Valley Players present ‘Gatsby’ in radio play format, Oct. 7-23

Oct. 1, 2022  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

The Valley Players cast members rehearse a scene from 'The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play,' which opens Oct. 7 in Waitsfield. Left to right: Tom Jaques, David Rapp, Marci Robinson, Sarah Debouter, and Aric Brown. ourtesy photo

The curtain goes up next Friday on The Valley Players’ fall production, “The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play,” on stage through Oct. 23 at the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield. 

Performances are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. 

Styled as a 1940s live radio broadcast, the show’s ensemble of six actors bring to life more than two dozen characters from the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. And true to the format, sound effects will be created live on stage and the show will be punctuated by 40s-era commercials. 

The show was adapted for the stage by Joe Landry and, like the original, it tells the story of triumph, tragedy, the decadence of the Jazz Age and the perils of the American Dream. 

The cast includes Aric Brown of Middlesex as Jay Gatsby, Sarah Debouter of Waterbury as Daisy Buchanan and others; Tom Jaques of Barre is Tom Buchanan and others; David Rapp of Montpelier as Nick Carraway; and Charlotte Robinson and Marci Robinson, both of Warren, playing multiple roles. 

Marci Robinson, Aric Brown, and Sarah Debouter rehearse ahead of 'The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play.' Courtesy photo

The show’s foley artist is Kohl Comtesse of Montpelier using an arsenal of props to create the sounds needed to embellish the story. Stage Managers are Ashley Hall of Warren and Susan Loynd of Fayston.

Doug Bergstein of Warren built the 1940s radio studio set. Musical accompaniment is composed by Kevin Connors and performed by Daniel Bruce of East Montpelier. The director is Shannon Sanborn of Barre. 

“The audience can expect to be swept back into the golden age of radio,  Sanborn said. “Don’t miss your chance to experience what it was like to be in a 1940s studio audience.”

Tickets are available in advance online at valleyplayers.com or by calling 802-583-1674. 

At this time, proof of COVID-19 vaccination and masks are not required. The Valley Players will continue to follow recommended Vermont state guidelines at the time of the show.

The cast (left to right): Kohl Comtess (Montpelier) as Rose Foley, sound effects artist; Charlotte Robinson (Warren) as Gatsby's butler, a policeman, and others; David Rapp (Montpelier) as Nick Carraway; Marci Robinson as Jordan Baker and others; Sarah Debouter (Waterbury) as Daisy Buchanan and others; Aric Brown (Middlesex) as Jay Gatsby; and Tom Jacques (Barre) as Tom Buchanan and others.