A Review of Going to see The Great Gatsby
New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse opened their 85th Season last weekend with a dazzling new musical, The Great Gatsby. The production is big and filled with lavish sets, beautifully composed music, and a cast that is fabulous.
The musical fills the spacious Paper Mill theater with a feeling that allows you to feel like you are a part of the world of the Roaring 20’s. This world is represented in the classic novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The show is based upon Fitzgerald’s novel but the book for this new production is by Kait Kerrigan. Marc Bruni directs this superb musical which runs 2.5 hours with one intermission.
Many people have read Fitzgerald’s novel and bring with them an understanding of the basics of the story. However, this musical version of The Great Gatsby brings in some very new ways of looking at the story and its characters. You will see some connections to our current post CoVid life in it.
Story Opens with a Tie-In to Present Day
The Great Gatsby’s time frame is the start of the Roaring 20’s – 1922. And yet one only has to look at some things taking place to get a sense that there is a connection to modern times.
That connection begins immediately as Jay Gatsby comes onstage and tells the audience:
Well I don’t know ’bout you, but I’m done with the Spanish Flu. It’s 1922, C’mon out of your Cloister.”
Song from The Great Gatsby
Wasn’t it just 2022 when we were tired of being “cloistered” from CoVid? A good tie-in to the present indeed and one that brings the audience into the feeling of the show right from the start.
There is an exchange between Gatsby and a character named Wolfsheim on how Gatsby is building his reputation and getting known. This reputation building is of utmost importance to Gatsby and one that is challenged at various points during the show. The true nature of Gatsby’s business does not come out until the end. But his need to keep appearances up guides him throughout the show.
This leads into a party scene where a significant line in the song presented by the ensemble – THE PARTY’S ROARING ON. The party scenes provide enjoyable dancing and singing from the ensemble of the show. Choreography is by Dominique Kelley.
Nick Caraway enters as Wolfsheim presents a very enticing price for renting the cottage which is across the lawn from Gatsby’s large home. Nick accepts as Wolfsheim hands him an invitation to the evening’s party. But Nick already has plans to dine with his cousin, Daisy. Wolfsheim reminds Nick “No one refuses Jay Gatsby.”
East Egg vs. West Egg – The Class System
Nick goes over to East Egg to the estate where Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan live. Daisy introduces Nick to her gal friend, Jordan Baker, who is a golfer and a modern woman of the day.
The class system is introduced by Tom who explains to Nick that there is the East Egg and the West Egg. The West Egg is gangsters and bankers. New money looked down upon by the East Eggers who are old money.
This designation of the class system among the wealthy continues to be an important theme throughout the actions of the musical.
Eventually, Nick meets Gatsby and they discuss their time serving in World War I. Gatsby says he always knew what he was fighting for. And this is when he tells Nick about his love for Daisy Buchanan. He asks Nick to invite her to tea at his little cottage to which Nick hesitantly agrees.
Marriages and Affairs
George and Myrtle Wilson are introduced into the show in a scene at the local gas station George runs. Wolfsheim is doing some sort of business with Wilson involving crates being stored there. Myrtle prepares to go into Manhattan to “visit her sister.” That is her cover because she is Tom Buchanan’s mistress. But when Tom and Nick drive up she rides into the City with them. They head to Tom’s secret apartment in Harlem.
It is more than common knowledge that Tom has a mistress and Daisy is aware of it. So, although she is hesitant, Daisy does go to tea at Nick’s cottage and brings Jordan with her. The scene of the preparations for the tea demonstrate over done extravagance but in a humorous fashion.
She and Gatsby finally meet after many years. They were in love before Gatsby left for the war and he never forgot her. She married Tom but after seeing Jay Gatsby, she feels a spark of something.
When Gatsby tells her “You always said you wanted a castle. I saw this one in Normandy and I had it replicated here brick by brick” So they go to explore Gatsby’s mansion leading to the beginning of their affair.
Gatsby the Dreamer vs. Reality
As their affair grows, Gatsby pays less time to his business life and more to Daisy. Wolfsheim reminds him of his obligations. Eventually Tom and Gatsby meet at a lavish party on Gatsby’s property eventually leading to Daisy realizing that she is in a bind and how committed she is to Tom.
But Gatsby continues to live in his own world where he thinks Daisy will give up her marriage. The scenes showing how committed he is to this dream are impressive but quite unrealistic. But then, it all comes to an end as Myrtle dies in a car crash leading to the ending.
Lavish, Eye Catching Sets
The sets for this show really set the mood for what is taking place. Upon arriving at your seat, you will see a backdrop set up that shows the body of water which separates East Egg from West Egg. Look closely and notice how the set shimmers making it look like small movement of the water.
Party scenes have a special glow which makes it look like outrageous behavior could easily take place. The scenes with Gatsby’s mansion display the very high ceilings which make it appear as large as we picture it to be when reading about it.
Photo credit – Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made
A memorable scene occurs when Gatsby walks Daisy through his house for the first time and they end up in his bedroom. The entire back wall holds shirts of all colors which they toss around the room in a moment of fun.
Sets are easily mobilized as needed. The appearance of the infamous yellow Rolls Royce brings in an actual vehicle which is carefully steered onstage.
The Music Brings out Great Emotion
The music for this show consists of a jazz-and pop-influenced original score by Tony Award nominees Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen. Music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations are by Mr. Howland. Daniel Edmonds is Music Director.
One of the most impressive songs of the show is “Beautiful Little Fool” sung by Daisy. It gets to the heart of the feeling of a woman who feels trapped inside boundaries established for her by society. Another outstanding song is “For Her.” In it, Gatsby captures the longing inside of a himself as he explains why he has done all that he did.
The Cast of The Great Gatsby
The cast of this show is marvelous. It stars Jeremy Jordan as Jay Gatsby and Eva Noblezada as Daisy Buchanan. The pair are well matched as they both sing superbly in their solos and together as a couple.
Sara Chase plays Myrtle Wilson with flair. Stanley W. Mathis is a strong presence as Meyer Wolfsheim. Samantha Pauly as Jordan Baker does a high quality representation of the new woman of the 1920’s., Noah J. Ricketts plays Nick Carraway who does an outstanding job showing the struggles to understand Gatsby and all the class system around him. Paul Whitty turns in a fine performance as George Wilson and John Zdrojeski plays the very difficult role of Tom Buchanan very well.
The cast also features Lauryn Adams, Raymond Edward Baynard, Ayla Ciccone-Burton, Austin Colby. Also in the cast are Colin Cunliffe, Natalie Charle Ellis, Curtis Holland, Brianna Kim, Dariana Mullen, Pascal Pastrana. And finally, Mariah Reives, Julio Rey, Dan Rosales, Maya Sistruck, Jake Trammel, Jake Urban, Tanairi Vazquez and Katie Webber.
When You Go to the Show
The Paper Mill provides some very good ways to get to know about the show even before you get there. Tune into The Great Gatsby Prologues on Youtube to gain understanding of the time period in which the show takes place.
Right before you go in the doors to your seat, take a few minutes to look at the information boards that hang in that upper lobby area like this one:
There are several information boards hanging including one about F. Scott Fitzgerald that are very well done and filled with good information.
Be sure to visit the Gift Shop for some lovely items directly related to the time period of the show. Here are a few pictures but there is more than shown here including handmade jewelry that was really lovely.
Tickets for The Great Gatsby
As this article is being published, word is out that all performances through November 12, 2023 are sold out. However, a few days ago, the Paper Mill posted on social media that a few seats are available in the obstructed view areas. Go directly to their website, to see what you might be able to get.