From printed pages to the big screen, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” has enchanted audiences of all kinds for 100 years. Now, the renowned story takes center stage in one of the most influential theaters worldwide: Broadway. The captivating classic follows the story of star-crossed lovers, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, as told by Gatsby’s neighbor, Nick Carraway, who experiences his own blossoming romance with Jordan Baker. The story set in the roaring ‘20s expresses the struggles between love and reputation through thrilling jazz-inspired song and dance that has a contemporary twist.
Synopsis
Nick Caraway, an aspiring bondsman from the southwest, finds himself renting a small home on West Egg, Long Island, where he is thrust into the lavish lifestyle of the upper-class New York socialites. His neighbor-turned-unlikely friend, Jay Gatsby, is the host supreme for extravagant parties; his mansion never knowing a night without cocktails and their charismatic consumers. His alternative motive is to lure in his long-lost love, Daisy Buchanan, who happens to be Nick’s cousin.
Enter the residents of East Egg, if you thought you knew what rich was, think again; the pockets of the Buchanans and their old money neighbors make the Hudson River look shallow. Five years prior, when Gatsby went to war and never returned, Daisy moved on for security’s sake, marrying the abusive brute Tom, whose bulging muscles and wandering eye are the epitome of toxic masculinity. Gatsby recruits Nick to help him win back Daisy, and although apprehensive at first, one night spent with Tom and his mistress, Myrtle Wilson, has Nick planning tea for the two the following morning. Romance blooming, shady business deals brewing, emotions heightening, and tension rising, it all culminates to one fateful night on the longest day of the year, after which no one will be the same.
Storyline
For the storyline and plot of the musical, I would give this show 4 stars. The performance captivated the audience and effortlessly displayed the gaudiness of the period, including the divide between new and old money. The musical took a contemporary twist on the classic story, drawing the focus from the primary romance and equalizing it with that of Nick and Jordan. I believe broadening the emotional connection of the audience to the side characters was a strategic choice. I came to care for the story of Jordan and Nick as much, if not more, than that of Gatsby and Daisy.
The subplot of Meyer Wolfsheim’s illegal schemings, connecting all of the characters, was a nice addition. I felt it added a more well-rounded ending, and despite its tragic conclusion, I felt more than satisfied.
As this is a book-to-stage adaptation, there were expectations for the execution of major scenes. While the musical captured them well, I was disappointed in the reveal of Gatsby. His introduction was rushed and anticlimactic. I felt they forfeited the development of his character for the pace of the storyline.
There was an over sexualization of the story, creating an imbalance of comedy and seriousness. Explicit jokes with raunchy punchlines were delivered right before the characters confessed their undying love for each other. If anything, it had me cringing during times I wish I could have been swept up in the moment.
Actor Performance
All in all, I would stand behind 4.5 stars when it comes to the casting and actor portrayal of their characters. From the first note of the first song to the final all-cast harmonizing during bows, it was undeniable that every person on that stage was beyond talented and earned their role solely off merit. Any critiques I have are based on a personal opinion of how I felt they executed the portrayal of their characters, not implying they lacked talent in any way.
Gatsby himself was played by Ryan McCartan, who is best known for his recurring role as Diggie in Disney Channel’s hit show “Liv and Maddie.” McCartan, transitioning from television to theater, went on to make a name for himself appearing on Broadway’s stage as Fiyero in Wicked and Prince Hans in Frozen. McCartan had rather large shoes to fill as the only other Gatsby to take center stage on Broadway was the absolute legend, Jeremy Jordan. McCartan’s vocals elevated the quality of the music, his range beautifully delivering all aspects of Gatsby’s parts, whether it be yearning love or passionate anger.
On the other hand, I was not a personal fan of his portrayal of Gatsby, as he took a more ditsy, almost feminine approach to the character. He tapped into the comical side of the character, which was okay for a scene or two but backfired as I had lost respect for who Gatsby was supposed to be. It was unrealistic to me that this Gatsby had climbed to the top of the social ladder and could steal someone’s wife when he could barely even talk to her at first. Despite my doubts about how Gatsby was able to win over Daisy, the second the two hit the stage together, sparks were flying. The undeniable chemistry of the two actors eased my concerns.
