So We Beat On (Broadway in Louisville)
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The Great Gatsby
Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Book by Katie Kerrigan
Directed by Marc Bruni
Review by Loraine Lawson Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Loraine Lawson. All rights reserved.
What is it about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby that draws modern audiences?
Is it the story of love gone awry? The carelessness of the elite? The tragedy of Gatsby’s American Dream, which once realized evaporates beneath him?
Whatever drew audiences to see PNC’s Broadway Louisville performance of The Great Gatsby: A New Musical on Tuesday night, they were rewarded by a spectacular show.
From the opening scene to the finale, the cast and crew delivered in a big way on the familiar story, starting with the opening scene featuring the impressive vocal range of Joshua Grosso as the unreliable narrator, Nick Carraway.
Jay Gatsby was played heroically and with a touch of enduring self-consciousness by Jake David Smith, who delivered both breadth and depth on numbers such as “For Her.”
Daisy Buchanan was played by Senzel Ahmady. It’s easy to dislike Daisy, who ultimately leaves Gatsby on the hook for her deadly actions. Ahmadi counters this with an element of vulnerability that brings depth to the character. She also brought an impressive vocal range on “Absolute Rose” and ”Beautiful Little Fool.”
Jordan Baker, played by Leanne Robinson, shone on “For Better or Worse.” Will Branner deserves a call out for his convincing portrayal of Tom Buchanan as an unlikable brute. Lila Coogan also delivered a stellar, heartfelt performance as Tom’s doomed lover, Myrtle Wilson.
To be honest, the entire cast, from the stars to the ensemble dancers and chorus, gave strong performances without disappointments.
Audiences were also treated to outstanding dance numbers, including a show-stopping tap routine by Tyler Johnson-Campion and Josiah Hicks during ”La Dee Dah with You.”
With so many impressive performances, it’s hard to pinpoint who shone the most.
The performances also were well-supported by the extraordinary art deco-inspired sets and costumes.
The sets were beautiful and versatile, from the opening scene of a cove at night to Gatsby’s funeral scene. An audience favorite, as judged by overheard discussions, were the scenes involving real cars, particularly when Tom’s car appears to be driving into Manhattan.
I could’ve watched this musical for the costumes and set alone. Particularly striking were the kaleidoscope of jewel-colored costumes worn by the ensemble players at Gatsby’s first party. Kudos to all the designers who worked on this show.
The vocals, the costumes, the scenery, the music and dance all felt contemporary while still retaining the 1920s aesthetic of the original novel.
The Great Gatsby: A New Musical is playing at the Kentucky Center for the Arts nightly through Sunday, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Great Gatsby: A New Musical
Broadway in Louisville
Tuesday Feb 10-Friday Feb 13 at 7 p.m.
Saturday Feb 14 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Feb 15 at 1 and 6 p.m.
Whitney Hall at the Kentucky Center
501 West Main Street
Louisville KY 40202
