THE GREAT GATSBY Broadway Previews — Page 5

dramamama611 said: "starlightlocamotion said: "To each their own …If you’re going to see it, just get off your high horse & let it sweep you away. If you analyze to closely you’re doing yourself a disservice. Again … not high art. That’s not what this is, nor what’s it’s trying to be."

I did see it, at Papermill, and I understand not much has changed. I saw it the first week of previews, so I could hardly have any preconceived notions, and in fact, was crazy excited to see it.

The notion that it's terrific if you just don't think about it, is perhaps the most ridiculous idea I've seen on this board. Shucked wasn't "high art"; Rock of Ages wasn't "high art" but they weren't masquerading around as a literary classic, so yes, this WANTED to be.

It's fine that you loved it, but it's also fine that others don't."

100% this. Look, Bat Boy is one of my favorite musicals of all time. I don't need my art to be high to have a good time (although sometimes it helps when I am).

dramamama611 said: "The notion that it's terrific if you just don't think about it, is perhaps the most ridiculous idea I've seen on this board. Shucked wasn't "high art"; Rock of Ages wasn't "high art" but they weren't masquerading around as a literary classic, so yes, this WANTED to be.."

Ew. No. It's not "masquerading around as a literary classic". It' is BASED on a literary classic. As much as the musical Legally Blonde was BASED on a classic comedy. I supposed you can be as elitist as you want on these boards but that was a nasty almost, classist take. Anyone is free to adapt anything they want to adapt, in any style, to any demographic be they "well-read" or Reese Witherspoon fans. To transform a novel with characters that could be off-putting to some, they elected to make a jazz age musical comedy with dramatic overtones. They made it into a love story with a Rogers and Hammerstein-esque secondary romantic couple. That doesn't erase the novel and it's characters and themes from existence. Yes, they are selling this new romantic musical comedy on the name of a famous book, but why is that so different than a musical based on Back to the Future. They are all there to make money and entertain the best the best they can. Most Broadway musicals-- the best Broadway musicals-- are mostly based on pre-existing materials manipulated to exist in a new form.

MrsSallyAdams said: "Does the show allow for a GBQ reading of Nick? The films all cut Nick's ambiguous hook up with Mr. McKee but some lean into the idea that he's more infatuated with Gatsby than with Jordan Baker."

I remember reading Gatsby in either 7th or 8th grade and naturally assuming that Nick was gay and Jordan was his ... well, I don't think the term that comes to mind is acceptable anymore. Disappointing that no major adaptations have leaned into this yet and given us a patter song about elevator levers.

Gatsby is far from my favorite novel, btw...I respect it more than like it, truth be told. In fact, I put both Color Purple AND Wicked pretty high on my favorite lite.

I think the difference here is that the essence and themes of the original stories still exist... In both cases. That there would be dramatic license, is, of course, expected. I don't remember much, if any challenges... I don't think discission boards were even a thing when Wicked came out - I know I wasn't a part of them back then, anyway. And there has been plenty of discussion about the glossing over of lesbian issues in CP, which came up again for the new film, which took a big step backwards.

I think many of us are simply disappointed in this end result...I'm very much looking forward to the ARTs version.

Discussion boards were actually very popular during that time for Wicked, with one in particular being very active, though I can’t recall the name now. I do understand your point and it’s a fair one; I just happen to disagree that the themes are not there. To me, they are, but glossed over in the same way you describe the other two shows. I’m also very much looking forward to ART’s version. If we can have 8 billion Alice in Wonderlands I can handle two Gatsbys.

If you are going to make so many changes to the story why do The Great Gatsby?

Write an original show........

I didn't hate what I saw onstage, but it certainly isn't the book I read......

Stop messing with other authors work.

It’s not just that the show misunderstands the book. It’s that the story as told really had no reason for being once it’s devoid of that meaning.
Also, the show really didn’t work for me as spectacle. It looks expensive, yes, but the choreography (both in dance and just in movement around the stage) and stage pictures seemed clunky and added nothing to the storytelling.

KJ4 said: "I dont understand some people whinny about the 'show' does not respect the 'book' things.

Saw it last week, and absolutely love it.

Totally and strongly disagree to some of the comments in here. Wait for the professional review then we ll see."

That's great that you loved it. I absolutely loved the original novel. If they are trying to make this a "perfect" adaptation of the book, they missed the mark entirely. Is it a fun show? Yeah, I guess, but if this show did not have the star power of Jeremy and Eva, this show would flop faster than Bad Cinderella or Diana.

KJ4 said: "I dont understand some people whinny about the 'show' does not respect the 'book' things."

Dariana Mullen is making her Jordan Baker debut tonight!

Updated On: 4/19/24 at 09:26 PM

Jeremy Jordan is so good in this but it's hard to fix a musical when the supporting cast/ensemble have ****ty songs to work with. I'm guessing critics will be mixed/negative on this.

What a disjointed, disappointing mess.

Saw a couple of shows that I didn't love recently and hoped this one might save it but it seems we can't get composers/lyricists to write anything more than basic, mediocre scores at best anymore.

Not even going to talk about the book of whatever this show is.