
The Great War & The Great Gatsby
Following his sold-out 2023 performance of The Great War & The Great Gatsby, historian and narrator John Monsky returns to Carnegie Hall this spring with a bold re-envisioning of his critically acclaimed production. Performances will take place on Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), this newly reimagined productionâequal parts concert, suspense, drama, romance, tribute, and exhibition of rare and iconic images and film from the National Archivesâbrings fresh insights, newly uncovered research, and additional musical selections to create a vivid and emotionally powerful journey for this musical and visual exploration of World War I.
A stellar cast has been assembled for this production, including Adam Chanler-Berat (Next to Normal), Nicholas Christopher (Hamilton), Micaela Diamond (Parade), Gracie McGraw (OWNâs âIf Loving You Is Wrongâ), and Diego Andres Rodriguez (Sunset Boulevard). Ian Weinberger (Hamilton) will serve as music supervisor, conductor, and arranger.
The performances of The Great War & The Great Gatsby will be filmed for a televised event, thanks to the generous support of Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin and his civic engagement initiative Griffin Catalyst. With the aim of âCatalyzing American Achievement,â one of Griffin Catalystâs six priority areas is Freedom & Democracy, core ideas enshrined in John Monskyâs creative work at American History Unbound.
F. Scott Fitzgeraldâs The Great Gatsby, which marks the 100th anniversary of its publication this month, is a starting point as Monsky guides the audience through the warâs origins and its harrowing climax during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, as seen through the wartime experiences of both fictional and real-life figures:
- WWI veterans Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway
- Combat pilot Quentin Roosevelt, the son of President Theodore Roosevelt
- Soldier and music pioneer, Harlem Hellfighter, James Reese Europe
- Author Vera Brittain, a young nurse who loses everything in the war, except her determination to end all wars
- Charles Whittlesey, a shy New York lawyer leading a melting pot of soldiers trapped under fire in the Meuse-Argonne Forest
- New York debutante Flora Payne Whitney
- And Cher Ami, a homing pigeon who becomes an unlikely symbol of American resolve and fortitude.
NOW ON SALE: Tickets for The Great War & The Great Gatsby at Carnegie Hall on April 21 & April 22

Praise for The Great War & The Great Gatsby
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage/2023
-
âOne of the great storytellers of this nation..â
â Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1 -
â.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....â
â Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News) -
âWith his signature talent of connecting us to the past and masterful storytelling, John weaves together music, archival images, material culture, and meticulously researched accounts of those who bore witness to pivotal moments of WWI.â
â Katie Couric -
âA magnificent piece of historical documentation brought to life by state- of-the-art visual technology. I am sure there was not a dry eye left in the house by the end of this one-of-a-kind, deeply moving work of art.â
â Broadway World -
â...an immersive musical experience....â
â The Messenger -
âThrough the atrocities of violence and nations being taken by other nations, these songs have led us to survive. With music brilliantly sung, it was affirmed that we can get through anything.â
â Theater Pizzazz
Praise for The Great War & The Great Gatsby
âOne of the great storytellers of this nation..â
Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1
â.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....â
Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News)
âWith his signature talent of connecting us to the past and masterful storytelling, John weaves together music, archival images, material culture, and meticulously researched accounts of those who bore witness to pivotal moments of WWI.â
Katie Couric
âA magnificent piece of historical documentation brought to life by state- of-the-art visual technology. I am sure there was not a dry eye left in the house by the end of this one-of-a-kind, deeply moving work of art.â
Broadway World
â...an immersive musical experience....â
The Messenger
âThrough the atrocities of violence and nations being taken by other nations, these songs have led us to survive. With music brilliantly sung, it was affirmed that we can get through anything.â
Theater Pizzazz
ON STAGE
BEHIND THE SCENES
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Adam Chanler-Berat

Adam Chanler-Berat originated roles on Broadway in Next to Normal, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Amelie, as well as starring in the 2018 Broadway revival of Shawâs Saint Joan. Off-Broadway credits include The Jonathan Larson Project, I Can Get it for You Wholesale, Assassins, Fortress of Solitude (Lortel Nom.), Rent, Fly by Night, How to Load a Musket, Nantucket Sleigh Ride, Zorba, and Titanic. Regional credits include A New Brain (Barrington Stage), Sunday in the Park with George (Huntington) and The Year to Come (La Jolla Playhouse.) He starred alongside Vince Vaughn in the Dreamworks film Delivery Man and has appeared on television in HBOmaxâs âGossip Girl,â âVeep," âElementary," "The Good Wife," âDoubt," "The Code," âNCIS: Nola,â and âSoundtrack." As a writer, Adamâs work has been developed by Barrington Stage Company, the Civilians, New York Stage and Film, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Ars Nova, Classic Stage Company, and MCC. Adam is a proud founding member of the social justice-minded theater collective The Commissary.
Nicholas Christopher

Born in Bermuda and raised in Boston, Nicholas starred as âGeorge Washingtonâ in the Broadway production of Hamilton, and most recently took over as the role of âSeymourâ in Little Shop Of Horrors on Broadway. Previously, Nicholas starred in the 2024 Encores! production of Jellyâs Last Jam as the titular role of âJelly Roll Morton.â In 2023, Nicholas starred in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd as âPirelli,â performing opposite Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. During this time, he also starred as the lead role of âSweeney Toddâ for multiple performances. Nicholas studied at the Juilliard School and The Boston Conservatory, where he cultivated his unique range as both an actor and a singer. Select theater and TV credits include Miss Saigon, Lazarus (with David Bowie), Hurt Village (Katori Hall), and Rent, All Rise (CBS), United States of Al (CBS) and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (FX).
Micaela Diamond

Micaela Diamond is a Tony and Grammy Award-nominated actor for her star turn as Lucille Frank in Parade on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut as âBabe,â the youngest Cher, in The Cher Show. Other appearances include Sondheim's final musical, Here We Are, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, Leonard Bernsteinâs opera Mass at the Kennedy Center, Williamstown Theatre Festivalâs Row, and Ethan Coenâs A Play Is A Poem in Los Angeles. In TV and film, most recently, Micaela appeared as series regular âSister Megan Duvalâ in Ryan Murphyâs GROTESQUERIE. Additional credits include CBS Studioâs ELSBETH, NBCâs JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE, Netflix, and Lin-Manuel Miranda's TICK, TICKâŚBOOM!, and UP HERE on Hulu. Diamond grew up in New York City and is a graduate of LaGuardia Arts High School in New York.
Gracie McGraw

Gracie McGraw, a New York based performer/actress, most recently starred in The New Group's production of BABE opposite Marissa Tomei and Arliss Howard. She can be seen starring in the upcoming Feature Film, Tox, opposite Margaret Colin, and Directed by Kerri Lynn Miller.
On television, Gracie recurred on the hit OWN series, If Loving You is Wrong, created and written by Tyler Perry. She received critical acclaim from her sold out solo concerts at Chelsea Table & Stage and Joe's Pub at The Public Theater.
A Nashville native, Gracie has been immersed in live performance her entire life, and always knew that one day she would be on the stage. After performing regionally, she relocated to Los Angeles. While on the West Coast, Gracie began to miss her first love, theatre, and felt the pull to come back to New York City, where she has been furthering her career ever since.
Diego Andres Rodriguez

Diego Andres Rodriguez (he/him) can currently be seen on Broadway in Sunset Blvd., directed by Jamie Lloyd. Actor and writer from McAllen, Texas, his upbringing in the vibrant borderland has heavily influenced his artistry. MT24, Go Blue! For my family! @_diegorodz_