The Great Gatsby (musical)

''The Great Gatsby'' is a 2023 stage musical with music and lyrics by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, and a book by Kait Kerrigan. It is based on the 1925 novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The show started its Broadway previews on March 29, 2024, at the Broadway Theatre and officially opened on April 25, 2024.

Synopsis

Act I

Nick Carraway, a Midwestern young man who served in World War I, arrives in New York to work as a bondsman and is immediately awestruck at the wealth and excess on display, particularly by his mysterious neighbor Jay Gatsby ("Roaring On"). Nick meets his cousin Daisy and her husband, his old-money school acquaintance Tom Buchanan; he is also introduced to Daisy's friend, golfer Jordan Baker. Daisy is excited to see Nick flourish in New York and alludes that her marriage is unhappy ("Absolute Rose"). Daisy and Jordan learn that Nick has received an invitation to one of Gatsby's famous over-the-top parties; Daisy becomes pensive at the mention of his name. Jordan goes with him to the lavish party ("New Money"). Gatsby meets with Nick privately and confesses that he had built his fortune to win back his former sweetheart, Daisy, and asks for Nick's help in reacquainting them ("For Her"), though Nick is hesitant.

In a run-down garage, George Wilson questions his station in life to a billboard advertising optometrist TJ Eckleberg ("Valley of Ashes"). George also receives regular shipments from Gatsby's business associate Meyer Wolfsheim. Tom visits the garage and it becomes apparent George's wife Myrtle is his mistress; Myrtle sings about their poverty and how exciting it is to be the mistress of a rich man ("Second-Hand Suit"). Meanwhile, Daisy and Jordan discuss Tom's indiscretions and the state of their marriage; Jordan is staunchly against getting married ("For Better Or Worse").

Tom takes Myrtle and Nick to the Manhattan apartment of Myrtle's sister Catherine and they carry on their affair. Nick becomes uncomfortable with the iniquity on display; he agrees to reintroduce Daisy and Gatsby as an act of revenge after witnessing Tom break Myrtle's nose during a fight ("The Met"). Gatsby and Nick plan for Nick to invite Daisy to tea, during which Gatsby will drop by unannounced; however, Gatsby panics and provides Nick's cottage with lavish decorations and expensive food ("Only Tea"). Gatsby and Daisy converse privately inside the cottage while Nick and Jordan, standing outside in the rain, share a kiss. Daisy goes with Gatsby back to his mansion and the two begin an affair ("My Green Light").

Act II

The characters carry on with their affairs as Wolfsheim sings about illicit acts and secrecy ("Shady"). Nick and Jordan's relationship deepens ("Better Hold Tight"). Gatsby, convinced that Daisy will leave Tom for him, begins to plan a party recreating their relationship during the war, despite Nick's reservations and his neglect of his business arrangement with Wolfsheim ("Past Is Catching Up To Me"). At the party, Gatsby brings on performer Gilda Gray and dances with Daisy as Tom watches enviously and converses with Wolfsheim ("La Dee Dah With You"). Jordan proposes to Nick; Daisy tells Gatsby that she wants to run away with him ("Go"). A frustrated Tom demands that they leave, though is persuaded to visit a suite at the Plaza Hotel with Nick, Jordan, Daisy, and Gatsby instead. Tom, driving Nick and Jordan, stops at the Wilsons' garage; Jordan loudly says they are going to the Plaza so Myrtle (who is, unbeknownst to them, pregnant) will hear.

At the suite, Daisy and Gatsby's affair comes to light, to Tom's fury. Gatsby demands that Daisy swear she never loved Tom, but Daisy cannot; she becomes more reluctant to leave Tom after Tom reveals that Gatsby's fortune is from bootlegging alcohol ("Made to Last"). The characters leave the hotel. Myrtle begins walking to the Plaza while fantasizing about the outcomes of being pregnant with Tom's child, but she is hit and killed by Gatsby's signature yellow Rolls-Royce ("One-Way Road").

A shocked Tom sees Myrtle's body being carried away by the police. Jordan and Nick quickly figure out that it was Gatsby's car that killed Myrtle, but Jordan wants to stay quiet. Nick is disappointed and calls off their wedding. Tom tells George that Gatsby owned the car; George despairs to the billboard ("God Sees Everything").

Nick goes to Gatsby's mansion and finds him alone; Daisy having retreated back into her own home. Gatsby tells Nick that Daisy had been driving the car. He thinks Daisy will return to him and says he intends to take the fall, though Nick disagrees. Nick heads off to work, promising to call Gatsby, who begins to take a swim. George arrives and shoots Gatsby and then himself ("For Her (Reprise"). Nick is the only attendee at Gatsby's funeral as people gossip about the reason for his death ("New Money (Reprise)"). Nick confronts Daisy, who is now leaving with Tom for Honolulu, about her abandonment of Gatsby. Daisy tells Nick that she hopes her young daughter has no further ambitions beyond becoming a beautiful and docile rich wife, unlike Daisy herself ("Beautiful Little Fool"). Before his return to the Midwest, Nick visits Gatsby's abandoned mansion and thinks he sees the man briefly ("Finale: Roaring On").

