THE GREAT GATSBY @ Paper Mill Playhouse Thread — Page 2

According to https://m.sportsw.kr/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065570828962887, this is a representation of the scenic design by Paul Tate dePoo III:



This article also talks up the show as being Broadway-bound (if Google Translate can be relied upon). As I understand it, the Korean company OD Company is producing the show, hence the interest from Korean media.

Updated On: 10/2/23 at 04:46 AM

My brain went directly to the Baz Lurhman film too.

Kad said: "The spectaclefication of Gatsby has always sort of mystified me and seems to entirely go against every theme of the novel. Even when Fitzgerald depicts those lavish parties, the focus is entirely on how hollow and lonely they actually are, particularly for Gatsby himself."

Very true. But I think the common perception of the general, mainstream audience is that Gatsby does in fact mean spectacle and expect that spectacle if they were to go see a Gatsby musical. If a general audience goes into a Gatsby musical and doesn't get the visual feast that most American audiences associate with Gatsby, they are going to be severely disappointed and not-too-forgiving.

Not saying they did it well at all but it was an interesting idea when the recent Charlie and the Chocolate Factory production opened on Broadway with the idea that the factory is in your mind and we the audience are allowed to imagine how magical the place looked. It didn't work at all and most audiences, from what I understand, were greatly upset with how un-whimsical it was -- especially when compared to the London production. Audiences wanted the big spectacle with the lavish sets. It was an interesting idea, though terribly executed -- making more obvious the significant other problems the show had. At least in London there was visual eye-candy.

Jeremy Jordan speaks up about ''The Great Gatsby''

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy1yxTi0c_w

The month run is almost sold out with only a handful of tickets remaining ...and 10 days until previews.

Updated On: 10/2/23 at 03:01 PM

Wonder why they'd choose Papermill to do an out-of-town tryout. Seems so close to the city. But excited to hear reports!

RippedMan said: "Wonder why they'd choose Papermill to do an out-of-town tryout. Seems so close to the city. But excited to hear reports!"

Easier to build word of mouth.  How many New Yorkers read West Coast news?  Probably insignificant.

Wayman_Wong said: "I might be flying back East later this month, and wanted to catch ''The Great Gatsby'' at Paper Mill Playhouse, but their website shows that the monthlong run already is practically sold out. I called the box office, and they say they don't sell cancellations on the day of the show or release last-minute house seats. Any suggestions?

2 premium third-row center seats popped up for the previously sold-out first preview, so I'd keep checking. Also, members can exchange dates, so you might get lucky with that. You could also ask about wheelchair seats, which they should eventually sell as standard, and I find it hard to believe that all the wheelchair seats sold so far are actually for wheelchairs, anyway. If a show is completely sold out otherwise, I have no doubt some able-bodied people are buying them, and will likely be allowed to use them without issue.

 

Updated On: 10/4/23 at 02:13 PM

inception said: "RippedMan said: "Wonder why they'd choose Papermill to do an out-of-town tryout. Seems so close to the city. But excited to hear reports!"

Easier to build word of mouth. How many New Yorkers read West Coast news? Probably insignificant."

Also, Papermill has a pretty good track record for Broadway transfers. 

The absolutely wonderful, long running 1980s revival of You Can't Take It With You also moved from Paper Mill Playhouse (in a co-production with the Kennedy Center), as well as a short-lived revival of I'm Not Rappaport in 2002.   

At this point from my experience with that theatre, be on the lookout for house seats to be released 1-2 days before a performance. There is no availability otherwise.

What do we think the chances are that this extends by a week or two? Or do you think that Fiddler is too close behind it to extend?