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Daisy Buchanan was portrayed by Sarah Hyland, who also kickstarted her career on Disney Channel, starring in the movie “Geek Charming” before securing a role in the hit show Modern Family. Hyland made her Broadway debut as “Jackie” in Grey Gardens but took a 19-year hiatus from the theater until returning this year as Daisy.
To put it simply, Hyland was a breath of fresh air. I would argue she was the only fully developed character, and a huge part of Daisy’s ability to be dynamic is due to Hyland’s interpretation. For both Hyland and McCartan, I feared their casting in the show could have been strategic to draw in spectators solely because of their fame; however, both proved they more than deserved to be there. I was fortunate enough to experience their talents firsthand.
The story of “The Great Gatsby” was unfolded by Nick Carraway, played by Noah J. Ricketts. He brought new life to Nick with versatile vocals encapsulating a new found personality of Carraway that I had never seen before. He effortlessly spins the primary story while also enticing the audience with a romance of his own with Jordan Baker.
Jordan Baker, the feminist icon who defies the stereotypical woman of her time, was portrayed by Broadway powerhouse Samantha Pauly. She is best known for her role as the original Katharine Howard in “SIX the musical.” Her stage presence was commendable, and my eye immediately found her during her scenes.
John Zdrojeski brought to life Tom Buchanan, the walking red flag sporting a tailored suit. Zdrojeski commanded the stage, and the physicality of his performance was beyond impressive as he used his height and build to radiate intimidation. If you argued that his looks were the only thing that qualified him for the role, all it took was watching a scene or number, and Zdrojeski’s swagger and rich vocals spoke for him.
Tom’s mistress, Myrtle Wilson, was portrayed by Sara Chase. Her vocal delivery separated her from a good actress and a great one. Chase spun an authentic accent that was not over the top but added originality to the role and had me cackling with laughter, then tears streaming down my face as she delivered her last heart-shattering ballad.
Style Interpretation
The musical stayed true to several of the book’s original themes, including political commentary that emphasized societal dilemmas we face today. There was a focus on the divide between old and new money as represented by the juxtaposition of characters from East and West Eggs. Poverty and the repercussions of the careless rich were layered into the primary storyline with the incorporation of the Valley of Ashes and both Myrtle’s and Gatsby’s deaths.
Their demises also paralleled the failure of the American Dream. In the final song, Nick wraps up the tragic ending, pointing everything back to man’s tendency to hope in an unachievable dream. The lyrics were emotion-provoking, but had me feeling that it was thrown in last minute and not addressed equally throughout the entire show, so I struggled to understand why the conclusion of the show was telling the audience to go out and keep dreaming. I wish that there had been more intentional time creating soulful meaning to the performance rather than flashing lights and eye-catching visuals every couple of minutes. For that, I give the style interpretation 4 stars.
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Sets and Costumes
As a multi-musical consumer, I have watched numerous shows live, however, I must say the visual aspects of “The Great Gatsby” were by far the most impressive. The costuming executed by Linda Cho was phenomenal, each piece the perfect blend of the 1920s glam and grit with contemporary nuance that appealed to the eye. The integration of art deco and flapper fringe brought to life the decade of decadence. As for the sets, they were versatile and realistic, making me feel as if I had truly entered the setting of each scene. The props were top-notch with literal cars driving on stage and gambling tables set to add to the realism of the performance. For the authenticity of its visuals, I give sets and costumes an easy 5 stars.
Music and Choreography
The live musicians did a fantastic job incorporating aspects from the 1920s while keeping pop aspects to maintain the current generation. The choreography was paralleled to the roaring twenties with the use of tap dancing, charleston, and foxtrot, all of which were executed fairly well and had me tapping my foot in my seat, ready to throw on some fringe and dancing shoes to join them.
Overall, ”The Great Gatsby” was captivating. I am so incredibly grateful I got to see the show live with this specific cast. If you are looking to attend the show but have not read the book, do not be intimidated to see this literary masterpiece on the stage. Do yourself a favor and give F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel a read; it truly is as magical as the show.
“The Great Gatsby” is currently showing on Broadway in NYC and offering shows on their North American Tour.
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