If you attended an American high school, there’s a good chance F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 Jazz Age novel The Great Gatsby was part of the curriculum. Its exploration of gender, race, social class, inherited vs. self-made wealth, and its cynical view of the American Dream have secured its place as a Great American Novel. The story inspired several films, and now a new ballet.
“Step into the jazzy world of the Roaring Twenties with this new production of the World Ballet Company,” the Clark Center announced. “See the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel live on stage, featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, an all-star creative team, lustrous hand-crafted costumes, and lavish, groundbreaking sets. The original score evokes the energy and atmosphere of the 1920s.”
Choreographed by the renowned Ilya Zhivoy with a score by celebrated LA-based film and TV composer Anna Drubich, the ballet is a dynamic retelling of the story.
See The Great Gatsby: A New Ballet by World Ballet Company on its world premiere tour this Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Clark Center (7 p.m.; $45 to $95 at clarkcenter.org).Δ
This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 9, 2025.