THE GREAT GATSBY Begins Tonight at The Kaleidoscope

Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, THE GREAT GATSBY was adapted for the stage by Simon Levy and is directed by BCT Artistic Director, Colton Berry. Providing an intimate look into the beloved characters, Bayou City Theatrics' new production allows its audiences to be swept up in the romantic story of love, loss and the alluring pursuit of the "American Dream." THE GREAT GATSBY runs tonight, September 11, through the 27th at Bayou City Theatrics' downtown theater, The Kaleidoscope.

This high-paced production follows Nick Carraway (Jason Duga), as he reflects on a life-changing summer in Long Island, amidst the backdrop of the gin-soaked Roaring Twenties. Nick takes us back to the day he first arrived in New York, meeting his cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Tiffany Hopper) and her husband, Tom (Bill Giffen), for dinner. He is introduced to Daisy's childhood friend, Jordan Baker (Natasha Gorel), a famous golfer, who is instantly taken by Nick. Tom takes Nick into the City for a raucous party, where he meets Tom's mistress, Myrtle (Brennan Ashley), and continues to hear mysterious stories about the man inhabiting the enormous mansion that borders Nick's rental property, Jay Gatsby (Bill Reynolds). Though Nick is handed a myriad of explanations as to just who this intriguing billionaire may be, it isn't until he is invited to one of Gatsby's lavish parties that he meets the man behind the legend. Gatsby reveals to Nick that he recognized him from their division in World War I, and soon enough the two become great friends. When Jordan later reveals to Nick that Daisy has been suffering from a deeply broken heart since 1917, after a romantic encounter with a dashing lieutenant named Gatsby, the summer takes on a new weight for Nick, and the mysteries grow profoundly intricate.

"Our goal is to provide Houston audiences with an intimate look into a lavish story," says director, Colton Berry. "Using a constant score of period music and a 'secondary' cast of masterfully choreographed dancers, we let the Jazz Era rage on for the entirety of the evening, setting the tone for the piece and creating a lush backdrop for Fitzgerald's story." Berry continues, "Keeping the majority of the play's action as close to the audience as possible, we're allowing this infamous plot to unfold in a reach-out-and-touch relation to its spectators. A simplistic set revolves the actors and dancers from scene-to-scene and location-to-location, allowing Nick's journey to flow seamlessly, if not cinematically, akin to the swirling dance floor at one of Gatsby's parties."

THE GREAT GATSBY's cast also features Sam Martinez as Myrtle's meek, mechanic husband, George Wilson, Tyler Galindo as gambler-cum-butler, Meyer Wolfshiem, and others, Megan Nix as Mrs. McKee and others, as well as dancers, Adam Castaneda, Grace Jenkins, Christian Quiroga, Michelle Mayo, Stefanie Rodriguez and Eric Williams.

With set, sound and lighting design by Berry as well as a stunning costume design by Brandie and Ashley Frye, special properties design by Sam Martinez and choreography by Michelle Mayo, this innovative stage production of the classic work of American literature is not to be missed!

THE GREAT GATSBY runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 5:00 p.m., September 11 through September 27, at Bayou City Theatrics' downtown theatre, The Kaleidoscope (705 Main Street at Capitol, Suite B). Tickets are available at www.BayouCityTheatrics.com, through the box office line at 832.817.8656, or at the door, though BCT encourages purchasing tickets in advance to secure seating in their intimate venue. Convenient cash parking is located less than one block away at the corner of Capitol & Fannin, in the SAKS' garage.

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