The Great Gatsby
Tampa

The Straz Center — Where Tampa Bay Meets the Roaring Twenties

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts occupies a commanding nine-acre campus along the eastern bank of the Hillsborough River, making it a cultural landmark that anchors downtown Tampa's thriving arts corridor. Since opening in 1987 as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the complex has grown into the largest performing arts venue in the entire southeastern United States, encompassing five distinct theater spaces and welcoming more than 700,000 visitors annually. Carol Morsani Hall serves as the flagship auditorium, its 2,610-seat configuration and world-class technical infrastructure making it the natural home for major touring Broadway productions that demand both scale and sophistication.

Hosting The Great Gatsby inside Carol Morsani Hall creates a theatrical experience that few venues in Florida can match. The hall's expansive proscenium stage provides ample room for Paul Tate de Poo III's multilayered scenic and projection designs, which shift seamlessly between the opulent interiors of Gatsby's mansion, the sun-drenched docks of West Egg, and the haunting industrial wasteland of the Valley of Ashes. The Straz Center's advanced rigging systems and digital projection capabilities ensure that every visual transition unfolds with cinematic precision, immersing audiences in the world of 1920s Long Island from the first downbeat to the final curtain call.

Tampa's connection to the Gatsby narrative runs deeper than mere geography. The city's own history of extravagant wealth built during the cigar boom of the early twentieth century mirrors the novel's themes of self-invention and conspicuous prosperity. Ybor City's ornate architecture and the grand hotels along Bayshore Boulevard echo the same era of ambition and excess that Fitzgerald immortalized in his fiction. Attending The Great Gatsby at the Straz Center places audiences at the intersection of Tampa's own gilded heritage and the show's exploration of American aspiration, creating resonance that audiences in other cities simply cannot replicate.

The January 2027 engagement spans eight performances from Monday the 19th through Saturday the 24th, offering both evening and matinee options throughout the week. This midwinter timing positions the run perfectly for Tampa Bay's peak cultural season, when snowbirds from northern states join local residents in seeking premium indoor entertainment. The Straz Center's location along the Tampa Riverwalk — a 2.6-mile waterfront promenade connecting museums, parks, restaurants, and hotels — ensures that every performance becomes part of a complete evening out in one of Florida's most walkable downtown districts. Pre-show dining options abound within steps of the venue, from upscale waterfront restaurants to casual bistros lining the Riverwalk path.

Linda Cho's costume designs earned the 2024 Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical, and the touring production preserves every sequined detail of her Jazz Age wardrobe. From Gatsby's immaculate white suits to the shimmering flapper gowns that fill the party scenes, the visual richness of the costumes alone justifies the price of admission. Combined with Cory Pattak's atmospheric lighting design and Brian Ronan's crystalline sound engineering, the production at Carol Morsani Hall promises a sensory feast that honors both Fitzgerald's literary legacy and the highest standards of contemporary musical theater craft.

How To Get The Great Gatsby Tampa Tickets

Where can I buy tickets for The Great Gatsby in Tampa? Tickets are available through the Straz Center box office and its official ticketing partners for face-value purchases. For sold-out performances or premium seating options, BigStub offers verified resale Great Gatsby Tampa tickets with transparent pricing and a buyer guarantee that protects every transaction.

What dates does The Great Gatsby play at the Straz Center? The production runs for eight performances from Monday, January 19 through Saturday, January 24, 2027. The schedule includes evening performances throughout the week with matinee options on select days, providing flexibility for audiences with varying schedules and preferences.

How much do Great Gatsby Tampa tickets cost? Pricing varies based on seating location within Carol Morsani Hall and the specific performance date. Orchestra center seats typically command the highest prices, while mezzanine and balcony sections offer more affordable alternatives with excellent sightlines thanks to the hall's well-designed rake and tiered configuration.

What is the best way to reach the Straz Center? The Straz Center is located at 1010 North Macinnes Place in downtown Tampa, easily accessible from Interstate 275 and Interstate 4. On-site parking garages accommodate theatergoers arriving by car, while the Tampa Riverwalk provides pedestrian access from surrounding hotels and restaurants. Rideshare drop-off areas are conveniently located near the main entrance for those using Uber or Lyft.

