The Great Gatsby - Orpheum Theatre

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Headline: The Great Gatsby is visually brilliant, musically fantastic, with gorgeous performances! The storyline, on the other hand, is complex and a bit messy. Well, not messy but gray. Nothing is really black and white about the story as it is possible to see multiple sides. Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald book, which was not a success during his lifetime, the musical written by Kait Kerrigan, music by Jason Howland, and lyrics by Nathan Tysen follows the book very well. It is a book that was given to soldiers going off to World War II, and that is how it became popular. Most of us recall reading it in High School, or possibly College. Personally I have a vague recollection of reading it in High School, or at least a visual recollection of the cover art - the classic eyes looking out from under the title, red lips, possibly a tear streaming down one side, all set over a bright cityscape of lights.

At only 224 pages, this seems more of a novella, but what is inside is such a fascinating character study. We start with Nick (Joshua Grosso) who is telling the story. He moved from Minnesota (pause for big audience reaction anytime MN or St. Paul gets mentioned) after returning from the Great War - World War I. He moves to New York City to try to get away from his past, and dreams of the war. He gets a job selling bonds, and finds a bungalow that happens to be next to the palatial mansion owned by Jay Gatsby (Jake David Smith). He sees Gatsby in the evening, looking out at the Long Island Sound, across the water to East Egg where the stately homes of the old money families live, and where a green light emanates from the end of a dock. We come to find out that th edock belongs to the house of Tom (Will Branner) and Daisy Buchanan (Senzel Ahmady)...and Daisy just happens to be a cousin of Nick's. We also find out that Gatsby and Daisy met and fell in loved five years ago, before the war, and lost touch - possibly due to the actions of Daisy's father. However Gatsby has never forgotten her. In fact, he came back from the war and started working (possibly in illegal ways) in order to amass a great fortune all in order to find her. He seems to consistently have large parties at his house, in hopes that she will walk in. Now, did he loan Nick the bungalow because he somehow knew of the connection between them? Was this all planned from the start?

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Remember this is the 1920's, and things are changing. Women finally have the right to vote, and are finding their own way in life - with or without a husband. It is a new decade and the old morals are slipping away. Is this a good thing? You can make that decision for yourself. Regarding the story, these new freedoms allow Tom to have affairs, affairs that everyone knows about - including Daisy. Currently he is having an affair with Myrtle (Lila Coogan), and he also knows Myrtle's husband as George (Tally Sessions) owns the gas station that he frequents. Nothing like complicating issues. Gatsby invites Nick to one of his parties with a very rare written invitation, and this is where possible trouble starts. Gatsby wants Nick to reintroduce him to Daisy. At first Nick is hesitant. After Tom takes him and drags him along to a tryst with Myrtle (in hopes that Nick will loosen up some with Myrtle's sister, and/or others), Nick sees what a brute Tom is, and that Daisy deserves better. Choices are made, actions take place, emotions are toyed with, while at the same time some true and honest emotions finally arise from the depths. We, the audience, can see and understand why some choices are being made, but considering the dreadful outcome - are they the right choices?

The performances throughout the show were strong. Gatsby has got to be a difficult role, especially following in the footsteps of Jeremy Jordan - and I say that only in regards to the vocals. Jordan has a strong voice with a big range, and Jake David Smith did not disappoint. He sounds fantastic, always looked calm, collected, cool, while also bringing in some of the funny aspects of the character. And his last few moments on stage are just gorgeous. Nick Carraway (Joshua Grosso) has a strong voice, is funny, sweet, charming, and a bit naive...especially having been overseas in the war. I'm never sure about a character who mainly watches, observes, but also plays an essential part in the story. It is a difficult thing to navigate between being in the story, and breaking the fourth wall. Grosso balances it all perfectly. Senzel Ahmady, as Daisy, has a strong, beautiful voice. There were times that I had trouble understanding her and that might have been partly due to the Long Island accent, or a possible acting choice. It seems like she takes a lot of small breaths, often, and they all come across as small gasps which make it seem like she is sobbing often...even at times when she isn't being emotional. At the same time, she comes out with these gorgeous, beautiful vocal phrases so I'm not sure. Jordan Baker (Leanne Robinson), Myrtle Wilson (Lila Coogan), and Tom Buchanan (Will Branner) all have strong voices and characters and are a joy to watch. George Wilson (Tally Sessions) has a gorgeous voice. He is played as a bit of a lout but we also see how smart he is, and how much in love he is with Myrtle. Sessions has a beautiful and strong performance. Meyer Wolfsheim (Edward Staudenmayer) has a stunning, gravely voice. He has a big number at the top of Act 2 that gives great insight into his character, as well as Gatsby's. There is some fun coat choreo in this number that reminded me of all the cape choreo in Cursed Child. Finally, all of these actors are supported by the fantastic ensemble. Every character is strongly delineated, vocally varied, and a joy to listen to and watch. 

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

As stated, this production is visually brilliant. Movable panels along with projections make gorgeous and versatile sets to reflect the various locations the story takes us to. The costumes match the brilliance of the set, as does the lighting. there were some very slight sound issues, and spotlight issues that I noticed, but nothing to take away from the show. The direction and choreography work well together - so well that it keeps the story moving forward and keeps it constantly engaging. Musically it is a really great score that feels current, but also has a feel of the period - not an easy thing to achieve. There is one song that could be turned into a short monologue and I don't think it would be missed, but at the same time it does provide a nice moment for the character and performer.

The show ends with a feeling that this type of story and experience is ongoing, that there is always a Nick going to a new town and experiencing what Nick experienced - meeting new people, discovering things about himself, falling in love, seeing life. Also that there is always an ongoing difference between old money, new money, and those that don't have either. It does make a point directly out of the book that sometimes money (and those with money) could be using that for good instead of their own enjoyment. Most of all, it ends with a sense that there is always someone out there, reaching for the green light, living for hope. This production though is only playing at the Orpheum until June 7, so get your tickets now. I had a thoroughly good evening, with some great discussion on the way home about the complexities of the characters and story, but also about the brilliance of the show.