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This preview performance of The Great Gatsby, written in 1924 is a deeply moving and honest portrayal of class, racism, and prejudice in American society. In what was originally titled, Under the Red White and Blue, F. Scott Fitzgerald painted a vivid picture of how the quest for the American dream in the absence of true equality can lead to devastating effects. This timely story reveals a culture where success seems to be defined only by wealth, obsession masquerades as love, and prejudice is used as a weapon to bolster one’s fragile sense of self. The story centers around a “self-made” Jay Gatsby, a man from a working-class background, who had previously fallen in love with wealthy heiress, Daisy Buchanan. After returning from his military service he finds that Daisy had married blue-blood, Tom Buchanan. Gatsby, determined to win her back, does whatever it takes to reinvent himself into the man he thinks Daisy will want.
Aquila Theatre’s Desiree Sanchez is creating a new theatrical adaptation that will speak to how this book resonates within our current culture. With its clever and impactful designs, superb actors and insightful direction, Aquila’s production of The Great Gatsby is sure to be the must see show of the season. The New Yorker has raved that Aquila Theatre productions are beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and crystalline in effect, and The New York Theatre Guide states of Ms. Sanchez’s more recent productions: Desiree Sanchez has masterfully crafted yet another piece of theatrical genius. Her direction is polished and laser sharp. She gets the maximum amount of potential out of every stage moment, has exceptional attention to detail, and is a demiurge of direction.
Aquila Theatre Company was founded in London by Peter Meineck in 1991 with a production of Aeschylus’s Agamemnon at the Bridge Lane Theatre in London before touring in the United States to a few universities. The company, along with its founder moved to the United States in 1994, and in 1998, Aquila Theatre became a U.S. based non-profit theatre company. It went on to build up an extensive international touring circuit while becoming an established part of the New York City theater scene with its productions of Iliad: Book One at the Clark Studio at Lincoln Center, followed by long running Off-Broadway productions of Comedy of Errors and Much Ado About Nothing. Aquila has also had the pleasure of working with the acclaimed Olympia Dukakis and Louis Zorich in its 2004 production of Agamemnon.
Aquila is now one of the foremost producers of classical theater in the United States visiting 50 – 60 American cities per year with a program of two plays, workshops and educational programming, and is under the Artistic Directorship of Desiree Sanchez since 2012. The company has been awarded numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Humanities, from which it received a Chairman’s Special Award, the New York State Councils for the Arts and Humanities, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Aquila has performed at the White House under the Bush and Obama administrations, and has performed for the U.S Supreme Court and for the National Council on the Arts. Aquila was also recently invited by Lin-Manuel Miranda to perform at the U.S. Capitol in support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, for its groundbreaking theatre and humanities program: The Warrior Chorus.
Free parking is available in the RiverCenter Parking Garage which is located directly across the street from the RiverCenter on Broadway. The parking garage has a total of 685 spaces with 13 handicap accessible spaces. Additional street parking is available around the block of the RiverCenter. There are 8 handicap accessible spaces on Broadway and a total of 62 parking spaces around the RiverCenter.
RiverCenter is fully ADA compliant. If you have special needs or need wheelchair accessible seating, please contact the box office to reserve seating and assistance in advance.
The photographing or sound recording of any Hall-sponsored performance, or the possession of any such photographic or recording equipment inside this theater, without prior permission, is prohibited.
All ages welcome.
January 15, 2022 @ 7:30 pm
Tours of RiverCenter for the Performing Arts are available with advanced notice.
During this tour, volunteer guides will describe what led to the creation of RiverCenter, facts about the construction of the facility and point out areas of interest. Guests will be given a tour of the Studio Theatre, Legacy Hall and Bill Heard Theatre, based on availability of these theatres.
TO SCHEDULE A TOUR, PLEASE CONTACT US AT (706) 256-3620.
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All of our venues are available to rent and have hosted a variety of events ranging from live performances with national touring companies and orchestral concerts, to local dance productions and community theater groups.
Elegant dinners have been held on our stages and on multiple levels of our Grand Lobby.
Amaze your guests with the dramatics of our theatrical environment.
Please arrive to the RiverCenter at least 30 minutes before showtime.
STREET PARKING
On-street parking is available on 9th and 10th Streets, with handicap spaces on Broadway in front of RiverCenter
RIVERCENTER PARKING GARAGE
The RiverCenter Parking Garage is open 24 hours a day. Parking is free to the public with the exception of the marked and reserved spaces. Violators parking in marked and reserved spaces will be ticketed.
THE RIVERCENTER PARKING GARAGE IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
NEITHER RIVERCENTER NOR THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEFT, LOSS, DAMAGE OF PROPERTY OR ANY INCIDENTS WITHIN THE GARAGE; PARK AT YOU OWN RISK.