NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Previews

[vfd88]

I gotta say, I'm just glad that the biggest issues people have with the show have little to do with the seating/sight-lines. When I heard that this was going to be an environmental production staged in a traditional Broadway house, I got nervous.

[QueenAlice]

I'm not going to lie -- when I saw the show downtown, while I wouldn't call the plot confusing, I did think it came across as a bit convoluted, and I would say that it was a slight flaw with Ms. Chavkin's directorial concept that indeed made the 'event' upstage clean storytelling. I can imagine that might become a bigger issue in an even bigger setting.  I suspect this will be a show that people either embrace the score and the experience or they don't. I don't think there is a 'great story' at the heart of this adaptation.

[Roscoe]

The one time I got lost in the Kazino production was during the Abduction scene.  I just didn't know what the hell was going on.  And then Balaga came on, and well, whatever, it didn't last long and we were soon brought back to reality when old-school Marya appeared bellowing about "Not in MY HOUSE!!!"

I was sufficiently blown away by the rest of the enterprise to see it again, and that particular section made a lot more sense -- I think Mr. Choksi and Mr. Steele were having a bad night and fluffed some lines that first time out.

I'm a huge fan of the show, and of the original album, and Mr. Malloy's other work.  I'll cop to mixed feelings -- Mr. Groban's ever-so-polished baritone, at first glance, doesn't seem to me to fit Mr. Malloy's music as well I could hope, I'm afraid it'll be like Robert Goulet singing Bob Dylan, but I'm keeping my hopes up.

 

[aimeric]

Roscoe, I had that exact fear about Josh Groban's voice fitting the score, which is why I think I was so favorably impressed by him when I saw the show on Tuesday.  Does he growl like Steve Earle?  No.  But he does handle the rough parts of the score pretty well, and the softer parts of the score are unbelievably beautiful in his voice.  If anything, when I heard the way he roughs up his voice at some points in the show, I found myself just really hoping that he's done (and continues to do) sufficient vocal training for singing this part 8 times a week, because otherwise he could end up hurting his voice before long...

[Roscoe]

Aimeric -- I'm glad that's the case.  I've been hearing similar things from others.  Can't wait to see this in a couple of weeks.

[HSky]

I also was surprised by how much I liked Groban's voice as a fit for the production. You could definitely hear the power in his vocals but he didn't sound out of place stylistically at all. I was neutral on him before seeing the show but appreciate him more now having seen his performance as Pierre. 

[willep]

I am glad most people are enjoying Groban. I thought he was a bit weak in the role. I am going to try to catch Stangland during one of the days he is scheduled for.

[HSky]

I loved Scott Stangland in Cambridge and also enjoy his band, Youth in a Roman Field. Glad to know I'm not the only one looking to attend one of his known December dates.

[aimeric]

Is Scott Stangland scheduled yet for any performances?  I also enjoyed his take on Pierre when I saw it at A.R.T.

[HSky]

Josh Groban is out two dates in December. They're listed on Telecharge and they had a post it taped up on the inside of the box office for the box office staff. I believe one was Christmas Eve and the other in the preceding week.

[willep]

December 15 is the other, I believe.

[FiddleMeThis]

Having never seen this show, I found the plot to be extremely muddled to the point of incoherence, especially for most of act one. The score itself is not great enough to sustain interest. The spectacle is pretty awesome, but I just have a feeling this whole enterprise was more exciting when it was a space for 200 people. We left really disappointed. 

 

The stobe light scene goes on for multiple minutes, and the woman behind me started having a panic attack and threw herself over the aisle to get out quickly. 

[Relevance81491]

Food update: 

before the show stated tonight, cast members came out to toss boxes of pierogi to audience members in each of the sections

[TFMH18]

Saw this last night and I have very similar opinions to some others echoed here. I had seen the show in the tent in midtown and didn't actually love it. Having seen this new interpretation, I feel entirely differently. The bigger scale production has drastically changed the show, much to my delight, for the better. 