Are group discounts available for The Great Gatsby in Tampa? The Straz Center offers group sales programs for parties of ten or more, with dedicated coordinators who can arrange preferred seating blocks and simplified billing. Groups interested in attending should contact the Straz Center's group sales department directly for availability and pricing specific to The Great Gatsby engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Great Gatsby in Tampa

What is The Great Gatsby musical about?

The Great Gatsby musical adapts F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic 1925 novel into a sweeping theatrical experience with an original score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen. The story follows mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby as he throws extravagant parties at his Long Island mansion in a desperate bid to reunite with his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Narrated by Gatsby's neighbor Nick Carraway, the musical explores themes of wealth, obsession, class, and the fragility of the American Dream against the glittering backdrop of the Roaring Twenties.

Who stars in the touring production of The Great Gatsby?

The national tour features Jake David Smith as Jay Gatsby, Senzel Ahmady as Daisy Buchanan, and Joshua Grosso as Nick Carraway. Leanne Robinson portrays Jordan Baker, Will Branner plays Tom Buchanan, and the ensemble includes Lila Coogan as Myrtle Wilson and Tally Sessions as George Wilson. The production is directed by Marc Bruni with choreography by Dominique Kelley.

How long is The Great Gatsby musical?

The Great Gatsby runs approximately two hours and thirty minutes including one intermission. The first act establishes the world of West Egg and the growing connection between Gatsby and Daisy, while the second act escalates toward the tragic confrontation that defines Fitzgerald's narrative.

What is Carol Morsani Hall like as a venue?

Carol Morsani Hall is the largest theater within the Straz Center complex, seating approximately 2,610 guests. The hall features a wide proscenium stage, tiered seating with excellent sightlines from virtually every section, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Its grand scale makes it the preferred venue for major touring Broadway productions visiting the Tampa Bay region.

Is The Great Gatsby appropriate for children?

The Great Gatsby deals with mature themes including infidelity, alcohol consumption, violence, and moral corruption. While there is no official age restriction, the show is generally recommended for audiences aged twelve and older. Parents should use their discretion based on their child's maturity level and familiarity with the source material.

What are the performance times for The Great Gatsby at the Straz Center?

The eight performances run from January 19 through January 24, 2027. Evening shows typically begin at 7:30 PM, with matinee performances on select days starting in the early afternoon. Specific curtain times for each performance date are listed on the Straz Center website and on BigStub's event page.

Where should I park when attending The Great Gatsby at the Straz Center?

The Straz Center operates multiple parking garages adjacent to the venue, with spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Garage parking fees apply and can be paid upon entry. Additional street parking and nearby commercial lots provide overflow options during high-demand performances. Arriving thirty to forty-five minutes before curtain is recommended to allow time for parking and settling into your seat.

Can I eat near the Straz Center before the show?

The Straz Center's downtown Tampa location along the Riverwalk provides access to dozens of restaurants within walking distance. Options range from upscale waterfront dining to casual eateries and quick-service spots. The venue also operates concession areas and bars within the lobby where patrons can purchase beverages and light refreshments before the show and during intermission.

Did The Great Gatsby win any Tony Awards?

The Great Gatsby received multiple Tony Award nominations following its Broadway premiere in April 2024. Linda Cho won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical for her stunning Jazz Age wardrobe, which the touring production faithfully reproduces in every detail from sequined gowns to tailored period suits.

What makes the Tampa engagement unique compared to other tour stops?

Tampa's Straz Center is the largest performing arts complex in the southeastern United States, offering a scale and production capability that few touring venues can match. The January timing places the show during Tampa Bay's peak cultural and tourism season, when pleasant winter weather attracts visitors from colder climates. The Riverwalk setting also provides a distinctive pre-show atmosphere unavailable at inland venues.

How do verified resale tickets on BigStub work?

BigStub connects buyers with verified ticket holders who list their seats on the resale marketplace. Every listing undergoes authentication to confirm that tickets are genuine and valid for the specified performance. Buyers see the total price upfront with no hidden fees, and BigStub's guarantee ensures that replacement seats of equal or greater value are provided in the rare event of a fulfillment issue.

Will accessible seating be available for The Great Gatsby at the Straz Center?

The Straz Center is fully ADA-compliant, offering wheelchair-accessible seating locations, companion seats, assistive listening devices, and accessible restroom facilities throughout the venue. Patrons requiring specific accessibility accommodations should contact the Straz Center box office in advance to ensure appropriate arrangements are made for their selected performance date.