Larry A. Ryle High School's THE GREAT GATSBY
- Cincinnati Cappies
- 16 hours ago
- 8 min read
Review by Chloe Call, Milford High School Critic Team
Vintage jazz filled the room while the cast of The Great Gatsby took their places, welcoming the audience to step into 1920s New York City. Ryle High School's auditorium hummed with the thrill of the prosperous decade and the tantalizing promise of secrets and lies yet to be uncovered.
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the story follows Nick Carraway as he navigates the lavish parties and hushed secrets of the big city. The mysterious Jay Gatsby serves as a figure of wealth, illustrating how corruption can easily slip into the lives of aristocrats. The love story between him and Daisy Buchanan is fraught with misfortune and tragedy.
Larry A. Ryle High School's adaptation of the influential 1925 novel was every part as hypnotic as it was nuanced. Captivating performances from the cast paired with impactful tech elements painted a picture of professionalism and emotion. Lighting cues were suspenseful and attention-grabbing, while sets conveyed impressive craftsmanship. This production captured the energy of each party, the dramatics of tense fights, and even featured a talented live band.
Alex Towner played the role of the cautious narrator, Nick Carraway, candidly. His bewilderment and sincerity were evident in every flustered interaction or aside to the audience. Towner flawlessly portrayed Nick's honesty and thoughtful nature with just the right amount of charm. Meanwhile, Grace Cole expertly conveyed Daisy's longing and heartbreak, from her carefree shenanigans to her extreme state of anguish.
Her doomed lover, Jay Gatsby, was poignantly represented by Hudson Gaiser. Gaiser nailed Gatsby's steadfastness as he waited patiently for Daisy while he simultaneously maintained his private side. Furthermore, River Collier personified the sleek Jordan Baker with ease. Her presence was consistently cool and calculated in every drama-filled confrontation and intimate exchange.
Amidst a skilled tech team, the prop crew, led by Kirsten Lageman , stood out for their authentic attention to detail. They had a clear understanding of the accessories needed for each setting, such as the luxurious upper-class dinner glasses and the weathered belongings of the less wealthy. The prop car was particularly impressive in craft, creativity, and execution. Often working in tandem, Ryle High School's sound crew worked tirelessly to produce an atmosphere brimming with elegance. Led by Anderson Byrd , the team smoothly integrated well-timed effects with immersive music choices. From the illusion of a record player in a nearby room to the terrifying reality of a car hitting a body, the efforts of Ryle High School's sound crew did not go unnoticed.
In essence, the cast and crew depicted glitz, glam, and the consequences of the American dream. Larry A. Ryle High School truly lit a green light that's still shining across the bay. The Great Gatsby performed this fall can surely be regarded as a roaring (20s) success.
Review by Julianna Duker, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
As silence engulfed the theater, the cast and crew of Larry A. Ryle High School crashed onto the stage, creating a huge impact during their production of The Great Gatsby filled with tension, drama, and passionate love.
Set in the roaring 1920s, The Great Gatsby, adapted from the novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is narrated by Nick Carraway, who recently moved to Long Island near his cousin Daisy. While there, Nick meets Jay Gatsby, Daisy's old flame, and tries to unravel the mystery of who Gatsby really is while also figuring out how to adjust to the vast differences between the "old money" and "new money" lifestyles.
Larry A. Ryle High School expertly brought this production of The Great Gatsby to life, giving everyone a taste of extravagant life in the 1920s. The cast's outstanding acting, complex characterizations, and dramatic expressions combined with the well-oiled machine of the crew with their clean transitions, spot-on cues, and stylistic set and prop pieces created an immersive and dedicated atmosphere that kept the audience on their toes.
As the ever-present storyteller, Alex Towner exemplified the calm presence of Nick Carraway that both Gatsby and Daisy needed. Through his informative interactions with the audience, Towner brought everyone deeper into the story, using expertly delivered lines to give the audience an insight into the feelings of Nick. Despite her shy and whimsical tone, Grace Cole as Daisy Buchanan commanded the stage with her impressive range of emotions. Cole ping-ponged back and forth from distant and aloof to enthusiastic and lively, showcasing the turmoil and conflicting feelings Daisy experienced.
Hudson Gaiser as Jay Gatsby skillfully expressed his deep, unwavering love for Daisy, keeping the audience hooked until his death. His steadfast longing and protectiveness of Daisy, shown through his interactions and chemistry with the other characters, showcased the true nature of Gatsby. His accomplice in Operation "Get Daisy Back," River Collier as Jordan Baker, brought style and a laid-back personality to this production. Her calm and serious tone created the hard shell that Jordan puts around herself, only occasionally letting go.
Always watching and waiting, the crew brought immense support to this production with their timed precision and dedicated work ethic. Leading the charge, Kirsten Lageman as stage manager along with Nicholas White and Kori Bell on run crew executed the scene transitions effortlessly. The synchronization between the lighting, sound, and set changes created fluidity throughout the performance, never taking the audience out of the moment. Also notable to mention, the sound crew, led by Anderson Byrd, utilized accurate and appropriate sound cues through the dance sequences and rain scene. These well-picked cues immersed the audience fully in the story, taking everyone along for the ride.
Overall, Larry A. Ryle High School's production of The Great Gatsby was truly to die for, filled with laughter, love, and passion that showed how far someone would go for love in a truly memorable experience.
