Shadowbox Live to Stage Dance Theater Show BROKEN WHISPERS

Greed, power, betrayal, and the American Dream. The themes of The Great Gatsby are timeless, transcending the Roaring 20's era where the classic story takes place. And now you can experience the tragic tale like never before - with a Shadowbox twist. Shadowbox Live is presenting their newest dance theater production, Broken Whispers, opening August 18th at 503 S. Front Street.

"We've had such amazing feedback on our dance productions, starting with Vampires and most recently, Madness and Lust," says Katy Psenicka, Choreographer for Shadowbox Live. "Some patrons still say they among their favorite shows!"

Shadowbox Live's dance Theater Productions blend modern ballet and rock 'n' roll music, resulting in a truly unique experience. In 2013's Madness and Lust, Psenicka and Executive Producer Stev Guyer enlisted the help of Jimmy Mak, Head Writer, to adapt the classic novel Wuthering Heights into a stage production.

"Madness and Lust was an astounding success," says Psenicka, "so much so, that we began looking at other classic tales that would make interesting dance theater pieces. And that's when we settled on The Great Gatsby."

The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, telling the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire with an obsession in the form of a woman, Daisy Buchanan. The tale is seen through the eyes of Nick Carraway, a rather naïve young man who looks with astonishment at the opulence, infidelity, and lifestyle of the main characters.

And Shadowbox Live has added their own unique spin. In Broken Whispers, Gatsby is a woman.

"It adds a wonderful layer of complexity to the story," says Guyer. "It's still set in the 1920's, which means Gatsby isn't just a self made millionaire, she's a female self made millionaire, practically unheard of in that time. And the love story isn't simply a love triangle now, it's also a lesbian relationship, adding another layer to Daisy as she now has to decide whether to accept the stigma that surely would have existed in that era."

Gatsby will be played by fan favorite Amy Lay, who has gender swapped for multiple productions in the past, perhaps most notably as the ambiguous Emcee in Cabaret.

"She's incredibly versatile as an actress," says Guyer, "and I'm very excited to see what she brings to this production, because I know it will be something special."

The music in Broken Whispers includes a wide variety of styles from Portishead to Wham to Sade, and a few are even getting a Post Modern Jukebox treatment.

"We wanted to keep the music modern and still capture a bit of the Roaring 20's feel," says Psenicka. "It's really surprising and fun to hear songs you know in a different style!"

But at it's heart, Broken Whispers, like The Great Gatsby, is a multi-faceted tale of obsession, heartbreak, and disillusionment.

"I think those themes are why the story is still poignant today," says Guyer. "They are something that we, as adults, all face in some form or another. And ultimately, this is a story about how far they can drive you."

Shadowbox Live presents Broken Whispers opening on Thursday, August 19 18 at 7:30 PM, and running Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 PM through November 10, 2016. Two additional shows on Sundays August 21 & 28 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $25 / $20 for students, seniors and military. For more information and reservations, call the Shadowbox Live Box Office at 614-416-7625 or go online at www.shadowboxlive.org.

Shadowbox Live, a non-profit 501C3 performance ensemble, is the largest resident theater company in America, producing over 500 shows per year.

For over 20 years Shadowbox Live has produced world-class performances, spanning the artistic spectrum with sketch comedy, rock 'n 'roll, original rock operas, traditional musicals, drama, dance theater and new media; always putting emphasis on the unparalleled live experience.

To post a comment, you must register and login.