‘The Great Gatsby’ Dazzles with Jazz-Age Splendor and Heartache
The green light is shining once again on The Great Gatsby, this time in a spectacular Broadway musical adaptation starring the incomparable Jeremy Jordan as the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and the luminous Eva Noblezada as his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. With a book by Kat Kerrigan and a score by Jason Howland & Nathan Tysen, this production turns F. Scott Fitzgerald’s quintessential American novel into a roaring spectacle of 1920s excess, longing, and inevitable tragedy. The result? A glittering triumph that captures the allure and ache of Gatsby’s world, blending high-energy choreography, soaring vocals, and heartbreaking performances.
[Warning: spoilers from Broadway’s The Great Gatsby are below!]
Jeremy Jordan’s Gatsby: a star-crossed dreamer in full vocal glory
From the moment Jordan steps on stage, he embodies the mystery and magnetism of Jay Gatsby with effortless charm and a smoldering intensity. His powerhouse tenor breathes new life into Gatsby’s yearning, especially in numbers like “For Her” and “My Green Light,” where his voice soars over the orchestration like a man reaching for a dream just out of grasp. Jordan’s natural charisma makes Gatsby’s contradictions (his bravado and insecurity, his passion and delusion) all the more devastating.
Eva Noblezada’s Daisy: an ethereal voice for a doomed romance
As Daisy Buchanan, Eva Noblezada is equal parts dazzling and delicate. Her vocal performance is nothing short of spellbinding, particularly in “For Better or Worse,” where she infuses Daisy’s nostalgia with aching regret. Noblezada’s chemistry with Jordan is electric, making their scenes together pulse with tension and longing. She deftly navigates the challenge of making Daisy sympathetic yet frustratingly elusive, painting a portrait of a woman trapped between love and self-preservation.
A strong ensemble brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s world to life
Dan Rosales’ Nick Carraway serves as the audience’s guide through Gatsby’s glittering world, and he does so with a keen balance of naïveté and quiet judgment. His solo, “The Met,” captures Nick’s conflicted emotions as he watches the drama unfold around him. Samantha Pauly’s Jordan Baker is a perfect match for the role, exuding the cool confidence and sharp wit that makes Jordan such a compelling character. Her duet with Rosales, “Better Hold Tight,” is a delightful highlight.
On the grittier side of the story, Sara Chase’s Myrtle Wilson is a force of nature, bringing fire and tragic vulnerability to the role. Her impassioned delivery of “One-Way Road” showcases Myrtle’s desperation to escape her circumstances.
John Zdrojeski, as Tom Buchanan, embodies toxic privilege with unsettling ease, his commanding presence making Tom a formidable antagonist. His duet with Noblezada within the ensemble piece “Made to Last,” adds a surprising emotional complexity to Tom’s possessiveness. Charlie Pollock’s George Wilson delivers a gut-wrenching performance, culminating in the devastating “God Sees Everything.”
Broadway veteran Terrence Mann’s Meyer Wolfsheim adds a deliciously menacing presence, and his jazzy, sinister solo “Shady” is a scene-stealer, grounding Gatsby’s world in the shady underbelly of 1920s crime.
Direction, choreography, and design: A roaring twenties spectacle
Director Marc Bruni keeps the pacing tight and the tension high, allowing both the spectacle and the emotional core of the story to shine. Choreographer Dominique crafts dazzling dance numbers that transport the audience straight into the hedonistic world of Gatsby’s lavish parties, with high-kicking flappers and Charleston routines that feel both period-accurate and thrillingly contemporary.
The production design is breathtaking, with Paul Tate dePOO III crafting an opulent, multi-layered set that seamlessly transitions from Gatsby’s palatial mansion to the desolate Valley of Ashes. Corey Pattak bathes the stage in golden hues and haunting greens, while Linda Cho delivers a parade of Art Deco-inspired fashion that is as breathtaking as it is historically evocative.
At its core, The Great Gatsby remains a meditation on the American Dream—its allure, its promise, and its inevitable failure. This adaptation does justice to Fitzgerald’s themes while adding new emotional layers through music and movement. As Gatsby reaches for that ever-elusive green light, we are reminded of our own dreams and the ghosts that haunt them.
A brief history of The Broadway Theatre
The Broadway Theatre, where The Great Gatsby has found its home, is a venue with a rich and storied past. Initially built in 1924 as a movie palace named the Universal’s Colony Theatre, it was renamed the Broadway Theatre in 1930 and transitioned into a premier destination for live performances.
Over the years, it has hosted landmark productions, including South Pacific (1949), Les Misérables (1987 revival), and Miss Saigon (1991). Known for its large stage and excellent acoustics, the theater has been a fitting home for grand productions, and The Great Gatsby is no exception. With its history of housing ambitious, large-scale musicals, the Broadway Theatre continues to be a beacon for theatrical innovation.
The Great Gatsby is a must-see theatrical event
With its stellar cast and stunning design, The Great Gatsby is a jazz-lover’s dream. Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada lead a first-rate ensemble in a production that is as dazzling as it is deeply moving. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Fitzgerald’s novel or new to Gatsby’s world, this show is an unforgettable theatrical experience. The green light is shining bright. Don’t miss it.
The Great Gatsby is running now until at least September at The Broadway Theatre. Have you seen this show in New York City? Plan on catching it when it begins its North American Tour soon? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or @boxseatbabes or CosmicCircusBroadway on Bluesky!
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