Review by Natalie Hartman, Lakota West High School Critic Team
The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg watched over the Larry A. Ryle High School theater as the cast of The Great Gatsby took the stage. With the start of the show, the attention narrowed to the stage, and the theater itself began telling the story alongside the actors. From the cast to the crew and the production team, evident hard work and dedication had paid off.
The Great Gatsby is one of the most well-known novels throughout society. Set in post-World War One New York, spirits were high and ambitions higher. People began investing in stocks, dodging prohibition laws, and chasing life's temporary pleasures. The Great Gatsby follows Nick Carraway and his interactions with his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, who is desperately in love with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan. Throughout the book, symbols of love, money, and the American Dream are used to explore the corrupt moral standing of the world and its inhabitants.
Larry A. Ryle High School's production of The Great Gatsby brought these book characters and everything about them to life. The show was heavily influenced by the text, which helped it to accurately convey the intended themes of the novel, without being an inherent copy of the original text. The cast embraced the complexity of their characters, driving the story's themes of corruption and deceit.
Led by Alex Towner as Nick Carraway, and Grace Cole as Daisy Buchanan, the characters all worked together to move the story forward. Cole did a wonderful job playing to the different sides of Daisy Buchanan. Her frustration and internal conflicts were portrayed very effectively onstage. Towner also executed his character well, navigating the moments when Nick Carraway addresses the audience separately from an ongoing scene.
One standout actor was Henry Lester as Meyer Wolfshein. While the story is complex and often hard to navigate, Lester had no problem translating the message onstage. The clarity with which he played his character rounded out the story in moments of complex plot developments.
The most striking element on the stage was the pair of eyes painted at the top of the set, meant to mirror those of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, a faded billboard from the novel. These eyes held great symbolism throughout the play, just as they did in the book. The lighting of the show, designed by Joe Anderson, was also very impactful. Shades of green served as a direct correspondence to the green light that Gatsby strives for in the book, and warmer tones portrayed the love shared between him and Daisy. The wig designer, River Collier, also did a wonderful job incorporating the culture of the time period into the show through hairstyles.
The Great Gatsby is a classic, wonderful novel, and it is safe to say that Ryle High School's production of the play was classically wonderful as well. From beginning to end, the cast and crew brought the story to life and made a lasting impact on their audience.
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"Bookending key moments with tactful narration and expertly delivered insights, Alex Towner's Nick Carraway set and maintained the pace of the show. Through intentionality and skill, Towner navigated the unique nature of his character, portraying the quiet newcomer slowly shifting within the new world he resides in, while slowing down at times to act as an omniscient narrator. His range as an actor was expressed especially well at the end of the show, where the formerly reserved Nick erupts into an uncharacteristic rage after the deaths of George, Myrtle, and Gatsby."
-Brady Eastep, Milford High School
"This production wouldn't have been what it was without Hudson Gaiser in the role of the ominous Jay Gatsby and River Collier as the witty Jordan Baker. Gaiser's embodiment of Gatsby was progressive; starting the show quiet and mysterious and growing into a yearning and bold man craving the love he once had for Daisy Buchanan. From tense moments with Tom, Daisy's husband, to sweet remembrances of his sparkling past romance with Daisy, it was an emotional journey up until his last moments. Collier's rendition of Jordan Baker was intentional and well executed."
-Heidi Hassman, Milford High School Critic Team
"Cooper Benton and Alexis Scott did a spectacular job at promoting this show. Their posters and social media posts greatly captured the essence of The Great Gatsby. Moreover, besides just social media posts and posters, they also created the beautiful painting of eyes that hung prominently on stage."
-Roland Hensley, Highlands High School Critic Team
"As for the supporting cast, Parker Roland stole the show with his performance as Tom Buchanan. Roland's portrayal of Tom Buchanan was wonderfully done. From the facial expressions to the body language when arguing with other characters, Roland's acting was phenomenal. Actress Sophia Hunt, in the role of Myrtle Wilson, was another memorable character. Hunt gave an enthralling performance. She brought not only a strong stage presence but also an ability to make the audience genuinely feel for her. Hunt brought so much emotion to her character that it was hard to look away."
-Carissa Swango, West Clermont High School Critic Team
"In contrast to the dazzling leads, Hudson Gaiser took audiences into the world of bedazzled parties with his performance as Jay Gatsby. In a moment of vulnerability when Daisy met with Gatsby once more, Gaiser's acting significantly stood out and conveyed the unraveling facade of the 'great' man that Gatsby was. Moments such as these from Hudson Gaiser left lasting impressions about his character and the story."
-Naomi Madaris, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
"This school's setting was the very definition of simple, yet effective. Colorful lights were masterfully utilized in order to portray emotion and various settings. For example, by manipulating the shape of a simple blue light, the crew was able to bring the infamous swimming pool scene to the stage. Not only was the set beautiful, but symbolic as well; Captivating eyes loomed over the audience, a stark contrast to the lavish, gilded lifestyles presented beneath."
-Rachel Vincent, Lakota West High School Critic Team
"Overall, Larry A. Ryle High School's production of The Great Gatsby was a stunning performance from its opening narration to its final bow."
-Alexandra Hess, Campbell County High School Critic Team