Marlborough and Hudson Residents to Star in The Great Gatsby

MOONSTRUCK THEATER COMPANY, in association with Amazing Things Art Center of Framingham, is pleased to present the regional premiere of the American classic THE GREAT GATSBY, opening Friday, October 24, and running for seven performances through Sunday, November 2.

THE GREAT GATSBY, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age fable of doomed love and careless wealth, will be presented live on stage as you have never seen it before. This exciting new version, reinterpreted for the stage by Simon Levy, brings the American classic to life through the music of the era. Song and dance from the 1920s will accompany Levy’s exhilarating script to create an immersive theatrical experience.

THE GREAT GATSBY features 15 performers from the Boston and Metro West regions, including Marlborough residents, Jon McCauley, Shannon Hinkley, and Nick McKinnon who play Tom Buchanan, Mrs. Michaelis, and George Wilson, respectively, and Hudson residents, Danielle Aucoin and Jason Faria, members of the West Egg Quartet, a jazz group that helps narrate the story through music and dance.

McCauley has been a thespian since middle school and THE GREAT GATSBY marks his seventh production with Moonstruck. Other favorite roles include Curly in Oklahoma, “Who doesn’t like to be the romantic lead?” he says, “I also really enjoyed being Glen Gulia in The Wedding Singer [with Moonstruck], because it’s fun to play the villain and be a jerk on stage when it’s really the opposite of who I am off it.” McCauley works in affiliate marketing and is an accomplished opera singer.

For Hinkley this has been a passion project. “I was an English major in college and spent a lot of time analyzing and dissecting the book; you can say I have a special place in my heart for the story!” Hinkley says. When not performing, Shannon works full-time as a client service Relationship Advisor for Silicon Valley Bank out of Newton, MA and spends time with her rescue pup, Hudson.

McKinnon took the dive into theater back in 2010 with Moonstruck’s production of Urinetown: the Muscial. “THE GREAT GATSBY is a very well known story, with powerful and motivated characters that is very exciting to be a part of. On the surface, all of the characters seem to be cut from the same cloth. Then, as you slowly discover each of their passions and goals and what drives them throughout the show, it becomes evident how incredibly different they each are,” McKinnon explains, “The interplay and conflict is incredible, and everyone who comes to see it will feel every emotion with them, from nostalgia to rage to sadness to elation.” McKinnon is an electrical engineer, but travels the world for his company.

“I had read THE GREAT GATSBY in high school and have seen the films as well,” says Aucoin, “We have a very talented cast, all of whom have many different skill sets as performers. The production showcases these talents and truly makes this production an original take on a well-known story.”

Faria has found both working on such an iconic piece of fiction and making it seem fresh and new to be a delightful challenge. “This show is unique because it is very different artistically than many other shows that I’ve been in. We aren’t doing a pre-existing musical version of THE GREAT GATSBY - we are taking an already existing play and adding music and other elements to the show that are completely our own. The audience should see this show for a one-of-a-kind experience because, in reality, they cannot actually find this version anywhere else!”

Aucoin has been involved in theater since middle school; notable favorite past roles include Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical: The Musical and Mrs. Totendale in The Drowsy Chaperone. Faria’s theatrical career began at age eight, with a production of Peter Pan, and has continued on ever since; he cites playing Moritz in Spring Awakening as one of his favorite and most challenging roles. Aucoin and Faria are both recent graduates of Plymouth State University, both receiving a B.A. in Musical Theatre.

The show is directed by Matthew Sherman, music directed by Samantha Prindiville, and choreographed by Caroline Fonseca. The production will be presented at Amazing Things Art Center, 160 Hollis St, Framingham, MA.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $24 for senior citizens and students, $21 for Amazing Things Members, and $13 for children 12 and under. For tickets, reservations, and more information, visit www.moonstrucktheater.org or call 508-405-ARTS (2787).

Student Rush tickets for $10 are available at matinee performances for all students and educators with a valid student/educator ID; group tickets of 10 or more Student Rush tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the box office and individual Student Rush tickets may be purchased at the door.