Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Broadway) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (2,653)
See it if This is an entertaining and clever musical.Saw it downtown,even better in this venue.
Don't see it if Don't see this if you don't like clever ,unique and inventive musicals.
See it if You want to experience a show like none other on Broadway. Immersive and mesmerizing. Must-see!
Don't see it if If you don't like to have a good time! Read more
See it if You want a non-traditional, immersive experience; you like musicals with lots of different musical styles; to see something totally unique
Don't see it if You don't want to interact w/actors; you have trouble following fast lyrics that explain the action; you don't like loud contemporary music Read more
See it if you love reinventions of theatre, immersive theatre, rock operas, unique stories, and creative directing/staging
Don't see it if You want to be able to see everything that's going on all the time. And if you don't want to work to understand the plot.
See it if You want to see THE finest show on Broadway+ the likely 2017 Tony winner ! Originality is at the top of the list for you. Perfection, your *
Don't see it if This is an electro pop opera. Traditional shows and staging are all that interesting you, but I say take a chance ! Go, see it, yes you ! Read more
See it if You want spectacular, live music, action in all areas of theater, excellent story, amazing staging and talent + Josh Groban. You want fun
Don't see it if You don't like spectacular musicals Read more
See it if You enjoy immersive, creative new musical works.
Don't see it if You prefer a more classic show.
See it if Broadway at its most talented, over-the-top glory. Incredible talent. The transformed theater.
Don't see it if Dead
Critic Reviews (65)
"Extraordinary, the freshest, most inviting show on Broadway this season. 'Great Comet' is awesome in its stagecraft, in its music, and in its performances...Director Rachel Chavkin and set designer Mimi Lien in particular deserve kudos for staging on Broadway something very close to the kind of immersive theater that’s lately been intriguing theatergoers all over the world – everywhere but Broadway, until now."
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"When the dancers are leaping, the accordions wheezing, the lights flashing, the skirts swirling, and the vodka flowing, then 'Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812' feels thrillingly unlike anything else on Broadway...The combinatory musical style is perhaps too eclectic, yet also undeniably invigorating – like a shot of horseradish vodka. Besides, these are rather minor quibbles when compared with the beauty of many of the songs and the excitement of the immersive staging."
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"The visually stunning ‘The Great Comet’ has improved in many ways from its other three incarnations…Rachel Chavkin’s direction is another work of art. Ms. Chavkin moves her players around with such grace and intimacy, the audience is sure to be astounded in its opulence…Mr. Groban’s acting is splendid...What is lacking from this production is the force of energy that was Natasha...Denée Benton is beautiful, sings well, and can act. What she lacks is star power "
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"'War and Peace' is a lot of story to tell in one musical. But why leave out its ending when 'The Great Comet' meanders rather aimlessly for the first 45 minutes?...While there are occasional dollops of levity in Malloy’s lyrics, Chavkin never stops spoofing his material, which is the major saving grace of this 'Comet.' Throughout the evening, clever bits of thespian business, as well as unobtrusive audience participation, manage to delight. And distract, in a good way."
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"Set designer Lien has done her best to recreate the atmosphere of a Russian dinner club, but the experience is much less intimate...The musical’s delicate closing moments brought me to tears Off-Broadway, but here I just admired the stagecraft...Groban exhibits a magnificent voice, but lacks the depth to fully inhabit the role. Benton’s Natasha is charming and bubbly yet when her liaison with Anatole is shattered, she fails to move us."
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"All of the movement and interaction with audience members add to the excitement. But when all is said and done, the acting and singing carry the day and stir emotions. The score is dynamic and intriguingly varied, and there are outstanding performing turns...If you want to see a particularly unusual show, head for the Imperial. The theater itself is something to see and experience in its new version revamped for this run."
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"Malloy’s sung-through treatment injects vibrancy, energy, and wry humor into the sordid tale. Alternately wild, seductive, and beautifully operatic, Malloy’s score is as broad and varied as the sentiments expressed in Tolstoy’s prose…While the story feels somewhat incomplete in the end, there’s enough emotion and intrigue here to satisfy most appetites for drama…Benton and Groban’s knockout performances make the case for jumping in and losing yourself."
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"'The Great Comet' is an ingratiating show but, despite its source material, it's not really a substantive one. Malloy and his inventive director Rachel Chavkin (this production's true MVP) throw a great party but they fail to dramatize the complex inner lives of Tolstoy's lovelorn aristocrats or to make it clear why they even wanted to retell Tolstoy...Still, the new leads who have joined the Broadway production do much with the little they've been given."
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