NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Previews

[djoko84]

Thanks so much for the info!

[Emmaloucbway]

Are there a lot of rewrites compared to the Off-Broadway cast recording? I know there's a new song added, but is there anything else major like that or just minor changes? 

[Steve C.]

I saw GC last week and sat in the 5th row orchestra and did miss some action. We are going again and got stage seating, (we decided on stage after seeing it and reading all the comments). It is however, as Queen A said, no matter where you are you may miss some of the staging.

If you're lucky you'll get a pierogi and an egg shaker (just use it only at the appropriate time). I did miss grabbing a vodka shot glass that are scattered around before the show starts, to toast will during the party scene.

[dramamama611]

 I'm sitting in row L next weekend....I'll report back.  while it's true I won't see everything...I think the real question is: will I FEEL as though I've missed much?    

[haterobics]

Steve C. said: "If you're lucky you'll get a pierogi and an egg shaker (just use it only at the appropriate time)."

It's only a dumpling now. Unless some people do get pierogies?! Our whole section was given pre-show dumplings.

[Steve C.]

Hi DM  you'll miss a few thing but you will be close to all the orchestra action. After seeing it we think that the on stage left or right banquettes offer the best overall views. We did not see any balcony staging and someone (can't remember, sorry) said at times the balcony action is quite impressive too. But I think you will still enjoy this entire experience. 

[abbagirl]

"I did miss grabbing a vodka shot glass that are scattered around before the show starts, to toast will during the party scene."

 

Uh, those are actually props for the actors to use, not for the audience to grab! :) So it's good you didn't!

[QueenAlice]

Just to be clear - there is no balcony at the Imperial. Only a Mezz. 

[HSky]

In rear orchestra, you'll have a lot of entrances/exits from the rear of the house. There would be "where is that voice coming from?" moments, though, mostly for ensemble but I'm not sure how much of the performers on side staircases you'd see. The main characters mostly use the mezz level to cross from one side to the other and keep moving but there's at least one moment when Pierre bursts on the scene dead center in the front of the mezzanine, and he searches the club on that level. 

[willep]

Once or twice a character will go up and deliver a single line from the front mezz. The best part of the mezz action is the chorus during Dust and Ashes, but you get some of them in the orchestra as well. The view of them up there from the stage was quite beautiful though.

 

In terms of rewrites, there are lots of minor changes and the new song. The biggest rewrite of an existing song is The Private and Intimate Life of a House, which is very different, and I believe that rewrite happened between ART and Broadway.

[HSky]

Alas, they didn't fit my budget for a last minute matinee pick today , but I was just at the box office and they had a few $79 onstage seats left for today's matinee.

[Steve C.]

Thanks for the corrections kids! I'm glad I didn't take the shot glass (but I think someone closer to it did).

And now, some Saturday nights are up to $400 orchestra. (Thank you "Hamilton", (Please don't hate on me Hamiltonians) 

[Kad]

willep said: "Once or twice a character will go up and deliver a single line from the front mezz. The best part of the mezz action is the chorus during Dust and Ashes, but you get some of them in the orchestra as well. The view of them up there from the stage was quite beautiful though.

 

In terms of rewrites, there are lots of minor changes and the new song. The biggest rewrite of an existing song is The Private and Intimate Life of a House, which is very different, and I believe that rewrite happened between ART and Broadway."

Interesting! At ART, the song was the same (or very similar) to what is on the recording.

The other most noticeable change at ART was for the "Sunday Morning" transition, I think- where it's now about "the candle in the mirror."

 

[neonlightsxo]

Does anybody have a link to the ART discussion thread? I just searched and couldn't find it.

[sorano916]

haterobics said: "Steve C. said: "If you're lucky you'll get a pierogi and an egg shaker (just use it only at the appropriate time)."

It's only a dumpling now. Unless some people do get pierogies?! Our whole section was given pre-show dumplings."

 

I got a dumpling. I actually prefer the dumpling to the pierogi. One thing I definitely don't miss from Kazino... those beet shots. Heh. I don't know I knew of anyone who liked them.

 

[Kad]

neonlightsxo said: "Does anybody have a link to the ART discussion thread? I just searched and couldn't find it."

Great Comet of 1812 at ART

 

[neonlightsxo]

Thank you!

[BroadwayGuy12]

I went last night, after adoring this show the two times I saw it in the tent in the theatre district. It's still a thrilling experience all around, and I can't wait to return.

Also, "Natasha Lost" wasn't in last night's performance, although it's still listed in the playbill. Not sure if it will find its way back in or if this is a permanent cut, but thought people here might be interested to know.

[neonlightsxo]

Oh man, really? That's disappointing. It was definitely in the show the first week when I saw it.

[Steve C.]

It's great to get these opinions and knowledge about the show. Did you see it at Imperial yet Kad? I'd like your thoughts if you have a sec. PM if needed Thanks, I'm still excited about sitting up on the stage this 2nd time.

[Kad]

I've not yet seen it at the Imperial, no. I probably won't for a another month or so at least.

[willep]

Natasha Lost is gone?! That's an interesting change...I quite liked that moment, and it was definitely there the first week of previews.

[canadian fan]

Does anyone have any idea when tickets for May shows will go on sale?

[QueenAlice]

"Natasha Lost" was in the show on Sunday. I do feel like that section of the show drags a little bit and should be trimmed slightly but I'm surprised they cut the entire song. I think I would have elected to trim a bit of the middle of the Natasha and Anatole segment.

[neonlightsxo]

Yeah, if they're looking to trim, there are other places...

[QueenAlice]

It is true that "Natasha Alone" and "No One Else" are similar in tone and meter. Perhaps they felt like because they come so close together in the show, the impact of the second song was being lost in the vastly bigger performance space.