Florence Welch Wrote a Great Gatsby Musical
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Is the post-COVID era the next Roaring 20s? Florence Welch is hopeful. The Grammy-nominated Florence & the Machine lead singer-songwriter is writing a new musical, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The show, titled Gatsby: A New Musical, will stem from Fitzgerald's classic work, where newcomer Nick Carraway befriends the mysterious titan Jay Gatsby. The pair attend extravagant parties at Gatsby's mansion, pine after Gatsby's love interest, Daisy Buchanan, and ponder the existence of the American dream.
In 2021, the novel entered the public domain, spurring speculation as to whether an onslaught of adaptions would ensue as a result. Welch's production seems to be one such event, though it is unclear whether this project has been in the works for a while. This will be far from the first Gatsby adaptation. The 1925 book inspired a range of films, including, notably, Baz Luhrmann's 2013 feature starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The novel has also hit the stage multiple times, as plays, an opera, and a ballet. However, this may be the book's first ever musical treatment.
Below, find all the info about Gatsby: A New Musical.
Welch is writing the music and lyrics.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter is behind the musical's, well, music. She'll work alongside Grammy Award nominee Thomas Bartlett, who produced the song, “Jenny of Oldstones” with Florence & The Machine and has worked with a variety of other artists, from Sufjan Stevens (on the Call Me By Your Name soundtrack) to Norah Jones.
"This book has haunted me for a large part of my life," Welch said in a statement. "It contains some of my favorite lines in literature. Musicals were my first love, and I feel a deep connection to Fitzgerald’s broken romanticism. It is an honor to have been offered the chance to recreate this book in song."
The rest of the group behind Gatsby is a great one.
Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok (Cost of Living) wrote the book for the show. "I’m thrilled, honored, and inspired to work with this company of extraordinary artists, and to get to live in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s transcendent, gorgeous words," Majok said.
In addition, Gatsby will be directed by Tony winner Rachel Chavkin and choreographed by Sonya Tayeh.
Per a release, "The musical will be produced by American Repertory Theater at Harvard University by special arrangement with Amanda Ghost and Len Blavatnik for Unigram/Access Entertainment, with Jordan Roth, president of Broadway’s Jujamcyn Theaters, in association with Robert Fox, joining the lead producing team. Hannah Giannoulis serves as co-producer."
The musical will premiere at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University in 2024.
According to Variety, the show's team is "eyeing a Broadway run" after its regional premiere.
No specific premiere date has been set yet for the A.R.T. production, and no casting news has been announced. In the meantime, read (or re-read) Fitzgerald's original work.
The Great Gatsby
$8.79
amazon.com
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