Bringing Gatsby back to the Gold Coast

The Sea Cliff Civic Association brought the Roaring Twenties to life at the Great Gatsby Gala held at Foster Restaurant on Aug. 13. The event, which drew nearly 70 attendees, was a lively celebration of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic novel, “The Great Gatsby.” Guests donned period costumes and were treated to an evening of jazz, drama, and literary nostalgia.

The event featured live music by the North Shore Jazz Quartet, whose renditions of jazz classics set the perfect tone for the evening. Solos by vocalists Heidi Hunt, Patti Dunham, and Joe Stroppel added to the night’s authentic 1920s ambiance.

The highlight of the evening was a performance of “Murder on the West Egg,” a playlet co-written by Fred Stroppel and Dan DiPietro. The production introduced a bumbling detective character, inspired by the classic Columbo archetype, who guided the audience through a humorous investigation set in the opulent world of West Egg.

“The idea for this goes back to 2019 when Dan and I hosted a Gatsby party on our porch,” said Ann DiPietro, president of the Sea Cliff Civic Association. “It took us a while to reimagine it for a larger audience, but I’m glad we did it. Fred Stroppel worked his magic, and the audience loved it.”

The gala also included two rounds of Gatsby-themed trivia, with dinner served in between. Guests’ knowledge of Fitzgerald’s masterpiece was tested in a friendly competition that added an extra layer of fun to the evening.

“It was really terrific and surpassed my expectations,” said attendee Carol Vogt. “The music and singing were first-rate, and the costumes worn by the cast and guests, together with the music, helped create the feeling of being back in time.”

The DiPietros shared that the connection to “The Great Gatsby” was more than just the local Gold Coast setting; the story resonates with themes of ambition, class, and the American Dream, which still hold relevance today.

“For me, it’s a story about America,” Dan explained. “It’s about the American dream and what it means; wealth, and class—a powerful combination that drew us right in.”

Although the event was not a fundraiser, the DiPietros said that it fulfilled the civic association’s mission of bringing the community together. “

So many of the Civic Association events are either free or just cover expenses,” said Ann. “This was another opportunity to gather people together, much like our James Joyce Jaunt and Scrooge Stroll.”

With the evening’s success, the Sea Cliff Civic Association is planning ahead to next year’s event, which will commemorate the centennial of “The Great Gatsby’s” publication.