by Ezabelle Janssen, Senior Staff Writer

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — From lavish parties and sparkling costumes to heartfelt performances and an ambitious set, Theatre in the Pass invites audiences into the roaring 1920s with its upcoming production of The Great Gatsby. 

Opening this week at the Randolph Community Center, the teen production brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic story to life with live music, elaborate scenery, quick costume changes, and a cast made up largely of first-time Theatre in the Pass performers. After auditions in May, the cast and crew have spent the past two months transforming the stage into Gatsby’s extravagant world. 

Director Paige Ladner said what began as an exciting challenge quickly became the theater’s most ambitious production yet. 

“When I picked this play, I knew the set was going to be a lot, but I didn’t know it was going to be this much,” Ladner said. 

As ideas grew, so did the production. “The flats that are designed were done at my house over multiple weeks. I learned how to paint during that time from professional artist Robyn Tomasovsky. It was absolutely amazing,” Ladner explained. Props were sourced from thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace, while many costumes were custom-made. “We had a very generous mom make the drop dresses. They bought some, and she made them exactly what my vision was.” 

Despite the scale of the production, Ladner credits the cast and crew for bringing everything together. “My stage manager, Marcella, has been amazing,” she said. “If I mention something that needs to be done, somebody jumps on it immediately. We’ve had a really great team.” 

This year’s production also introduces several new faces to Theatre in the Pass. 

Among them is 17-year-old Peyton Havelin, who stars as narrator Nick Carraway. Although the role marks his first full-length play, Havelin has years of performance experience through band and show choir at Pass Christian High School. “It’s been great. I’ve loved every second of it,” Havelin expressed.

Taking on Nick has allowed him to explore a character he believes is often misunderstood. “I think Nick is far more introspective than people realize,” he said. “It’s been really fun getting to embody that.” 

Havelin said audiences will quickly see the dedication everyone has poured into the production. “Our directors are awesome, our sets are amazing, and it’s just a great show,” he said. 

Playing the mysterious Jay Gatsby is Pass Christian senior Alex Bosarge, who said stepping into the iconic role pushed him outside his comfort zone. “In my previous theater experience, I’ve played characters very similar to me,” Bosarge explained. “With Gatsby, I’ve had to work a lot harder to become someone completely different.” 

Between frequent costume changes and portraying one of literature’s most recognizable characters, Bosarge said the challenge has been rewarding. “I think the joy and camaraderie between the cast, crew, and our director really comes out on stage,” he said. “You can tell when people enjoyed creating something.” 

Also making her Theatre in the Pass debut as Daisy Buchanan is Stella Huffman, who has spent years dancing but never appeared in a stage play before auditioning. “I thought I’d just have fun with my friends,” Huffman said. “Now I’ve really gotten into it. I’ve made so many new friends through this.” 

She said portraying Daisy has become one of her favorite parts of the experience. “She’s such a complicated character,” Huffman said. “I love playing her.” 

For Ladner, watching newcomers embrace theater has been one of the most rewarding parts of directing. “Most of this cast is completely new, and they’ve had so much fun. I really hope they come back.” 

The production is Theatre in the Pass’s second teen show and one of its most technically demanding, featuring live music, elaborate scene changes, detailed backdrops, and period costumes that immerse audiences in Gatsby’s world of wealth, romance, and ambition. 

The Great Gatsby will be performed on July 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. and on July 18 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Randolph Community Center, 315 Clark Ave. Tickets are $20 and are available at https://passmainstreet.com/theatreinthepass-2/, on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/theatreinthepass/, at https://theatreinthepass.ludus.com/, and at the door.

(Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)