‘The Great Gatsby’: A dazzling musical revival of Fitzgerald’s classic

Peace Center, Greenville, SC.
March 31, 2026.

The Great Gatsby has roared onto Greenville’s Peace Center stage in a dazzling new musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. Complete with bootleg liquor, vintage automobiles, and the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby at its center, the production immerses audiences in the extravagant Roaring Twenties through flashy dance numbers and high-energy spectacle.

Jake David Smith leads the first North American tour as Jay Gatsby. Having previously seen him as the lovesick Marius in the national tour of Les Misérables, I was immediately drawn in by his compelling portrayal of Gatsby. From his first moments onstage, Smith made the audience root for the complicated dreamer at the heart of the story. His powerful, pure vocals anchored much of the show, delivering each song with emotional depth.

Senzel Ahmady brought nuance and vulnerability to Daisy Buchanan, capturing a young woman torn between two worlds. Joshua Grosso shone as Nick Carraway, opening and closing the show with captivating monologues, and injecting welcome comedic lines throughout. Leanne Robinson commanded attention as the spunky, independent amateur golfer Jordan Baker.

In a Broadway musical set in the Jazz Age, the dance numbers are essential, and Gatsby delivers. “Roaring On” opened the show with dancers backlit as elegant silhouettes, then burst into an atmosphere of extravagant opulence. Dominique Kelley’s choreography seamlessly blended period dances, like the Charleston, with contemporary hip hop and fluid modern moves. “New Money” kept the party going with bubbles, pyrotechnics and a kaleidoscope of motion. Moving scrims, legs, and projections wove seamlessly with the dancers’ steps, building an increasing sense of grandeur that turned the entire stage into a living, breathing extension of the choreography.

Act Two opened with “Shady,” a far darker number whose choreography reflected the dramatic tonal shift. Dancers wore trench coats and fedoras, their sharp steps illuminated by spotlights. The coats added visual mystique, as dancers swooped and flicked them with flair. Tap dance took center stage in “La Dee Dah With You.” Four dancers commanded the stage with crisp rhythmic footwork, and the audience fed off their infectious energy. Several ensemble members also appeared in old military uniforms and their choreography incorporated step dance – the grounded style perfectly mirroring the military precision of soldiers.

Having read Fitzgerald’s novel decades ago, I was somewhat familiar with what to expect, but I intentionally approached the musical with fresh eyes – avoiding a re-read beforehand. The story’s ending remains complex and sad, yet the musical delivers hope in the midst of sorrow. Gatsby’s elusive green light ultimately reminds us to keep reaching, no matter the cost.

The Great Gatsby is touring nationally now. Visit broadwaygatsby.com for tour dates near you.

By Melody McTier Thomason of Dance Informa.

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