Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman, featuring the cast of “The Great Gatsby” at the Hobby Center
In the Houston Theater District, a talented cast came together to showcase a musical adaptation of the novel “The Great Gatsby.”
Through writing, acting, choreography, costumes and music, the production brought the audience into a theatrical escape.
Set in the 1920s Jazz age, the show displays themes of inequality, marriage, love and wealth.
The story follows Jay Gatsby, an obsessive man with a mysterious wealth who hosts extravagant parties in New York.
Additionally, the author of the novel, Scott Fitzgerald, draws ideas from his personal life.
The characters include Gatsby, who represents self-made wealth, and Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who represent inherited wealth.
The production included Art Deco pieces and a historically fit line of costumes brought to the audience by Linda Cho.
The design focuses on the luxury and glamour of the 1920s, with color schemes of black and gold.
Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman, featuring the cast of “The Great Gatsby” at the Hobby Center
Furthermore, from the extravagant scores to ballads, the songs represent the characters and their struggles.
Gatsby’s songs “For her” and “Past is Catching Up to Me” include classical musical theater and pop ballads.
Conversely, Buchanan’s songs “Beautiful Little Fool” and “For Better or Worse” are melancholic to highlight her inner conflict.
High energy ensemble numbers like “Roaring On” and “New Money” use complex jazz harmonies to capture the era’s chaos.
The comedic timing, pace and stage presence of each actor is captivating.
Jake David Smith commands the stage with his effortless charm as Jay Gatsby while Senzel Ahmady beautifully portrays Daisy and her desperation.
The actors own the stage with their unique presence, confidence and shine, which helps the plot flow effortlessly between words and music.
This performance of the Great Gatsby takes the audience on a beautiful journey with its immaculate attention to detail, making the century-old story breathlessly modern.
Tickets are available on the Hobby Center website.
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