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“The Great Gatsby” opening in Marietta

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MARIETTA - "The Great Gatsby" opens tonight at Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theater at 229 Putnam St. in downtown Marietta.

Based on the classic novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the play, adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, follows Nick Carraway, a young newcomer to Long Island who is immediately drawn into the extravagant world and lifestyle of his elite friends. Meanwhile Jay Gatsby, a millionaire known for his lavish parties, pursues his old flame, Daisy Buchanan, who is married to the wealthy and unkind Tom.

Elijah Conger plays Nick, who is out of his element at the beginning of the show when he arrives on Long Island.

"He’s just a nice, little, well put together guy from the Midwest who goes east to seek his fortune, and I think he gets a little bit more than he bargained for in that," Conger said.

Conger finds that he has much in common with his character.

"I actually resonate with him a lot because he’s definitely just amazed by everything around him,

and he just seems to be fascinated by all of the people that he’s meeting and all of the places that he gets to see, and that’s kind of how I try to approach my life. Everybody’s so cool to meet and everything’s so fun to see, and I like seeing that in a character as well."

Ike Eastwood returns to the stage as Jay Gatsby.

"Jay Gatsby is a man with an infatuation with the past and his love for Daisy and wants things to be back the way they used to be," Eastwood said. "He wants to recreate the past, and you can never do that. That's history."

Playing Daisy Buchanan is Rose White, who makes her debut with the Mid-Ohio Valley Players.

"Daisy is trapped in a lifestyle where she is forced to choose between comfort and love," she said. "Tom is comfort. Gatsby is love. And when Gatsby comes back, she is completely torn about what she really wants to do. She did not wait long enough for Gatsby, which she really should have."

White is eager for people to see the show.

"I am so impressed with the cast and the crew, and I feel so blessed to be able to work with amazing people," she said.

Director Tim Tuten loves classic literature, especially when it is adapted for the stage.

"My favorite part of directing this production is working with the actors of our cast. I had a vision of how these characters should be portrayed from how others have done in different versions of this show and they have just brought them to life, and added more great elements and depth on top of what I envisioned the characters to become," he said.

"People should come to see and expect an exciting jammed pack show filled with drama, humor, great acting, music, lights and dancing that brings a fresh look to The Great Gatsby than from how it's been seen before in other adaptations."

The Great Gatsby runs 7:30 p.m. today, Saturday, Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 and 3 p.m. Oct. 4. Tickets are $15 and are available in the box office two hours before each show or online in advance at midohiovalleyplayers.com

This show is sponsored by Dr. William Cline and Sue Cline and is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service.

Cast

Jay Gatsby – Ike Eastwood

Nick Carraway – Elijah Conger

Daisy Buchanan – Rose White

Jordan Baker – Ella Wells

Tom Buchanan – Marcus Marshall

Myrtle Wilson – Alley Moore

George Wilson – Caleb Bland

Mrs. Lucille McKee – Grace Cremeans

Mr. Chester McKee – Jack Martin

Meyer Wolfsheim – Danny Bayer

Policeman – Mark Abicht

Mrs. Michaelis – Xye Montgomery

Ensemble – Jack Martin, Freddie Masseli, and Lauren Smith

Director – Tim Tuten

Assistant director – Sara Matuszak

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