The Great Gatsby Dazzles Its Way to Minneapolis
Last night, I had the chance to see the iconic The Great Gatsby at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, and it absolutely lived up to the buzz surrounding this newer Broadway adaptation.
Most people are familiar with The Great Gatsby, the classic 1925 novel by Minnesota native F. Scott Fitzgerald that has been adapted into multiple films over the years, most notably the 1974 version starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow and the 2013 version with Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. In April 2024, the story made its Broadway debut as a full-scale musical, and after seeing it live, I completely understand why it has been such a success.
Going into the show, I didn’t know the full story. I’ve tried reading the book a few times (never quite finishing it) despite its short length, and I’ve never seen the film adaptations. I knew the general vibe, Roaring Twenties, extravagance, and drama, but not the details. That actually worked in my favor, because while much of the show felt lighthearted and fun at first, the ending genuinely caught me off guard. The tone shifts in a powerful way, becoming much darker and more emotional as the characters’ stories reach their conclusions. After seeing the show, though, I am tempted to try to read the book yet again.
One of my favorite elements of the production was the dancing, especially the tap numbers. As a former dancer, I am a sucker for dance-heavy shows, and this one delivered. The choreography by Dominique Kelley transported you to the era of the Charleston, was precise, incredibly entertaining, and the performers were exceptionally talented across the board.
This was also my first time hearing any of the original songs. While none of them stood out to me as instantly iconic, they were all very solid, and the strength of the cast and orchestra elevated every number. The show’s jazz and pop-influenced score fits the era well and keeps the energy moving throughout.
The production design also really impressed me. This was my sixth Broadway show this year, and I’ve started noticing a trend: the use of dynamic digital backdrops that shift and move to enhance the physical set. Maybe this has been going on for a while, and I was living under a rock, but it’s definitely a trend I wouldn’t mind continuing to see. This show used that technique beautifully, creating the illusion of motion, like cars traveling or characters walking through the city, while adding depth and energy to every scene.
Photos by Evan Zimmerman
I attended the show with a friend who owns a performing arts company, and was eager to hear her thoughts. We both thoroughly enjoyed it overall; the cast, the visuals, and the music were all strong, and we would absolutely recommend seeing it. That said, we did notice a couple of small technical and stylistic choices that occasionally pulled us out of the moment.
First, the spotlight timing was slightly off throughout the show. It often hit a beat late and sat a little too low, sometimes casting shadows across the actors’ faces. It wasn’t a major issue, but it served as a reminder that you’re watching a live production rather than a perfectly edited film, which is never inherently a bad thing.
Second, the show tended to end every song and scene in the exact. same. way. A powerful final note followed by an abrupt cutoff, with the lead character frozen in a spotlight or silhouette. While effective the first few times, it became a bit repetitive and could have benefited from more variety in transitions.
The story itself, set in 1920s New York and centered around love, wealth, power, and heartbreak, is one that resonates for a reason. I was especially surprised by the twist at the end, and I’m glad I went in without knowing about it, as it really had a shock factor. A fun bonus for the Minnesota audience was that the character Nick Carraway’s roots in St. Paul are mentioned multiple times throughout the show, which drew some appreciative reactions from the crowd.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Great Gatsby, from its storytelling and performances to its choreography, costumes, and immersive production design. It’s a visually stunning and emotionally engaging show that I would definitely recommend seeing if you have the chance. Lucky for you, the show is in town until June 7th, and you can find your tickets here!
Photos by Evan Zimmerman