The story is without a doubt very insubstantial. It's a trite tale of unrequited love/societal limitations placed upon women. This show, however, is not about the story. I was enraptured the entire time (and it's on the longer side, very close to full three hours). The music is unlike anything that's ever been on Broadway before and that isn't to say anything about the truly thrilling scenic design, choreography, costuming, lighting design and utilization of the space. It's anachronistic and modern and inventive. 

It is, of course, very similar to Hadestown and someone earlier in this thread referenced the NY Magazine review of that show, in which Jesse Green described it as an "illustrated pop concert." That idea sort of applies here as well. If you want to see a musical with a story that will touch you, this is not that show. If you want to have a theatrical Experience that will put you outside of yourself and allow you to feel something new in a Broadway house, this one is for you. I, frankly, cannot wait to see it again. 

[Willie4316]

I saw this at yesterday's matinée. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see this Midtown so I had nothing to compare it. 

I can say without a doubt one of the most amazing theatrical experiences I've ever had. Everything, from Dave Malloy's score to the energy the cast gave to the unique staging, just blew me away. 

I originally had my doubts about Groban and whether he could manage to sing this 8 times a week. After yesterday I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that he can sing this. His voice fits perfectly into the cast. Denée was charming and had a very innocent personality that she brought to the role. While I would have loved to see Phillipa's Natasha, the producers have found an excellent replacement who can hold her own. 

The unique seating arrangement and audience interaction are something else. From the platforms used for dance sequences to the letters being passed throughout the rows, it presents a truly wonderful experience. My only problem was my seat (left orchestra, H23) which was slightly partial view but for the most part I was able to see everything. 

This is definitely a show worth revisiting after they've officially opened. Out of all the shows opening this season I would say this is 1 of 3 top contenders for the Tonys. 

[VintageSnarker]

How is the sound at this point? Were all of the lyrics intelligible?

[bnp2641]

anyone try the rush line this weekend? how was it? I am hoping to try with a friend next weekend. 

[Willie4316]

VintageSnarker said: "How is the sound at this point? Were all of the lyrics intelligible?

"

For the most part they were intelligible, a few lines here and there get lost at one point I thought Groban's mic went off then went back on. 

[Willie4316]

bnp2641 said: "anyone try the rush line this weekend? how was it? I am hoping to try with a friend next weekend. 

"

I rushed for Saturday matinee. Got there at 7:30, 15th in line. Got left orchestra, H 23. Not too bad for a partial view, it was an aisle seat and one seat down the row there was a table. Only problem was a small section of the stage was blocked by a staircase to the mezzanine. 

[neonlightsxo]

I sat in the rear mezz (row H, center) for the matinee today after having seen the show at the downtown Kazino. The show really transferred well and Groban is great. I also felt I had a great view with one caveat. The chandeliers and other lighting fixtures sometimes obstruct the heads of the actors on the top level of the set. It didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the show, but I just thought I'd put that out there.

Also I had zero trouble with the sound. The sound design is basically flawless, IMO. 

[Jarethan]

"Out of all the shows opening this season I would say this is 1 of 3 top contenders for the Tonys."

 

Isn't this just a little premature assessment?

[Willie4316]

Jarethan said: ""Out of all the shows opening this season I would say this is 1 of 3 top contenders for the Tonys."

 

Isn't this just a little premature assessment?

 

"

You could call it that. I just feel as though there are 3, maybe 4, shows that are gonna sweep the Tony Awards this season and this is one of them. 

[dramamama611]

That pretty much negates the meaning of "sweep". 

[HopesS]

Is the writing like Fela confusing and hard to understand 

[Call_me_jorge]

^Bye Felicia!

[newintown]

"This show, however, is not about the story."

This puts the finger right on the reason why I was ultimately bored by this show - I found it to be about effects/mood/gimmicks rather than people or a story.