BWW Blog: Kellie Williams - My Top 3 Favorite Parts of NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

Earlier this month, I saw Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway with my mom and sister. It was unlike anything I've ever seen on Broadway-or anywhere-in the best possible way. Here's a list of my top three favorite things about the show:

1. The Whole Theatre is The Stage

Last year, I saw Les Miserables at the Imperial. I was totally shocked to see that the Imperial no longer looked even remotely like the traditional theatre I'd remembered. The conventional stage had completely disappeared, and replaced with a small center platform surrounded by seating. In the orchestra, there were runways that were used as parts of the stage. There were even stairs directly from the stage to the mezzanine! All of the walls are decorated with period paintings and the pre-show playlist includes Russian music, so as soon as you come into the theatre, you're transported from modern-day Manhattan to 19th-century Moscow. Before the show begins, there is an announcement that the show will be happening everywhere, thus beginning the most interactive Broadway experience I've ever had.

2. The Music

Except for hearing the cast preview a few songs at Broadway in Bryant Park over the summer, I was not at all familiar with the music of the show before seeing it. I was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful score, and the innovative narration style. The characters often refer to themselves in the third person, serving both as narrators and as players in the story. The way the story is told, coupled with the immersive set and staging, drew me into the plot and got me invested in the characters in a unique and engaging way. The songs also cover a variety of different musical styles, from ballads to party anthems; nothing about the music feels redundant.

3. Josh Groban

I'm a big fan of Josh Groban, and my favorite album of his is the most recent one, Stages. My mom, my sister, and I were all very excited to see his Broadway debut. His performance in Great Comet exceeded my expectations-his voice was every bit as pure and strong as it is on his albums. He was perfect in his role, and I hope that Great Comet will lead to many more Broadway roles for him.

Run, don't walk, to see this amazing show.

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