This play answers the question “what’s six and a half hours long, uses every word of The Great Gatsby as its text, and cannot be staged in New York?” Gatz is an admirable, extreme adaptation. Most of the words are spoken by Scott Shepherd, who reads Nick’s dialogue and his narration. A large cast voices other parts and also puts on effective dumbshows. On the empty space of the stage, a low-rent, aging office makes a second space which then is wittily made into a third, one which includes West Egg and Gatsby’s mansion. The set initially harbors a (broken) computer but is made to connect to the 1920s via windows, a swivel chair, and other elements. Actions are carried out before they are verbally narrated, so that the words sometimes become a sort of comical rimshot, anticipated by the actors; both actions and words get space of their own this way, too. The result, odd as it may seem, is both playful and faithful, capable of satisfying avant-garde theatergoers as well as great books enthusiasts.
Oh yes it can, and most probably will, be staged in New York, perhaps as early as fall 2010. Elevator Repair Service, the company behind the show, is New York based. Conflicts over rights to dramatize the Gatsby material had prevented ERS from a New York booking, but those conflicts have been resolved. For details see
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/30/a-new-york-get-for-gatz/
Harry, thanks for linking to what I knew about, but couldn’t include, in my brief review. As you and I both say, conflicts over rights have prevented a NYC staging so far. Nice of you to share with everyone that ERS is now deciding on a NYC venue and planning to set up a show there, so that this will be rectified in the future.