KeyBank Broadway Series production of ‘The Great Gatsby’ will razzle some dazzle others

Sometimes reading a book or seeing a movie adaptation or two can hurt one’s perception of a Broadway musical. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel “The Great Gatsby” captured the roaring twenties in sharp detail (warts and all). Fitzgerald went to great lengths in capturing the razzle dazzle that varnished over the truth of deep pain, relentless social climbing, loss of ethics, post-war psychosis (exhibited in both civilians and veterans alike) and jazz-jazz-jazz which translated into sex-sex-sex.

Since Fitzgerald’s masterpiece has fallen into public domain it has not taken long for the Broadway musical adaptation to hit the boards. The first to land has book by Kait Kerrigan, music by Jason Howland with lyrics by Nathan Tysen. This version has been given the F. Scott Fitzgerald estate’s enthusiastic blessing. The touring production now on stage in the Connor Palace at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio is directed by Marc Bruni.

This version leans heavily on flash but is lean on grit which the originals had plenty of. Don’t get me wrong, this is a superb Broadway extravaganza with flashy 20’s costuming by Linda Cho that is appropriately sparkling and period correct. The show also features spectacular art deco stage sets and truly inspired scenic projections of clouds and waves all by Paul Tate DePoo III. The fifteen member ensemble is able to fill the stage due to the genius choreography of Dominique Kelley. Then there are the cars that are driven on stage, a yellow Rolls-Royce and a blue Pierce Arrow coupe that wows the crowd.

Nick Carraway (Joshua Grosso), is a Yale graduate and World War I veteran who has moved from his family’s home in Minneapolis, MN to New York City to seek his fortune selling bonds. Finding apartment prices in New York out of his reach he lucks into a cottage at West Egg on Long Island for only $80 a month. The humble abode is next to an elaborate mansion owned by Jay Gatsby (Jake David Smith), who also owns the cottage. Soon, Nick is invited to one of Jay’s elegant parties. Thinking that this could be a good place to sell bonds, Nick accepts.

Nick has a cousin Daisy Buchanan (Senzel Ahmady) whom Jay had met at a party before shipping out overseas during the war. Jay fell hard for Daisy but his letters were destroyed by her father who considered Jay unsuitable marriage material. After the war, Jay became a prominent bootlegger thus amassing his huge fortune. With this newfound wealth, Jay bought property directly across the sound from Daisy and her husband Tom’s (Will Branner) mansion.

Once settled in, Nick visits Daisy and Tom and is introduced to Jordan Baker (Leanne Robinson) who is a female professional golfer. Nick and Jordan do not hit it off at first. Daisy agrees that Nick should attend the party as they are curious as to who this Gatsby character is having thought they never met him.

It soon becomes clear what Jay’s real intentions are. At the party, Jay talks Nick into hosting a tea party for Daisy at the cottage which Nick does since he feels that Tom (Daisy’s husband) is abusive. The plans are put into motion and soon Daisy and Jay are lovers, Nick and Jordan are lovers and Tom and Myrtle Wilson (Lila Coogan) are lovers. Her husband, George (Tally Sessions) owns the gas station where Jay and Tom gets their cars serviced).

As for the actors, what they lack in experience they make up in chutzpah. I did have some issues with Jake David Smith’s portrayal of Jay Gatsby that lacked the suaveness of a Robert Redford and was at times a bit cartoonish (the phrase “Old Sport” was much overdone). Joshua Grosso as Nick Carraway looked more like a recent high school graduate rather than someone who had survived a world war and college. Leanne Robinson as Jordan Baker shines as the independent professional female golfer and love interest for Nick. Lila Coogan as Myrtle Wilson plays a very strong character to the max. Senzel Ahmady as Daisy Buchanan is probably one of the more believable characters as the abused wife. The same can be said of Will Branner as Tom Buchanan and Edward Staudenmayer as Meyer Wolfsheim who both bring loads of stage experience to their roles.

While the music is of the usual “adapted from a book or film” generic fare it does have its moments where it raises above the norm. Some of the solo work is exceptional and the group singalong by the ensemble is quite notable as well. The fourteen piece orchestra is directed by Charlie Alterman.

For fans of the book and/or movies you may find yourself puzzled at the liberties taken and may leave wanting more grit and suffering. The rest of us will be satisfied with the spectacular sets, musical numbers, cars and jazz (sex) as a fine example of when Broadway is at its best when it hits the local stage.

The KeyBank Broadway Series production of “The Great Gatsby – A New Musical” will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through June 28, 2026. For more information and tickets go to https://www.playhousesquare.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.