by Audrey Farris ‘25

Seniors Emily Scholl, playing Daisy, and Kate Diuguid, playing Jordan, rehearse their lines for the upcoming spring play, “The Great Gatsby.”

The Sherwood theater department is celebrating the Roaring 20s with their first play on the stage in two years. “The Great Gatsby” is the classic story, originally from the 1925 novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, that is full of love and heartbreak in jazz-age New York. This tale of the dark side of the American Dream will be performed in the Ertzman Theatre April 28, 29, 30 and May 1.

Auditions were held on February 7 and 8 by theater teacher Elizabeth Kominski, and the large number of students indicated the excitement for theater at Sherwood. “The turnout was great,” said Kominski. “It was about the size of a musical audition, which is usually bigger than the spring play.” She noted that the students seemed enthusiastic throughout the auditions.

Junior Mia Rohan, who is playing Daisy Buchanan (double cast with senior Emily Scholl), shared the anticipation of finally getting to stage “The Great Gatsby.” Rohan was motivated to audition after the show was canceled two years ago due to Covid-19, and she was cast as a police officer. “I am drawn to the complicated characters and fun scenarios,” said Rohan.

On March 7, the first practice was held. “Right off the bat from the first read through the energy was great!” said Rohan. She reminisced on how excited the cast was, and how enthusiastic they were about taking on their roles and to make “The Great Gatsby” an incredible production.

Senior Brooke Wheeler has a special role in this production as the “party singer.” Additionally, senior Taylor Hardy, has an important position as she has been assigned to choreograph dance numbers. Other prominent roles include Jay Gatsby who is double casted with seniors Luke Hanson and Steven Lawrence, Jordan portrayed by Kate Diuguid and Ali Weinrich, and Tom played by Ben Shoenberg.

A factor that makes this play even more special is that it was set about 100 years ago, at a time when the country was emerging from a flu pandemic that first began in 1918. Fitzgerald’s novel dramatizes a time when Americans were ready to party, sometimes recklessly, after enduring the difficult years of a world war and global pandemic. “The Great Gatsby” is in general a fitting play for the first one since the Covid-19 pandemic,” explained Kominski.

The return to Sherwood Theater and on-stage plays will bring high energy and excitement from anyone involved. The combination of a classic story set 100 years ago and a cast and crew with an excellent work ethic will provide for a wonderful spring play that you won’t want to miss.