Official Blurb: The party’s roaring on Broadway! Starring Jeremy Jordan (Newsies) as Jay Gatsby and Eva Noblezada (Hadestown) as Daisy Buchanan, THE GREAT GATSBY is a “great, big Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy” (Entertainment Weekly). Directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), this story of extravagance and longing features choreography by Dominique Kelley (So You Think You Can Dance), a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones) and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland (Little Women) and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square). THE GREAT GATSBY is produced by Chunsoo Shin, acclaimed Korean musical producer, 5-time winner of Korea’s most prestigious theatrical award and OD Company president.
My Thoughts: I had a great time at this show and for me that is always the aim. I did not recall any of the music at all after I left, but I will happily sit and have Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada sign anything to me, their voices are just amazing. I really enjoyed the staging and the costumes were rich and pretty. I was a big fan of how they did the pool scenes. I do feel that there was a total disconnect from act 1 to act 2. Although it is of course book driven as well, I feel that I was so engaged during the first act but in the second act they lost me, I got bored and disengaged.
My friends Thoughts: This was very fun to watch. I especially loved the costumes and wished I could attend those parties. The actors did a great job because I did end up hating them a little 🙂
Gatsby – An American Myth at the a.r.t
Official Blurb: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel The Great Gatsby comes to new life in this world-premiere musical with a score by international rock star Florence Welch (Florence + the Machine) and Oscar and Grammy Award nominee Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), and a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok (Cost of Living). Gatsby is directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812; Moby-Dick) with choreography by Tony Award winner Sonya Tayeh (Moulin Rouge!).
My thoughts: If Broadway’s Gatsby’s was the Prime time Gatsby, this was the sexier edgier HBO style version of Gatsby. It’s much rawer. Florence’s music is gorgeous. I Loved Solea Pfiffer and how much attention was given to Myrtle (vs the other Gatsby, where the character is very non impactful) but i think it comes at the detriment of the other cast. Or maybe just Gatsby and Daisy were not as good and Solea steals the show? I do think it required much better leads, but as it is more on an ensemble show it still works beautifully. The choreography by Sonya Tayeh is spectacular and the staging is intimate but so impactful.
My friends thoughts: Gorgeous, magical staging, choreography, and sets. Florence’s music and Solea Pfeiffer’s voice gave me goosebumps. A modern, intelligent, and relevant interpretation of Gatsby. With a few tweaks I think it will do really well.
my conclusion of Gatsby vs Gatsby? Can we have the Broadway two leads and costumes with the A.r.t music, focus on Myrtle (and Solange) and edginess? Like these two shows needed to merge and make a perfect show.
Official Blurb: From computer engineer to Mrs. Florida to billionairess, Jackie Siegel sees herself as the embodiment of the American Dream. Now, as the wife of David “The Timeshare King” Siegel and mother of their eight children, she invites us to behold their most grandiose venture yet: building the largest private home in America — a $100 million house in Orlando, Florida, big enough for her dreams and inspired by the Palace of Versailles. But with the Great Recession of 2008 looming, Jackie and David’s dreams begin to crumble, along with their lavish lifestyle. Based on the wildly astonishing documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield, The Queen of Versailles reunites celebrated Academy Award®–winning songwriter Stephen Schwartz with Tony® and Emmy Award® winner Kristin Chenoweth as Jackie Siegel. Co-starring Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham as David Siegel, with a book by Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone, Amy and the Orphans) and direction by Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Parade, Once on This Island), The Queen of Versailles is a new musical exploring the true cost of fame, fortune, and family.
My thoughts: This is a diva turn for Kristin Chenoweth but really as a show I was quite disappointed. I had high expectations for multiple reasons and they just did not materialize. Steve Schwartz is amazing and I am a massive fan of his work, but here the music did not sing to me. I did not remember a song as I walked out nor did I feel compelled to check them out later. Maybe Caviar Dreams but It was normal at best not great. Kristin is great in the part, but I feel the music doesn’t do her voice justice. She has to sing a lot but is it as good for her as it could have been given that it is a show literally written for her specifically? Also the supporting cast is not up to par. F. Murray Abraham is a great actor but it would have ben great to have a great actor who was also a great singer that could balance the singing. The rest of the cast is good but no one stands out and that is weird as I loved Nina White in Kimberly Akimbo. The stage is great, and I loved the camera work, but its so sad we only get the whole wonderful final stage for a just a few minutes, but again that is the story. As for the length, when we saw it I think it needed t least a good 20 minutes to be cut. It is going over 20 minutes. Also my main issue is that it is not campy enough. This should have gone full Real housewives and it doesn’t know if it wants to be serious or camp and that is not the right move.
My friends Thoughts: . This show left me feeling as empty and disappointed as that giant, echoey house that Jackie tries to build. While Kristin C is amazing and carries the whole show, feels like everyone else in the cast and crew put their feet up and mailed it in. I was bored and unmoved by any of the songs, and felt the show wasted an intriguing story line.
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