Overview
Synopsis
Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace bursts off the page in the dazzling, vibrant Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. In Europe, the Napoleonic Wars are raging, but in Moscow, the opulent, glittering world of Russia’s elite parties under the magical glow of the Great Comet. The innocent, romantic Natasha arrives in Moscow, longing for the return of her fiancé, Andrey. When she meets the dashing, seductive Anatole, she quickly falls head over heels for the charming rogue. But when Natasha throws off her engagement and attempts to elope with Anatole, it is up to Pierre—the melancholy, lost Pierre, desperate to feel alive once more—to save Natasha and her family from ruin. This sung-through musical by Dave Malloy takes a small portion from Tolstoy’s classic novel, and creates a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience: part-musical, part-rock show, part-Russian cabaret, all told in Malloy’s bold, soaring, heartfelt masterpiece.
Show Information
- Book
- Dave Malloy
- Music
- Dave Malloy
- Lyrics
- Dave Malloy
- Conceived By
- Dave Malloy
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2012
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Moscow, Russia, Winter, 1812
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Composer and lyricist Dave Malloy was inspired to create Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 after reading Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel War and Peace while working on a cruise ship. Malloy was greatly struck by the 70-page segment from Volume 2, Part 5 that details Natasha’s downfall and Pierre’s reawakening, and realized that the story would be perfect fodder for a musical. Malloy believed it important to include as much of Tolstoy’s text and style in the piece; as such, all
to read the context for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
The story begins in the cold winter of 1812 in Moscow. The Napoleonic Wars are raging, but they haven’t reached the city yet. The characters are introduced: the young, lovely Natasha, recently engaged to Prince Andrey Bolkonsky, who is away fighting in the war; the loyal, good Sonya, Natasha’s cousin and best friend; Marya Dmitriyevna, a wealthy grand dame of Moscow and Natasha’s godmother; the handsome rake Anatole Kuragin and his sister, the devious, promiscuous Hélène; the
to read the plot for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
ACT ONE
- Prologue - Ensemble
- Pierre - Pierre, Ensemble
- Moscow - Marya, Natasha, Sonya
- The Private and Intimate Life of the House - Bolkonsky, Mary
- Natasha & Bolkonskys - Mary, Natasha, Bolkonskys
- No One Else - Natasha
- The Opera - Natasha, Sonya, Marya, Hélène, Ensemble
- Natasha & Anatole - Natasha, Anatole
- The Duel - Anatole, Dolokhov, Pierre, Hélène, Ensemble
- Dust and Ashes - Pierre, Ensemble
- Sunday Morning - Natasha, Sonya, Marya
- Charming - Hélène
- The Ball - Natasha, Anatole
ACT TWO
- Letters - Natasha, Pierre, Mary, Anatole, Ensemble
- Sonya & Natasha - Sonya, Natasha
- Sonya Alone - Sonya
- Preparations - Anatole, Dolokhov, Pierre
- Balaga - Balaga, Anatole, Dolokhov, Ensemble
- The Abduction - Ensemble
- In My House - Marya, Natasha, Sonya
- A Call to Pierre - Marya, Pierre
- Find Anatole - Pierre, Anatole, Hélène, Natasha
- Pierre & Anatole - Pierre, Anatole
- Natasha Very Ill - Sonya
- Pierre & Andrey - Andrey, Pierre
- Pierre & Natasha - Pierre, Natasha
- The Great Comet of 1812 - Pierre, Ensemble
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
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