Immersive ‘electro-pop musical’ opens 2023-24 Mainstage Series
Pierre (Connor Raposa), right, looks on with concern as Anatole (Jaston Brooks) and Natasha (Emma Christmann) share a moment in a scene from “Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812.”
When it hit Broadway in 2016, “Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812” created a new definition of what musical theater could be – and now this whirlwind of a production comes to the stage at SUNY Fredonia.
The musical opens on Friday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., in the Robert W. Marvel Theatre on the Fredonia campus. It is presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance as part of the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series.
Additional performances are Oct. 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available online, by phone at (716) 673-3501 or in person at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center. The hours for phone and in-person sales are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“It really is a beautiful piece of art,” said Dr. Jessica Hillman-McCord, who directs the Mainstage production. “It’s an exciting clash of styles, genres and periods with eclectic music.”
Written by Dave Malloy, an American composer, playwright and lyricist, “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” is a musical adaptation of a segment of Leo Tolstoy’s iconic novel “War and Peace.”
Described as “an electro-pop opera,” the score blended traditional theater music, Russian folk music, classical music, indie rock and electronic dance music to earn Tony Award nominations for best musical, best original score, best musical book and best orchestration in 2017.
“At the heart of it is a simple and gripping story,” Dr. Hillman-McCord said. “Pierre’s search for meaning, Natasha’s awakening – the comet is a symbol of change. It’s a very immersive production. You really feel like you’re in the world of these characters.”
The way in which the Mainstage production will be staged is a major reason for that. In addition to the actual stage in Marvel Theatre, satellite stages have been created in the house and the actors move throughout the entire space.
“It’s exciting for us to be able to work in such a relationship with the audience,” the director said. “It’s a great challenge for the actors and creates a visceral and vibrant experience for the audience.”
The rights to produce “Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812” have just become available. Fredonia will be staging one the earliest regional productions. At the same time, Hillman-McCord noted the musical has a dedicated following. A rehearsal clip shared on Tiktok, has garnered more than 52,000 views.
While production is immersive, Hillman-McCord explained it is not done “in an intimidating way.” Audience members who are interested in an interactive experience may have that opportunity. At the same time, those who would rather just sit back and take in the story can do so without getting involved.
There will be a lot to take in with a cast of 24, large set pieces, elaborate costumes and 13 musicians interspersed through the house.
“It’s visually sumptuous,” Hillman-McCord said. “There are a lot of big numbers and a lot of dance. Some parts are like a big party.”
In the end, Hillman-McCord hopes audiences will leave feeling “moved and invigorated.”
“I think they’ll find it exciting,” she said. “These are really human characters – three-dimensional beings – who struggle like we all do.”
“Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812” is presented as part of the 2023-24 Lake Shore Savings Season at Rockefeller Arts Center.
