The party’s on at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School! So, pop the champagne and get ready to dance at The Great Gatsby.
Based on the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby takes place in Long Island, New York during the 1920’s. Following themes of greed and the American dream, this 2006 adaptation by Simon Levy was a finalist for the PEN literary awards. The story follows the classic tale of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, a love doomed by the curse of time. As the plot thickens, love, secrets, and lies come to light, proving that nothing stays in the dark.
Portraying the man who gave his name to this story, Cole Christianson shined as Jay Gatsby. Christianson’s emotional delivery through his facial expressions and characterization wonderfully conveyed to the audience how Gatsby was feeling during certain moments. His consistent, professional composure painted Gatsby as a powerful businessman, yet it faltered and showed a soft spot when it came to his true love. Gracing the stage as the elegant Daisy Buchanan, Mallory McKeon put on a dazzling performance. McKeon’s wide range of expression beautifully exhibited Daisy’s emotional journey throughout the show, particularly in her angelic vocal performance during the second act. Together, McKeon and Christianson’s romantic chemistry was heartfelt, pulling at the heartstrings of audience members with every warm embrace.
Alexi Arocho embodied Jordan Baker’s sophisticated grace masterfully. Arocho’s audacious character choices and polished physicality made her high class status evident through the way she held herself. Embodying the brute of a man that is Tom Buchanan, Nicolas Barreiros Plata’s performance was breathtaking. Plata’s build of emotions in high tension scenes was evident through choices such as the clenching of his fist, contributing to the believability of his anger. Commanding attention wherever she walked, Avery Patterson was electrifying as the lively Myrtle Wilson. Her sassy characterization and comedic line delivery was readily amusing, leaving audiences roaring in their seats.
The success of the cast of The Great Gatsby calls for a celebration! The Partygoers ensemble’s commitment to character in moments such as when they needed to freeze in place assisted in setting the mood and painting the picture. Although there were times when they lacked energy, their bold reactions made up for it, immersing audiences into the story.
The technical achievements in this show were a spectacle under the flashing lights. The time period accuracy throughout the show was readily impressive, for which they are to be commended. Costumes and props, led by Abigail Hilbert and Rebecca Hilbert, collaborated to create cohesivity among technical elements, further enhancing the time period accuracy. The lighting design team created ambiance with their stellar lighting choices. Details such as a green beam representing the light from Daisy’s house and the camera flashing during the photography sequence were expertly executed.
The party’s not over yet! Get your tickets to see Saint Thomas Aquinas High School’s fabulous production of The Great Gatsby while the green light still shines.
