Cabaret Theatre hosts Irwin reading of new 'Gatsby'-inspired musical

It’s widely accepted in the literary world that writer F. Scott Fitzgerald stole ideas and actual words from his wife, Zelda — including lines that went into his widely acclaimed novel, “The Great Gatsby.”

Two Westmoreland County theater veterans have imagined Zelda Fitzgerald’s role in the creation of the novel in a new musical, “Gatsby Z.”

Lyricist John Carosella and composer Eugene Dangelo, along with the Cabaret Theatre, will present a free sing-through of their new work at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Irwin Moose Lodge, 530 Oak St.

The action takes place in the course of a day in a psychiatric clinic where Zelda is a patient, said Carosella of Hempfield, founder and artistic director of the Cabaret Theatre. In fact, Zelda Fitzgerald was confined for long periods in mental health facilities and died in a 1948 fire at a North Carolina hospital.

“It’s an experiment. We hope people enjoy it,” Carosella said.

In the musical, Zelda talks with her aide, Anthony, while awaiting a visit from her husband.

“In the meantime, she imagines that she sees the character of Nick Carroway, who narrates ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ” Carosella said. “The whole story of the novel is told through her perspective.”

As Zelda immerses herself in the story, she takes on the character of Daisy Buchanan, the love interest of the novel’s title character.

“She’ll come out of her straitjacket or wheelchair, whatever the director decides, and enter the scene as Daisy,” Carosella said. “She moves back and forth between the two characters, but Anthony doesn’t see her visions.”

As a former English teacher, Carosella said, it was a daunting task to adapt a novel he had taught many times.

“I knew how well it was written, and it worried me just a bit to have to match the caliber of writing as I retold the story through the character of Zelda,” he said.

Advancing the plot

Greensburg resident Dangelo is a freelance composer and arranger and retired music educator from area public and private schools and universities.

“I have been composing for most of my career as a musician, so the technical aspects of doing it were not new to me. But the most difficult thing for me to do was to ensure that the music enhanced the lyrics that John provided and furthered the plot in the bargain,” Dangelo said. “I’m fortunate in that John gave me good lyrics to work with.”

Among the songs is “Zelda’s Dream,” which foreshadows her death.

“It was exciting for me to write that particular piece of music because, if you listen closely, you can hear the cascading sirens and the clanging bells of firetrucks rushing to the scene,” Dangelo said.

The sing-through will be accompanied by music Dangelo has recorded.

The role of Zelda will be sung by Rachel Nicely of Latrobe. Anthony will be played by Aaron Mykel Gray of Greensburg.

Other performers in the sing-through include Nate Newell of Lower Burrell; Rob Jessup, Jerry Woodling and Jennifer Woodling, all of Delmont; Becky Ziegler Koch, Justin Williams, Nicole Paluzzi and Peggy Bryan, all of Greensburg; David Seremet, Tom Sarp and Francine Mitchell, all of Latrobe; and Tina Lepidi-Stewart of North Huntingdon. Stage manager is Cori Beredino of Hostetter.

Carosella and Dangelo have collaborated on several other theatrical projects, including a children’s musical called “Mooncheese,” but “Gatsby Z” is the first one to be presented in a public forum. They worked on it for about two years.

Carosella said he hopes the presentation will encourage other area theater companies to create new works.

“Our area is blessed with a lot of theater companies, but we don’t always have a forum for new work,” he said.

The program consists of two acts of about an hour each, along with a 20-minute intermission, Carosella said.

Light refreshments will be served, and a cash bar will be available. Audience members will be asked to give their opinions of the show during a post-performance question-and-answer session or via email to jcabaret@comcast.net.

To ensure adequate refreshments are available, those planning to attend are asked to reserve at the above email address or by calling 724-527-7775.