Old Sport, New Sound: WGHS Teacher Gives Green Light To “The Great Gatsby” Musical Tour

(image courtesy of TicketNews / Broadway)

As the North American tour of “The Great Gatsby - A New Musical” prepares to hit the road, a WGHS staff member shares her thoughts on this adaptation of a riveting story all about the American Dream. 
by Julie Bohannon

In 2024, a new musical took the Broadway fandom by storm with its recognizable title and catchy songs based on one of America’s most famous stories, The Great Gatsby. As the North American tour cast prepares to set off across America, Mrs. Whitehurst, a teacher of American Literature and The Great Gatsby title, shared her excitement and support of this show. “I think a musical adaptation of The Great Gatsby is a marvelous idea!” she said. “I'm sure that many people who go see it will already be familiar with the story.” She expressed her “hope that the musical will introduce it to a new generation of people." 

As the 1920s is an era full of glamour, Mrs. Whitehurst agreed that since the story is “so full of imagery… the set and costume designers will have a lot to work with.” She also thinks "the costumes will be especially gorgeous”. “I can’t think of anything specific that would be hard to replicate on a set.” She said when asked what she thought may be hard to recreate onstage. 

Over the years, there have been many different adaptations of the Gatsby story as a whole. With both a book, and a very popular movie, Mrs. Whitehurst expressed her pleasure with the musical being an addition to the title, “I don’t think there should be a cap on how many adaptations of a book there are - the more the better! ...Everyone has a different perspective, and I think any time a writer, director, or actor brings their unique perspective to a work, it’s always interesting.” As a final thought, she said “A musical really works well (I think) with the vibe of Gatsby and the 1920s.” 

As the 2026 North American tour starts to set off across the bay, WGHS raises its green light, and roars into the 1920s and the story of The Great Gatsby.