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Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

“Atmospheric and open-hearted”
Josh Groban and the cast of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Photo: Chad Batka
Josh Groban and the cast of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Photo: Chad Batka
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This new musical adaptation of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, which started life Off-Broadway at a 99-seat theatre, has been scaled up for Broadway. Director Rachel Chavkin and set designer Mimi Lien have maintained the original’s inviting intimacy in this immersive production.

The sung-through show, with book, music, and lyrics by Dave Malloy, creates a beautiful, soaring and anachronistic world, even if the music remains aloof.

Lien transforms a proscenium theatre into a glittering supper club, with serpentine runways between seats and a sizeable portion of the audience seated on stage. Chavkin has the actors perform among the audience and engage in gentle interaction. The multicultural ensemble, dressed like bohemian club kids rocking out in Imperial Russia, makes clear this is no traditional adaptation.

Denee Benton in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. Photo: Chad Batka
Denee Benton in Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Photo: Chad Batka

 

In short, Natasha (Denee Benton) is engaged to a prince away at war. In his absence, she falls for the vain Anatole (Lucas Steele) who reciprocates, but also incestuously clings to his sister, Helene (Amber Gray). Unfaithful Helene is married to the kind, bookish Pierre (Josh Groban).

The complicated narrative, with overwrought romantic plot, is kept in check by delightfully self-aware humour in the direction. Rousing ensemble numbers and delicate ballads sung by Groban and Benton are Malloy’s strongest compositions, but many expository songs drag. Malloy’s music often feels more coolly intellectual than gripping.

Yet the cast members (many making their Broadway debuts) bring heart. Denton beams as the ebullient Natasha. Groban inflects his supporting character with a sweet dorkiness. Gray, with every charismatic glance, draws you in.


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Production Details
Production nameNatasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
VenueImperial Theatre
LocationNew York
StartsOctober 18, 2016
EndsApril 23, 2017
Running time2hrs 30mins
ComposerDave Malloy
Book writerLeo Tolstoy, Dave Malloy
LyricistDave Malloy
DirectorRachel Chavkin
Musical directorOr Matias
Musical supervisorSonny Paladino
ChoreographerSam Pinkleton
Set designerMimi Lien
Costume designerPaloma Young
Lighting designerBradley King
Sound designerNicholas Pope
Wigs, hair and make-up designerLeah J Loukas
Casting directorStewart ., Whitley .
Cast includesAmber Gray, Brittain Ashford, Denee Benton, Gelsey Bell, Grace Mclean, Josh Groban, Lucas Steele, Nicholas Belton, Nick Choksi, Paul Pinto, Scott Stangland
Technical managerHudson Theatricals
Stage managerKaryn Meek
ProducerAmerican Repertory Theater, Ars Nova, Howard, Janet Kagen, Paula Marie Black
VerdictAtmospheric production and open-hearted performances warm War and Peace adaptation in which the stand-offish music chills
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Nicole Serratore

Nicole Serratore

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