91大神 is making history as one of the first universities in the country to present 鈥淣atasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812,鈥� a two-time Tony Award-winning musical that takes place on Friday-Saturday, March 31-April 1, 2023 @ 7 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, April 13-15, 2023 @ 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 16, 2023 @ 2 p.m. in 91大神鈥檚 Blackbox Theater.
Based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy鈥檚 鈥淲ar and Peace,鈥� this 鈥渓ively, intelligent and utterly engrossing鈥� (Time Out New York) sung-through musical adaptation by celebrated composer Dave Malloy premiered at Ars Nova in New York City in 2012. It debuted Off-Broadway the same year and on Broadway in 2016. Audience engagement has always been part of the show, and 91大神 Theater鈥檚 production is no exception. Breaking down barriers between audience and actors, this immersive experience features a cast of 11 students, alumni, faculty/staff, and community members singing and dancing to and with theatergoers who are seated around tables and an octagonal bar with an orchestra pit.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a cabaret caf茅-like environment, and the workers of the cabaret caf茅 are serving up popcorn and non-alcoholic drinks and telling the story of 鈥楴atasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812鈥� from 鈥榃ar and Peace鈥�鈥� said 91大神 Theater faculty director Justin Poole.
Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova鈥攑layed by junior Spanish language & Hispanic studies and writing studies double major Hannah Landis (3/31, 4/13 and 4/15) and junior political science and sociology double major Greta Schrag (4/1, 4/14 and 4/16)鈥攁rrives in Moscow to await the return of her fianc茅 from the front lines. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, Pierre颅鈥攑layed by alumnus math major and music minor Joe Seitz 鈥�22鈥攖o pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation.
鈥淎t a base level, it鈥檚 a fun show to be in and watch,鈥� said Schrag, who is preparing for her vocally-challenging role with the help of 91大神 voice teacher Olivia Rominiyi. 鈥淎t a deeper level, it鈥檚 a story about love and humanity and what it means to physically interact with the people around you.鈥�
Cast members perform the role of one or two named characters and in the ensemble, wearing costumes that combine period and punkish-style elements鈥攁nd singing songs that combine the feel of Indie folk-rock and electronic dance music with Russian folk and classical sounds, according to music directors Angela Clemens and Jim Clemens.
Rounding out the artistic staff are 91大神 students Alexis Lewis and Sarah Peak (stage managers), 91大神 faculty/staff members Shannon Dove (scene design) and Rachel Herrick (costume design), 91大神 alum and graduate student Hailey Holcomb 鈥�17 (production assistant), 91大神 alumnus and guest lighting designer Robert Weaver 鈥�18, and resident choreographer Ellie de Waal.
Tickets are $18-$20. For tickets, visit or call the 91大神 Box Office at (540) 432-4582.
鈥淣atasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812鈥� is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
NOTE: Paul Pinto, who originated the role of Balaga and was the associate music director in the Broadway production of 鈥淣atasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812,鈥� will be the talkback speaker following the April 15 @ 7 p.m. and April 16 @ 2 p.m. performances.
鈥楴atasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812′ Cast
Natasha Rostova | Hannah Landis and Greta Schrag
Pierre Bezukhov | Joseph Seitz
Sonya Rostova | Afton Rhodes-Lehman
Marya Dmitriyevna | Holly Hanks Wanta
Anatole Kuragin | Adam Hoover
Andre Bolkonsky/Old Prince Bolkonsky | Jacob Nissley
Balaga | Bradley Kirkdorffer
H茅l猫ne Bezukhova | Eileen Hernon
Fedya Dolokhov | Marc Dowdy
Mary Bolkonsky/Female Opera Singer | Grace Altman