What I liked
The jazzy musical accompaniment was absolutely perfect and the use of the venue’s space, as well as how you’re moved around through it, was really innovative. Plus, the show includes some free food and a non-alcoholic cocktail. All the performers were great, but I particularly enjoyed Lanehart’s Nick and Sarah Schulte’s Daisy.
What I didn't like
I’d have loved for even more opportunities for interaction. The few we had seemed pretty inconsequential and almost like we were killing time before the next key plot element. Still, this is a very minor criticism. Overall, I thought this was lots of fun.
My overall impression
What a perfect time to stage an adaptation of Gatsby, and what a stroke of brilliance to make it immersive. Audience members collectively take on the role of Nick Carraway, while actor Chris Lanehart conveys Nick’s interior thoughts and dialog from the novel. It’s an unusual approach, but a smart one that doesn’t take long at all to get used to. While this production only adapts the first chapter of the novel (it’s right there in the title, folks), it’s more than enough to get a taste of life in the Buchanan household, with all of the callous excesses and classicism intact. Yet, as Nick, you can’t help but be drawn in and let’s face it, it’s fun to play at being part of the elite. Great performances all around and I can’t wait for future chapters. If this opener was this much fun, I can’t wait to see Gatsby’s party.
