INTERVIEW: Paul Whitty finds the tragic heart of “The Great Gatsby”

Photo: Paul Whitty plays George Wilson in The Great Gatsby: A New Musical, now playing on Broadway. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman / Provided courtesy of Vivacity Media Group.

Paul Whitty is an actor who knows his way around Broadway. The accomplished performer has appeared in numerous hit shows over the years, including Camelot, come from far away, once, The fabulous world of Amelie And Bringing the band back togetherNow he brings his acting talent to The Great Gatsby: A New Musicalwhich has an unlimited run at the Broadway Theatre. Directed by Marc Bruni, the show stars Jeremy Jordan in the title role and Eva Noblezada as Daisy Buchanan.

In the musical, Whitty plays the key character George Wilson, a working-class mechanic who somehow becomes entangled in the noble (and dangerous) machinations of the elite class who pass by his shop on their way from New York City to the residential areas further east on Long Island. The actor said in a recent interview with Hollywood soapboxsaid he came to the project thanks to his connection with Nathan Tysen, who wrote the lyrics for The Great Gatsby and worked with Whitty on Amélie.

“He called me and said, 'Hey, could you do this reading?'” Whitty recalls the conversation. “And months later they did a reading. At first I was really fascinated by the music. I thought Jason [Howland] has made a fantastic score.” Howland is also responsible for the music direction and arrangements, while Kait Kerrigan wrote the book and Dominique Kelley is the choreographer.

It didn't hurt that Whitty had faith in the source material. The Great Gatsby: A New Musical is, of course, based on one of the most famous books of all time: F. Scott Fitzgerald's early 20th-century novel, which is on the reading list of most schoolchildren and students.

When Whitty signed on for the reading, he was invited back for new reruns, including an out-of-town audition at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. Whitty said the Paper Mill production was still a work in progress, but the cast knew they had a strong show ahead of them. Many of the songs and choreographic steps have changed since the move to Broadway, but what remained throughout the move was this idea that The Great Gatsby may be decadent and visually stunning, but ultimately it is a sad story. “History is a tragedy,” Whitty said. “And the Wilsons remind us of that tragedy.”

Class differences are also evident, particularly in the character of George Wilson. Whitty sees his role as always looking out for “people of power and means.” An amazing set by Paul Tate dePoo III, who is responsible for both set and projection design, helps him embody this character. For Whitty's scenes, there is a run-down garage with a lonely gas pump, as well as a giant billboard with omniscient eyes looking down in judgment. Whitty described these eyes as essentially another character in the show.

Whitty's personal connection to the source material is interesting. “I read it in high school,” he said, laughing. “I don't think I finished it, and maybe I used Cliffs Notes. Then I read it in college. As I got older, I appreciated it more. Then I read it again. [with this show]… The American dream seems to be an appealing subject.”

To say that Whitty has “revisited” the novel for this Broadway engagement is an understatement. He has a pre-show ritual where he reads a section of the book every night just before curtain. Since his interview with Hollywood soapboxhe had already read Fitzgerald's novel three times backstage. This ritual immerses Whitty in the language of the period and Fitzgerald's “verse-like sentences.” He wants the Roaring Twenties and jazz to flow off the page and inspire him. “I feel it's my responsibility to tell this tragic story,” he said. “The cast is going through a physically exhausting time. I'm going through an emotionally exhausting time.”

Whitty added: “I'm always grateful. I'm very lucky to be able to do what I love for a living. I don't get much 'fun' out of this show because it's so serious. I love it, but it's hard work.”

By John Soltes / Editor / [email protected]

The Great Gatsby: A New Musical starring Paul Whitty as George Wilson continues at the Broadway Theatre. Click here for more information and tickets.