Florence Welch has been working on a musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” While the project, titled “Gatsby,” was announced in 2021, Covid shutdowns made most live theater grind to a halt. But, the production has been able to continue, and will reportedly debut next year!
Welch is probably best known for fronting the Grammy-nominated rock band Florence + the Machine. So it’s no surprise that “Gatsby” will feature music by Welch and Thomas Bartlett also known as Doveman. Bartlett did an Oscar-nominated collaboration with Sufjan Stevens on the song “Mystery of Love” for the soundtrack to “Call Me by Your Name.”
Lyrics for “Gatsby” were written by Welch, with a book by Martyna Majok, who got a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2018 for her play, “Cost of Living.” Rachel Chavkin will be directing after their Tony-winning musical “Hadestown,” and choreography will be done by Sonya Tayeh (“Moulin Rouge!,” “So You Think You Can Dance“).
“Gatsby” features a special arrangement with Amanda Ghost and Len Blavatnik with Unigram/Access Entertainment, with Jordan Roth (President of Broadway’s Jujamcyn Theaters), in association with Robert Fox on the lead producing team. Hannah Giannoulis will serve as co-producer. While there is no word on casting yet, it’s already clear that this project is backed by some serious talent.
Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel takes place during the Jazz Age in Long Island, New York. It tells the story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan. Among a backdrop of lavish, over-the-top parties. It was also adapted by Baz Luhrmann into a feature film in 2013 starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
“Gatsby” will officially premiere in 2024 at the American Repertory Theater, Harvard University. We will keep you posted on “Gatsby” news as it becomes available.
