| Never adapt first-rate material | |
| Posted by: NeoAdamite 03:13 pm EDT 05/01/24 | |
| In reply to: Gatsby Always Fails: My Explanation - Musicals54 11:45 am EDT 05/01/24 | |
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| It's far wiser to adapt midlist material like "Two Gentlemen of Verona" than masterpieces, because the better work is celebrated for being a perfectly integrated whole. Every review of GATSBY compared it directly to the book, and how could that ever come out in the musical's favor? A faithful adaptation of Fitzgerald would not attract producers. It's too bitter, there are no likeable characters, and the romance is between two people hellbent on avoiding self-knowledge. It indicts the audience. Instead, the current Broadway adaptation seems to have decided early on to make Gatsby/Daisy a sympathetic love story, and most of the other changes followed from there. I had no problem with the alterations made to Jordan and Myrtle, they weren't in conflict with the underlying story. Making Daisy more thoughtful fit less well, but it didn't bother me much. But giving Gatsby a solo moment declaring his deep and sincere love for Daisy...that's Broadway looking to put butts in seats, not Fitzgerald. |
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