Lynbrook HS Performs 'The Great Gatsby'

Story by Rosemary Leonetti:

Capturing the allure and intrigue of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece novel, the Lynbrook High School Drama Club presented a stage production of “The Great Gatsby,” bringing Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan and friends to life in all their passionate and tragic glory.

The story is narrated through the eyes of Daisy’s cousin, Nick Carraway, played by Matthew Paris. Recently arrived from the Midwest, Nick is at first entranced by the glamour of Long Island’s Gold Coast and the allure of his mysterious and wealthy neighbor Jay Gatsby (Zack Zaromatidis). He soon learns that Jay and Daisy (Sydney Lazar) were once lovers.

Daisy has since married the rich and powerful Tom Buchanan (Brandon Hanna), but unable to let go, Gatsby has spent the last five years obsessed with winning her back.

It seems at one point that the two lovers may finally find happiness in each other’s arms, but while driving Gatsby’s car, Daisy strikes and kills an innocent woman, Myrtle Wilson (Melissa Gralitzer). Seeking revenge, Myrtle’s husband George (Kevin Simon) hunts down Gatsby and shoots him dead.

Sadly, Gatsby, the man who had been the center of many extravagant parties at his lavish estate, has only one visitor at the funeral marking the end of his life.

Other lead roles were played by Melissa Schepers as Jordan Baker, Margaret Neal as Lucille McKee, Tyler Walsh as Meyer Wolfsheim and Samantha Laskin as Mrs. Michaels. Robert Habermann played the Waiter, Chester McKee and the Cop.

The show was artfully directed by Tommie Gibbon, with the assistance of Barry Wyner. The aura of the Gold Coast was captured on stage through the art direction of Michael Kunz, the set construction of Thomas Sena and the lighting design of Glen Davis.

As costume director, Thea Sieben dressed everyone in the elegance of the age. Patrick Finn was the music coordinator and sound design was handled by Jessica Paz. An able stage crew handled scene changes dressed in white jackets, adding an extra touch of class to the production.