Production history

New Jersey (2023)

The show received its world premiere in Millburn, New Jersey, at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Previews began on October 12, 2023, with an official opening night on October 22. It played for a limited engagement through November 12. It starred Jeremy Jordan, Eva Noblezada, Noah J. Ricketts, and Stanley Wayne Mathis as Jay, Daisy, Nick, and Wolfsheim respectively. It was directed by Marc Bruni and choreographed by Dominique Kelly.

Broadway (2024)

The Paper Mill production transferred to the Broadway Theatre, with previews from March 29, 2024, and officially opened on April 25, 2024. Jordan, Noblezada, Ricketts and Pauly reprised their roles. Eric Anderson joined the cast as Wolfsheim. The production is directed by Bruni with set design by Paul Tate dePoo III. The production is selling tickets through February 23, 2025.

Cast and characters

Musical numbers

Paper Mill Playhouse

;Act I
*"Roaring On" - Gatsby, Wolfsheim, Nick, and Company
*"Sophisticated" - Daisy, Nick, Tom, and Jordan
*"My Share of the Heavens" - Nick
*"New Money" - Nick, Jordan, and Company
*"Louisville" - Company
*"The Great Gatsby" - Ol’ Owl Eyes
*"For Her" - Gatsby
*"Valley of Ashes" - Wilson
*"Secondhand Suit" - Myrtle, Tom, and Company
*"For Better or Worse" - Daisy
*"The Met" - Nick
*"Only Tea" - Gatsby, Nick, and Company
*"My Green Light" - Gatsby, Daisy

;Act II
*"Shady" - Wolfsheim and Company
*"Better Hold Tight" - Nick and Jordan
*"Past Is Catching Up to Me" - Gatsby
*"Bootstraps" - Gilda and Ensemble
*"Go" - Gatsby and Daisy
*"Valley of Ashes (Reprise)" - Wilson
*"Made to Last" - Tom, Gatsby, Daisy, Jordan, and Nick
*"One-Way Road" - Myrtle
*"God Sees Everything" - Wilson
*"For Her (Reprise)" - Gatsby and Wilson
*"Beautiful Little Fool" - Daisy
*"Finale: Roaring On" - Nick and Ensemble

Broadway

;Act I
*"Roaring On" - Nick and Company
*"Absolute Rose" - Daisy, Jordan, Tom, and Nick
*"New Money" - Jordan, Nick, Wolfsheim and Company
*"For Her" - Gatsby
*"Valley of Ashes" - Wilson
*"Second-Hand Suit" - Myrtle, Tom, and Company
*"For Better or Worse" - Daisy
*"The Met" - Nick
*"Only Tea" - Gatsby, Nick and Company
*"My Green Light" - Gatsby and Daisy

;Act II
*"Shady" - Wolfsheim and Company
*"Better Hold Tight" - Nick and Jordan
*"Past Is Catching Up to Me" - Gatsby
*"La Dee Dah With You" - Gilda Gray and Company
*"Go" - Daisy and Gatsby
*"Made to Last" - Tom, Gatsby, Daisy, Jordan, and Nick
*"For Better or Worse (Reprise)" - Jordan
*"One-Way Road" - Myrtle
*"God Sees Everything" - Wilson
*"For Her (Reprise)" - Gatsby, Nick, and Wilson
*"New Money (Reprise)" - Company
*"Beautiful Little Fool" - Daisy
*"Finale: Roaring On" - Nick and Company

Reception

''The Guardian'' described the original Broadway performance as an 'underwhelming transfer to stage in a bombastic yet misfiring new production' criticizing the plays comedic direction stating it 'thins by the musical's second act' and the focus on the 'love story' instead of the 'rigorous analysis of class or the American dream' prevalent in the source material.

''The New York Times'' stated that 'This musical adaptation, now on Broadway, is a lot of Jazz Age fun. But it forgot that Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel endures because it is a tragedy.' Criticizing the 'underwhelming' nature and inability to take characters such as Myrtle 'seriously', but praised the sets and technical affects.

''Entertainment Weekly'' summarised the Broadway adaption as 'A glitzy take on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel that values spectacle over substance', stating the 'tone swings wildly back and forth'. However they also praised the cast's multidimensional performances and Cho's period costumes.

''The Washington Post'' criticized the shows lack of 'subtlety' and shedding of important themes to become 'a rom-com that nose-dives into overwrought melodrama', describing the play's second act as a 'a rapid succession of false ends' where the play is 'blinded' by capitalism. However, they praised Ricketts performance as Nick Carraway and the set and costumes.

'' Variety Magazine'' praised the set, costumes, and visuals, but stated the show traded 'the novel’s soul for flashy visuals' and criticized plot changes such as making Nick and Jordan explicitly heterosexual, rushing plot points, removing Daisy's 'morally bankrupt and selfish' aspects, and that 'most egregiously the musical completely omits Gatsby's backstory'.

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Great Gatsby, The
2023 musicals
Musicals based on novels
Musicals set in the 1920s
Musicals set in New York
Musicals set in the United States
Works based on The Great Gatsby
Broadway musicals