Literature to Life Will Host Free THE GREAT GATSBY Performances in Paterson

Literature to Life (LTL) will be presenting two free performances of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald on April 23, 2026 at Passaic County Community College (PCCC) Founders Theater. Both performances are free and open to the public.

Literature to Life is a nonprofit, performance-based literacy organization that transforms American literary classics into professionally staged verbatim adaptations. With a roster of books by authors such as James Baldwin, Junot Díaz, and Kao Kalia Yang, LTL performs nationally in performing arts centers, schools, libraries, and correctional facilities.

The Great Gatsby tells the story of WWI veteran Nick Carraway as he is drawn into the world of his wealthy cousin Daisy, her domineering husband Tom, and their mysterious neighbor Jay Gatsby. Behind the dazzling parties and lavish lifestyles, Nick uncovers a story of obsession, betrayal, and longing; revealing the fragility of love and damaging pursuit of wealth. LTL's production, adapted and directed by Kelvin Grullon and starring Simon Rabatin, explores the tensions between, and treatments of, social class, gender, race, and the true cost of the American Dream.

LTL invites residents of Paterson and surrounding communities to attend the live performances at PCCC to witness this story come to life through one actor. Both performances will be accompanied by a pre- and post-show conversation led by Grullon. These conversations encourage audiences to engage in self-reflection and discovery, deepening their connection and understanding of the story. Each performance, including the discussions, will be 90 minutes long.

For up-to-date scheduling, registration, and more information, visit literaturetolife.org/booksunite.

“The novel continues to offer me a perspective on the dangers of being a bystander in your own life, said actor Simon Rabatin. “The novel is a lot more malleable than I had expected at the beginning of the process - the story continues to maintain its relevance in each iteration. 

It is exciting to be a part of the life-cycle of this story and finding the ways that the story changes when it is translated into a different medium!”

This program also offers a post-show interactive workshop the following week at PCCC Founders Theater on April 30 at 1:10PM. This workshop is intended to enhance participants' experiences of the performances, allowing them to relate the material to their own lives and explore the themes through a wider lens. Snacks will be provided.

This program is part of Books Unite: Literature to Life in Paterson, a yearlong series of free community events, bringing literature to life through performances, book clubs, and interactive workshops designed to engage community members in powerful stories and shared conversation.