The production 'Gatz,' presented by the New York theatre company Elevator Repair Service, showcases an eight-and-a-half hour performance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, 'The Great Gatsby.' Unlike traditional adaptations, the performers do not interpret the text but rather read it aloud in its entirety, drawing the audience into a deep and immersive experience. As the play progresses, the audience members witness their colleagues in characters from the novel, creating a sense of collective storytelling and nostalgia for literature.

This theatrical experiment reflects a growing interest in presenting non-dramatic texts in a live format, inviting audiences to engage with well-known literature in a new way. The experience blurs the lines between reading, listening, and watching, resembling an extraordinary audiobook or a live radio play. The format elicits a range of emotions, from joy to contemplation, as the audience becomes part of the unfolding narrative, connecting them to the text in an intimate manner

Though the production challenges conventional forms of theater, it succeeds in evoking a shared sense of appreciation for Fitzgerald's work. Such performances not only celebrate literary classics but also reinvent the engagement of modern audiences with literature, suggesting that there are endless possibilities for the interpretation and appreciation of written works beyond their original formats.