Opulence, lavish soirées, a life of luxury in a mansion filled with butlers, suits and cars, but what is the point of it all, without someone to share it with? As Gatsby stares across the Long Island Sound, waiting for his love to notice him, it is impossible not to get wrapped up in the atmosphere of this extravagant play. Indian Creek Upper School’s production of “The Great Gatsby” was the bee’s knees!

It is summer 1922 in Long Island, New York, a time of bootlegging, flappers and irresponsibility. Nick Carraway gets swept up into this crazy world thanks to his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and his extravagant neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Nick reunites the two lovebirds, after five years apart, except this time it is a little more complicated. “The Great Gatsby,” originally a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is an American literary classic, with the stage adaptation by Simon Levy, it is bound to be a theatrical classic as well.

To bring to life one of the most famous literary works of all time is certainly daunting, but it is obvious that the cast’s embodiment of their characters was brought on by detailed research which fueled their acting.

Poignant, intelligent, and excellent, John Tahsuda’s performance as the naïve narrator, Nick Carraway was groundbreaking. His transitions from scenes to narrative were as smooth as the mint julips characters sipped. Proving that the best thing for a girl to be in this world is a pretty fool, Anna Vallario, Daisy Buchanan, gave a stunning performance. The unmistakable chemistry between Vallario and Cameron Johnson, Jay Gatsby, lit up the stage as bright as the green light, and made their love undeniably true. Johnson nailed the debonair, suave, and mysterious essence that surrounds Gatsby. His performance lived up to the name; it was truly great.

Tom Buchanan is a character that you just love to hate, and Garrett Odell brought this cocky character to life with ease and panache. The tension Odell and Johnson brought to the fight scene between Tom and Gatsby was tangible. Everything about Katherine Desrosier’s performance of Myrtle Wilson was spot on, even her death scene. The actors of the ensemble were just as great, their outstanding reactions were natural and really enhanced their scenes.

A life size car, a gun, and several martini glasses, the props were definitely a difficult dilemma, but Erin McNamara delivered. The amazing props enriched countless scenes. Of course Gatsby has several maids and butlers, so what a genius idea to have the stage crew dress up as just a few of them.

Whether you live in West Egg or East Egg, Indian Creek Upper School’s performance of “The Great Gatsby” is bound to leave you paralyzed with happiness!

by Chrissy Garrett of Perry Hall