Relive NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Off-Broadway Ahead of A.R.T. Bow
By: Tyler Peterson Oct. 20, 2015
As reported yesterday, Harvard University's American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) , under the artistic direction of Tony-winner Diane Paulus, will soon stage NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, based upon Leo Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE. In honor of the production, BroadwayWorld brings you a brief look back the Off-Broadway production!
Rachel Chavkin directs, with choreography by Sam Pinkleton. The production will begin performances on Dec. 6 and continue through Jan. 3, 2016. 'THE GREAT COMET OF 1812' will officially open on Dec. 16.
A.R.T.'s regional premiere of 'THE COMET OF 1812's will star Brittain Ashford as Sonia Rostova, Gelsey Bell as Maria Bolkonskaya, Denee Benton as Natasha Rostova, Nicholas Belton as Andrey Bolkonsky, Nick Choksi as Dolokhov, Lilli Cooper as Hélène Bezukhova, Grace McLean as Marya, Paul Pinto as Balaga, Scott Stangland as Pierre Bezukhov, and Lucas Steele as Anatole Kuragin.The ensemble will feature Courtney Bassett, Josh Canfield, Ken Clark, Erica Dorfler, Lulu Fall, Ashley PerezFlanagan, Nick Gaswirth, Azudi Onyejekwe, Heath Saunders, Lauren Zakrin, and Katrina Yaukey.
Set design is by Mimi Lien, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Matthew Hubbs.
Per press notes, "Natasha is young, Anatole is hot, and Andrey isn't here...But what about Pierre? Based on a scandalous 70-page slice of Tolstoy's War and Peace, this electropop opera is Tolstoy like you've never experienced him before. Step into a glamorous, romantic world of chandeliers, vodka and caviar in the salons and opera houses of 19th century Moscow, where passions ignite as Napoleon's war rages outside the city. With the cast and musicians swirling among audience members, this new musical brings to life the heart of literature's most epic tale of love and fate."
The off-Broadway cast of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 featured David Abeles as 'Pierre,'Brittain Ashfordas 'Sonya,' Blake DeLong as 'Bolkonsky/Andrey,' Amber Gray as 'Hélène,' Nick Choksi as 'Dolokhov',Grace McLeanas 'Marya D.,' Ashkon Davaran as 'Balaga,' Phillipa Soo as 'Natasha,' Lucas Steele as 'Anatole.' and Katrina Yaukey as 'Princess Mary.'
Click here to check out what the critics had to say about the immersive musical when it first opened!
Check out photos from the original production below!
Photo Credit: Chad Batka
Tickets to A.R.T.'s production of NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 will go on sale this Wednesday, October 21st at 12:00pm. To purcahse, call 617.547.8300, visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org, or head to the box office.
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