I love movies, I really do, but a live theatre (pronounced thea-tuh) crowd as a whole is just a step up. It must be because the tickets cost so much more. Last night we saw The Great Gatsby at the Grand Theatre and it was thoroughly enjoyable. I don’t know how I ever missed F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story in its entirety up to this point but I did so it was an education about a classic as well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a production so minimalist, so spare, so under-acted instead of over-acted. Kudos to the director.
Set changes occurred with the sweep of a passing curtain. Everything was unfussy and smooth. The whole cast was great but the women stole the show, in my view. The actor who played Gatsby, while undeniably good looking, had a kind of stiff manner about him. I suppose that was a performing choice. Regardless, thank you fellow thea-tuh goers for not rattling candy bags or talking during the performance or thumping the back of my seat – it was nice to be reminded how well-behaved y’all are!
Side note: We read up on Fitzgerald and the production in the program and I was amused to note a little warning about how the Grand aims to be scent-free. It asks patrons to refrain from using perfumes and scented products. Er, um, isn’t it a little late for that once you’re there and seated? I suppose it’s a good heads-up for next time but if you’ve already bathed in Eau De Soup du Jour there isn’t much you can do about it!