learned from being on ‘The Great Gatsby’

On the lessons learned from “The Great Gatsby,” she said, “I am covering Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. I haven’t covered since 2012, and that is a skill that I still possess. It does not come easily.”

Colby continued, “What it takes to be a part of this show and have to step into a role that you are not doing every day and give a performance that is quality of a Broadway stage is daunting.

“I learned that I could do it for sure. I also learned that it gives me anxiety,” he said with a sweet laugh.

“I have a massive amount of respect for understudies and swings,” he noted. “What they do to keep a show going is heroic, and I don’t take that for granted at all.”

Advice for young and emerging actors

For young and emerging actors, he said, “First and foremost, be a good person because everyone in this industry knows one another. Tom Hanks once said: show up on time, know the text,’ and come with ideas, and that’s all you need to do.’ That is such valuable advice and I’ve been holding onto that recently. Also, be ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

“Also, knowing you are and what you have to offer to the art form is really important, so always sharpen those tools. Know what you have to offer, and make sure all of those skills are ready because an audition or job opportunity can present itself at any moment,” he elaborated.

Career-defining moments

When asked about his career-defining moments, he responded, “I am still searching for my definition. I grow with each opportunity, and each interaction with every person I work with.”

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “Gratitude.”

“I feel like things are going my way, lately, and I am just so grateful for that,” he expressed.

Colby on Caroline Bowman

He complimented his talented wife, Caroline Bowman, a Broadway actress and rising star in her own right.

“I have a wonderful wife, Caroline Bowman, and she is a queen. She is the best partner in everything, and she is in a chapter where she is doing so many things, and we are growing parallel to one another.

“I think Caroline is just getting started,” he admitted. “I am really excited for her in ‘Smash’ on Broadway; they start performances on Tuesday. I think people will enjoy that show because it is Broadway at its finest.”

In many ways, Austin and Caroline are the Broadway equivalent of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Watching Caroline as Norma in ‘Sunset Blvd.’

Most recently, Caroline Bowman stepped into the role of Norma Desmond in “Sunset Blvd.” and her performance received overwhelmingly stellar reviews from fans and audience members, including Colby who was in attendance.

“Watching her in ‘Sunset Blvd.’ was the second-best day of my life,” he expressed. “The best day was our wedding; it was just wonderful. She gave 150 percent in that role. She went in with no regrets, and she killed it.”

Superpower of choice

If Colby were to have any superpower, it would be “to fly.” “That would be so great,” he admitted. “I’ve had plenty of dreams where I am flying, so that would be really cool.”

Success

“Success means happiness and fulfillment and knowing that I am enough in my own skin, and having confidence and joy in that. I think that’s success.”

Closing thoughts on ‘The Great Gatsby’

For fans and viewers, he stated about “The Great Gatsby,” “The show talks about the American dream and how these characters see the American dream.”

“Knowing that the American dream is not a one size fits all, and it can be specifically tailored and curated is what makes it the American dream. It can be really fulfilling or really poisonous,” he elaborated.

“Navigating that, there is a lot to be learned about that through our story, and a lot of it is up for interpretation. That’s one of the biggest themes for our show. I love shows that make you think, and I think ours does,” he concluded.

To learn more about Austin Colby, follow him on Instagram and TikTok.