The Great War & The Great Gatsby
“A 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.”
— Broadway World
Historian and narrator John Monsky’s groundbreaking journey through World War I, The Great War & The Great Gatsby, is equal parts concert, suspense, drama, romance, tribute and exhibition of rare and iconic images and film from the National Archives. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, which marked the 100th anniversary of its publication in April of 2025, is a starting point as Monsky guides the audience through the war’s 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.
In the Spring of 2025 Monsky returned to Carnegie Hall with a bold re-envisioning of his critically acclaimed production. Directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), this newly reimagined production brought fresh insights, newly uncovered research, and additional musical selections to create a vivid and emotionally powerful exploration of World War I.
The stellar 2025 cast included Adam Chanler-Berat (Next to Normal), Nicholas Christopher (Hamilton), Micaela Diamond (Parade), Gracie McGraw (OWN’s “If Loving You Is Wrong”), and Diego Andres Rodriguez (Sunset Boulevard). Ian Weinberger (Hamilton) served as music supervisor, conductor, and arranger. Previous iterations of this program included Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen), Stephanie Jae Park (Hamilton), Kate Rockwell (Mean Girls), Nicholas Rodriguez (Company), and Daniel Yearwood (Hamilton).
The performances of The Great War & The Great Gatsby (2025) were 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 “Catalyzing American Achievement,” one of Griffin Catalyst’s six priority areas is Freedom & Democracy, core ideas enshrined in John Monsky’s creative work at American History Unbound.
Praise for The Great War & The Great Gatsby
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage/2023
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“One of the great storytellers of this nation..”
— Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1 -
“.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....”
— Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News) -
“With 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.”
— Katie Couric -
“A 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.”
— Broadway World -
“...an immersive musical experience....”
— The Messenger -
“Through 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.”
— Theater Pizzazz
Praise for The Great War & The Great Gatsby
“One of the great storytellers of this nation..”
Cheryl Wills, Author and Anchor, NY1
“.... wonderful... amazing (that) you learn so many new things through (this) show in such an engaging way. It's really compelling....”
Cindy Hsu (CBS/Channel 2 News)
“With 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.”
Katie Couric
“A 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.”
Broadway World
“...an immersive musical experience....”
The Messenger
“Through 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.”
Theater Pizzazz
Carnegie Hall | 2025
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage | Featuring Adam Chanler-Berat, Nicholas Christopher, Micaela Diamond, Gracie McGraw and Diego Rodriguez.
Carnegie Hall | 2023
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage | Featuring Kristolyn Lloyd, Stephanie Jae Park, Kate Rockwell, Nicholas Rodriguez and Daniel Yearwood.
Behind the Scenes at Carneige Hall | 2023
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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 Shaw’s 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 HBOmax’s “Gossip Girl,” “Veep," “Elementary," "The Good Wife," “Doubt," "The Code," “NCIS: Nola,” and “Soundtrack." As a writer, Adam’s 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 Christopher starred as George Washington in the Broadway production of Hamilton, and most recently took over as the role of Seymour in Little Shop Of Horrors on Broadway. Previously, Christopher starred in the 2024 Encores! production of Jelly’s Last Jam as the titular role of Jelly Roll Morton. In 2023, Christopher starred in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd as Pirelli, performing opposite Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. During this time, he also starred as the lead role of Sweeney Todd for multiple performances. Christopher 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 ‘Babe’, the youngest Cher, in The Cher Show. Other appearances include Sondheim's final musical, Here We Are, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, Leonard Bernstein’s opera Mass at the Kennedy Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Row, and Ethan Coen’s A Play Is A Poem in Los Angeles. In TV and film, most recently Micaela appeared as series regular “Sister Megan Duval” in Ryan Murphy’s GROTESQUERIE. Additional credits include CBS Studio’s ELSBETH, NBC’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE, Netflix and Lin-Manuel Miranda's TICK, TICK…BOOM!, 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 Rodriguez can currently be seen on stage as the lead role of ‘Che’ in Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed production of EVITA on the West End. He was previously seen on stage in Lloyd’s production of SUNSET BLVD on Broadway. His upbringing in the vibrant border land of South Texas has greatly influenced his artistic journey, identity, and sense of community. Rodriguez is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan’s musical theater program.