UK Theatre and Dance brings Jazz Age to life with ‘The Great Gatsby’
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 30, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Department of Theatre and Dance will transport audiences to the roaring 1920s with its upcoming production of “The Great Gatsby.”
Directed and choreographed by Theatre and Dance Department Chair Susie Thiel, this stage reimagining of Fitzgerald's classic novel promises jazz, flappers and the glamour and tragedy of the American dream. The production, adapted by Simon Levy in the only version officially licensed by the F. Scott Fitzgerald estate, invites audiences to examine themes of success, ambition and the pursuit of happiness that remain as relevant today as when Fitzgerald first put them to the page.
“It has been especially rewarding to witness how the outstanding work happening in our faculty’s courses — across dance, acting and technical and design training — is directly fueling our students’ ability to bring productions to life,” said Thiel. “Whether performing on stage, designing lighting and costumes, or working behind the scenes, our students are applying their learning in meaningful, hands-on ways. The Department of Theatre and Dance continues to foster an environment where creativity and practical experience thrive.”
Performances will be in the Guignol Theatre in the Fine Arts Building, 465 Rose Street in Lexington, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9; Friday, April 10; and Saturday, April 11; a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12. Evening shows will resume at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, which will also include ASL-interpretation of the performance; and Saturday, April 18; and a final matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19.
Tickets are $28 for adults and $19 for students (additional fees may apply online) and are available online at singletarycenter.com, by phone at 859-257-4929 or by visiting the Singletary Center for the Arts Ticket Office in person, noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All ages are welcome.
During the ASL-interpreted performance April 17, interpreters will stand near the stage in an area providing optimal sight lines for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Following the April 11 performance, audiences are invited to stay for an open Q&A session with members of the cast and crew.
Free pre-show lectures — April 9 and 10
Prior to curtain on April 9 and 10, the Department of Theatre and Dance will host a free public lecture, 6-7 p.m. in the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library’s John Jacob Niles Gallery. Guest speaker Anne Margaret Daniel will discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald’s archival legacy, featuring high-resolution images and interpretive commentary. The event is open to the general public and requires no ticket.
Daniel is a writer and editor who teaches at The New School in New York City and at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson. More information about Daniel is available at annemargaretdaniel.com.
“The Great Gatsby” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (dramatists.com).
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.