The Story and Characters in The Great Gatsby
Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas, 2016
The Story: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1924 novel is about the decadence, idealism, resistance to change, social upheaval, and
excess of the Roaring Twenties. Over the years, there have been a number of stage and film adaptations. This version,
adapted by Simon Levy, delivers most of what is best in the book. It opened in 2006 at the Guthrie Theater.
Jay Gatsby, a millionaire whose fortune comes from mysterious sources – some possibly nefarious – passionately pursues
Daisy, a girl from his past who is now married to the conceited, wealthy, and volatile Tom Buchanan. Nick Carraway, a
young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obsession and meets Gatsby, the Buchanans, the sophisticated
Jordan Baker, and the hordes of revelers who party at Gatsby’s mansion. Tom has a penchant for loose, low class women
on the side, and he barely conceals the fact that his mistress is Myrtle Wilson, the wife of a working-class garage mechanic.
When Daisy finally decides to leave Tom and run away with Gatsby, a series of tragic events leads to the Myrtle’s death,
and it turns out that Daisy is responsible. Just as it seems that she and her idle and careless friends might be held
accountable, the obsession and greed of the age favors the rich again, and things go on as before, except for Gatsby, who is
murdered by the distraught Wilson.
The Roles:
Jay Gatsby – a romantic and charming idealist – handsome, debonair, and filthy rich, but with a mysterious past. He is
outwardly pleasant and longs for friendship, sometimes comic and boyish, although he is obsessed with Daisy so much it
controls his very being. He is between 26 and 32 years old.
Daisy Buchanan – Southern, with a voice that sounds like money. From the privileged class, beautiful and often the pawn
of her upbringing. She is used to being dominated – by Tom now – and unhappy until Gatsby comes back into her life and
gives her hope for the romantic life she once dreamed of. She is between 25 and 30 years old.
Nick Carraway – a young Midwesterner who is the epitome of the friend who is a supportive of everyone else’s whims.
He is likeable and a bit naïve at the beginning, and he seems to have a morality that his new rich friends lack. He is the
narrator of the story. He is only slightly younger than Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom.
Tom Buchanan – a hunk, with a powerful, cruel body. He is of the “old moneyed” upper class, selfish and domineering,
and more or less above the law. He is about 30 years old.
Jordan Baker – Daisy’s friend, with an athletic, almost masculine body. She is a famous tennis star and so fits into the
world of the super-rich. She is a contemporary with Daisy and Tom, about late 20s or early 30s.
Myrtle Wilson – Tom’s mistress, fleshy and sensual.
George Wilson – Myrtle’s husband, spiritless and anemic.
“Extras” in the show who double into the roles of:
Meyer Wolfsheim – an older man with a questionable reputation who has ties to Gatsby’s mysterious wealth.
Mr. McKee (Chester) – a photographer who is a resident in Myrtle and Tom’s apartment building. Possibly
middle-aged.
Mrs. McKee – Chester’s wife. They are visitors in Myrtle’s apartment.
Mrs. Michaelis – a resident in the neighborhood who tries to comfort Wilson after Myrtle’s death.
Policeman, Manservant, and party-goers who dance at Gatsby’s mansion during his many revelries.
Usually the following doubling takes place:
Wolfsheim/Mr. McKee/Policeman/Party-goer.
Mrs. McKee/Mrs. Michaelis/Party-goer.
Other party guests will also be cast. All the party-guests dance at Gatsby’s parties, but the dancing is not unison
choreography but, rather, couple-dancing, such as the Charleston. The furniture used in the show will usually be moved
about by the extras.