*****I think that to my generation, the “Great American Novel” about the “Great American Dream”, was “The Great Gatsby” written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925 ( a little over 100 years ago).. I am pretty sure that it was required reading when I was in school There were also 4 film versions going back to 1926 with a silent movie version, followed by the 1949 version starring Alan Ladd, the 1974 version starring Robert Redford, and the latest one in 2013 featuring Leonardo Di Caprio. With the theme being the “Jazz Age” filled with great music, it made sense to take this dynamic love story to a new level, the musical, and  with a book by Kait Kerrigan Music by Jason Howland and Lyrics by Nathan Tysen, it has come to life.

Tonight’s opening at The Cadillac Palace Theatre, as part of the Broadway In Chicago season brought the story to life for Chicago theater audiences. As I have always said, there is nothing like “live theater”. No matter how wonderful a film might be ( and these were all well done) watching a story evolve, right before your eyes is still the greatest treat of all. This production features an ensemble that is terrific, and as directed by Marc Bruini with some great choreography by Dominique Kelley ( if you love tap, you will see some of the best).

The story is filled with romance, materialism, inequities, social injustices and told from the standpoint  of Nick Carraway (played to perfection by Joshua Grosso), He  goes to New York to make his way in the world. His cousin Jay Gatsby ( a solid performance by Jake David Smith who has a vocal range that is amazing). Jay is the “rich boy” who after many years finds his lost love Daisy ( deftly played by Senzel Ahmady) who is married to Tom Buchanan (Will Branner), Tom is a guy who spends his evenings with prostitutes’ and treats his wife like a trophy that he won rather than a life partner.  FYI Jay and Daisy do have a tryst to end the first act.

The production is fast moving and the 2 plus hours ( there was a 20 minute intermission) never seems that long. The times were hectic, and while the characters in the story seem contrived in ways, I think if we look at our lives today, we might see that there are people very similar today. These characters are driven by their needs and desires. Desire to have what others have, to find love, no matter and longing to be better than they were meant to be.

Let’s talk about the rest of this cast.Leanne Robinson, Lila Coogan, Tally Sessions, Edward Staudenmayer and the ensemble of singers and dancers who truly make this show as amazing as it is: D’Marreon Alexander, William Bishop, Justin Scott Brown, Kyle Caress, Valeria Ceballos, Anna Gassett, Joann Gilliam, Rosie Granito, Josiah Hicks, Nina Michael Howland, Tyler Johnson-Campion, Kurt Kemper, Joi D. McCoy, Charlotte McKinley, Macy McKown, Tim Quarter, Alli Sutton, Dee Tomasetta, Ryan Vogt, and Shai Yammanee.

There are things that I will not mention  as I would hate to spoil the ending, but for thos of you who know the story, the sets are amazing, considering this is not a sit-down production. This is a road show- they move from town to town, tearing down and rebuilding the set. While the use of projections has helped to simplify the “truck and bus” tours, the creativity of those designing the shows are as important as the talent onstage. This one is perfect . Linda Cho’s costumes are powerful and the quick changes that are made, amazing!

I find myself using one word quite often in this review. That word is “Amazing”, and I use it because this production is just that. They also have cars on stage.  If you have a chance, put this on your “to do list”! NOW!

“The Great Gatsby” will continue Thru – May 3rd with performances as follows: