The theater that brought you Waitress and Jagged Little Pill, roars back with Gatsby: An American Myth.
The American Repertory Theater’s reimagined musical version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, directed by Rachel Chavkin, tells the story of Nick Carraway (Ben Levi Ross), as he returns to West Egg, New York after serving in World War I and attending Yale. After receiving a highly sought after invite from infamous party host Jay Gatsby (Isaac Powell), Carraway, the show’s narrator, is plunged into New York high society. However, when Gatsby’s love for Carraway’s cousin Daisy Buchanan (Charlotte MacInnes) is rekindled, Carraway becomes entangled in a relationship web involving Daisy, her husband (Cory Jeacoma), her husband’s mistress Myrtle (Solea Pfeiffer), Myrtle’s husband (Matthew Amira), and Gatsby. The musical explores social inequality, as well as sexuality, and gender fluidity. Unlike the book, the musical leans into the latter, accentuating the novel’s undertones through gender fluid costumes and Carraway’s relationships.
Designer Mimi Lien’s striking silver avant-garde set of crushed metal car frames is juxtaposed against the palatial mansions and art-deco elements of the twenties; inoculating an air of foreboding from act one. As rooms seamlessly rise from the floor and grand staircases swivel from the wings, a cast of energetic characters dressed in shades of gray and black flood the stage, making way for the main characters who punctuate the stage in slightly brighter colors.
Choreographer Sonya Tayeh, who recently won a TONY® for her innovative choreography for Moulin Rouge! The Musical is behind the breathtaking movement of Gatsby. Through fosse-esque style dance, the performers create shapes that frame both the actors and the sets and give motion to Sandy Powell’s gender fluid costume designs, which are reminiscent of The Addams Family and Beetlejuice.
While the set, story and choreography are notable, it’s the soundtrack and show’s brilliant vocals that are the centerpiece of this production, offsetting the stilted conversations from early scenes. The old tragic tale is thrust into the modern age by the Grammy® award winning sound of Florence Welch of Florence + The Machines. Gatsby musically hits its stride early with “Golden Girl” performed by Daisy (Charlotte MacInnes). MacInnes’ vocals and inflection are seemly tailor made for Welch’s music and indie-rock sound. Welch, and Music Director Wiley Deweese have also infused the big band sound of the twenties into songs like “New York Symphony,” Despite being an unassuming pairing, Welch’s poetic lyrical storytelling lends itself to the scholarly novel.
Welch has previously worked with Tayeh, who choreographed Welch’s performance of “No Light No Light” at the Brit Awards.
Audiences can experience the riveting, modern age retelling of an American classic at the Loeb Theater now through August 3, 2024. Limited tickets are available at https://americanrepertorytheater.org/shows-events/gatsby/
Theater goers should note that cell phones are locked in personal cases at the start of each show and unlocked at the conclusion.
Featured Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes
