The Roaring Twenties — a time of glitz and glamour, and the backdrop for one of the most iconic novels to date. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story highlights the reality of the American dream, the recklessness of the elite, and the destructive nature of obsession disguised as love. Now with dazzling visuals, stellar choreography, and stunning vocals, The Great Gatsby, directed by Marc Bruni, is taking the stage by storm and invites us to partake in the extravagance … for better or worse.
Based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this musical follows soldier-turned-bondsman Nick Carraway as he’s swept into the spectacle and swag of his new neighbor and eventual friend Jay Gatsby as he recruits Carraway to help him reunite with his old flame, Daisy. What follows is a surprisingly hilarious and sometimes tragic romp through the challenges of wealth, class, and the futility of trying to repeat the past.
The interplay between spectacle and tragedy is particularly highlighted in the visuals of this show. The time spent at Gatsby’s parties is full of bright colors, surreal interpretations of period pieces, and lots of gold, in contrast to the bleakness and dulled color scheme of … well, everywhere else. The beautiful costumes, designed by Linda Cho, transport the audience to the 1920s while remaining visually interesting and modern. Extravagant set pieces and projections, designed by Paul Tate DePoo III, were visually dense and never-ending — including but not limited to fireworks, familiar art deco motifs, and actual cars going for a spin. And while I found the tone switches between spectacle and tragedy to be intense at some points, there’s no doubt that each scene’s designs matched what was being conveyed. The show’s exceptional atmosphere was bolstered by the dancing. Dominique Kelley’s sparkling choreography was masterfully presented by the cast as they swayed and tapped their way through this tale.
This cast was full of fabulous vocals, energetic moves, and well-developed characters. Jake David Smith was charming and lovable as Jay Gatsby, and shone vocally in many musical numbers, including “For Her” and “My Green Light.” Senzel Ahmady’s Daisy Buchanan was the perfect mix of starry-eyed lover and heartbroken woman forced to examine her place in life, highlighted in her final song, “Beautiful Little Fool,” which delivered all the emotion. Joshua Grosso was fabulous as the wide-eyed Nick Carraway and did a great job moving through the hilarity and somber moments his character experienced. Leanne Robinson’s Jordan Baker was a feisty feminist of the times who obviously knows how to have a good time. Lila Coogan, as Myrtle Wilson, was an audience favorite, bringing laughs and tears in equal measure throughout her journey. Everyone in this cast looked like they were having a great time, and that energy and spark fed into my enjoyment overall.
This production exemplifies the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties in a way only the stage can. With jazzy musical numbers, lovable characters with questionable motives, and a riotously fun background, The Great Gatsby will transport audiences in great style, old sport!
Running Time: Two hours and 30 minutes with a 20-minute intermission.
The Great Gatsby plays through February 7, 2026, at the Hippodrome Theatre’s France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD. Purchase tickets ($50—$250) online or call 410.837.7400.
Complete cast and creative credits for the touring company are online here.
