As 2022 begins, SXU Drama (https://theden.sxu.edu/organization/sxudrama) is proud to present their adaptation of one of the finest novels of the 1920s: F. Scott Flitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The show brings to the stage Flitzgerald’s tale of America’s Prohibition-era elite.
The show features a new adapted script of the original novel written by SXU Drama President Myah Bawadi, Vice President Giuli Islas, and SXU Drama’s Treasurer Nuala Hanlon.
Speaking on the development of the script, SXU Drama President Myah Bawadi said, “the three of us spent countless hours adapting the show from the book which is now in the public domain and we were able to bring a freshness to it similar to that of the 2013 Film!”
Working behind the scenes are Cyndi Grobmeier from SXU’s Communications Department and Kristel Flynn from the Student Success Program both taking on a producer role. Flynn has an extensive background in theater and has performed with theater groups such as the Gaelic Park Players and Stray Dog Theater for over ten years.
Auditions were held on Jan. 31, and the main cast has been decided. LJ Shoemaker stars as the titular Gatsby, and Barbara Gochee plays the novel’s narrator Nick Carraway. Gatsby’s former lover Daisy Buchanan will be portrayed by Shealynn Scott.
Daisy’s husband (and Gatsby’s snobbish rival) Tom Buchanan will be played by Kayla Krull. Additional cast members include Myah Bawadi (Jordan Baker), Giuli Islas (Myrtle Wilson), Luis Gallardo (George Wilson), and Nuala Hanlon (Meredith Wolfsheim). Melanie Munoz, Julian Juarez-Butler, Natalie Chibe, and Jack Morgan will also appear in supporting roles.
As SXU Drama is not requiring prior acting experience to perform in the play, it will be the first time many of these students will have graced the stage. On the whole, the play also seems to be an effort to establish a new theater community in SXU.
According to Myah Bawadi, “The show will be entirely written and directed by freshman students at SXU.”
The development of SXU Drama’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby is also part of a greater push to revive student-run theater and entertainment on campus.
Speaking on the subject of reviving theater at SXU, Cyndi Grobmeier told the Xavierite, “I will do whatever these amazing students need to get this first performance off the ground, as it will set the stage for a long future of student-run theater at Saint Xavier! It has been far too long since actors graced the stage of McGuire Hall, and I cannot wait to see that again!”
The play is bound to be an exciting event for both students and faculty. Seeing as how the pandemic took a toll on other Registered Student Organizations, it’s great to see SXU Drama make a comeback. Hopefully, the play will inspire more student-run entertainment on campus in the future.
Tickets are completely free for students of SXU. For faculty, family, etc., the cost is $10 per person. The play will be performed on Friday, April 8 at 7:30-9:30 P.M. and Saturday, April 9 at 7:00-9:00 P.M.
You can pick up your tickets at the Den: https://theden.sxu.edu/event/7702546.
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