Most of us are familiar with the enduring American classic, The Great Gatsby. First published in 1925, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s intriguing novel has since appeared as a film (four different versions), a television movie, and an opera as well the stage adaptation by Simon Levy. Levy’s insightful version has been produced dozens of times and has found its way to the Theatre at the Fort stage presented by Noblesville’s Belfry Theatre Productions.
Rachel Bush as Daisy Buchanan and Samuel Smith as Jay Gatsby. (Photo by Rob Slaven / Indy Ghost Light Photography)
Directed by Andrea Odle, the Belfry’s offering at Theatre at the Fort is an artful telling of the story with tableaus songs and some quality performances. The young cast has many fine moments mixed in with the interesting technical aspects of the show. Especially noteworthy is the selection of period costumes by Judy McGroarty and Addie Taylor. The effective set design by Mason Odle provides just the right surroundings for any scene.
Samuel Smith takes the title role, and although his vocal power could use a boost, I felt he found some nice features of his character in his portrayal. Rachel Bush takes on the object of Gatsby’s attentions, Daisy Buchanan, with a good understanding of her plight, while Mike Lipphardt’s turn as her husband Tom Buchanan was impressive and striking in its strength.
Troy Bridges and Tessa Gibbons are paired up as Daisy’s cousin Nick Carraway and her pal Jordan Baker, and both do very commendable work in their roles. Jessica Hawkins adroitly appears as Tom’s “other woman” Myrtle Wilson, and Jackson Stollings aptly portrays her betrayed husband George. Erin Chandler, Zach Thompson, and Nicholas Maudlin round out the cast with a variety of roles.
Director Odle keeps the action moving with a well-thought-out scheme of flowing set changes which take a bit to get used to but maintain the forward flow of the play.
Troy Bridges as Nick Carraway and Tessa Gibbons as Jordan Baker. (Photo by Rob Slaven / Indy Ghost Light Photography)
Finally, the three standard bugaboos I often find in many community theatre offerings are indeed present at times here. Volume (projection, please), pacing (hit those cues) and timing (this seems to be especially problematic in emotional scenes – keep feeling, but keep speaking) are aspects mostly for a director to look after, but also for the actor to be aware of.
Bottom line: This is a beautiful show to see with a lot of good portrayals and Fitzgerald’s wonderful story as its center. The cast and crew accomplish some fine theatrics with room to get better.
Belfry Theatre’s The Great Gatsby continues at Theatre at the Fort through March 26 with evening shows on Friday and Saturday, and matinees on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Ticket information is available at TheBelfryTheatre.com.
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