Great Comet of 1812 at ART

[RW3]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 3:59pm

I spent last weekend revisiting the score and it made me remember the rumors about it coming to Broadway to the Circle in the Square or St. James. Thus, it made me wonder, will Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 ever come to Broadway? The only two theatres I could see it going into would be the Circle in the Square and Studio 54.

Updated On: 12/9/15 at 03:59 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 4:03pm

Both the St. James and especially Circle in the Square seem like they're going to be pretty content with their tenants for a good while now.

 

However, I could really only ever see this working in Circle.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 4:06pm

It's playing at the ART In Boston, as of yesterday. I'm.going tomorrow night. 

 

So it's not dead in the water, but don't know what their aspirations are for the piece.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 4:08pm

I believe the current production at A.R.T (which I'm seeing this weekend, and from which I've seen rehearsal-photos), is using proscenium staging, in addition to audience members around the stage. If they can make it work, then it has a better chance of going into a traditional house. I also heard that the original production was considering the Walter Kerr before Gentleman's Guide won the Tony and picked up sales. 

 

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 4:25pm

I was at the invited dress at ART the other night. The original creative team is attached, and there are new numbers in the show. The piece is very much still in development, and ART has basically become a pre-Broadway incubator, so I wouldn't rule it out!!

[Kad]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 4:47pm

There are new numbers? That's very surprising, since the show is already licensed and recorded (and is a successful piece of a theatre!)

I'm seeing it in its closing weekend; the Kazino production was one of my favorite productions in recent memory, and I think the score is one of the most exciting and original pieces of musical theatre in some time. I was more than happy to schedule a weekend trip to Boston to revisit it.

Considering the proscenium configuration for ART, it is hard not to think it is an attempt at proving the piece could work in a traditional house.

Updated On: 12/7/15 at 04:47 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 4:53pm

I'm not sure if it has been kept to traditional seating as I know they lost most of the lower orcestra seats to bring the action out.....will let you know tomorrow!

[Kad]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 4:56pm

There's a considerable section of "traditional" theatre seating, and then the supper club area with tables, stools, and benches. There are much fewer seats in the supperclub area than in the NYC engagements.

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 5:00pm

this is an unofficial pre-broadway tryout, the same producers for the Kazino run are still attached and they are still determined to get this to broadway, if all goes well they are aiming for the fall. 

[HSky]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 5:03pm

I missed out on seeing it in NY but can't wait to see it Wednesday night. I grabbed the last onstage seat for that performance and am looking forward to the experience.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 5:10pm

Love this piece! The score is one of my favorites of the past several seasons.

 

Here are some pics of the proscenium set:

 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 5:16pm

I snagged one of the $25 stools- I'm not expecting stellar sightlines, but that price can't be beat.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 12/7/15 at 5:44pm

I sat in a stool house right and could see everything! You should be fine. :)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 4:21am

What's a stool house?  Ew!  (I know what you meant, but this is the phrasing I see!)

 

Seeing this tonight, very excited.

 

Kirby what was the running time?

 

 

[Buddy Plummer2]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 11:27am

With a delayed start time and a somewhat drawn out intermission, it's about 3 hours.

that being said, and barring a few small technical issues they'll fix in no time, the show has never looked or sounded better. They now have doubled the size of the ensemble, many of whom also play instruments that they play throughout the entire theatre.

i was seated about 4 rows into the orchestra, and though the show is played all around the audience and retains that intimacy, it definitely works in this sort of half proscenium/ half 360 immersion setting.

spoiler(?)- there's only one completely new song- Dust to Ashes, for Pierre after the duel in the first act. Oh god, it's beautiful, and fits perfectly. I want it recorded now. There's a few lyric changes here and there, the start of "Sunday morning" is different now too. Also "balaga" has an extended dance break and a toast from Pierre. 

 

Weird note- most of the audience was really into the whole experience. But there was a large amount who  seemed to just despise it/ think it was too weird. The woman next to me literally didn't know what to do with the pierogi she got at the start, and when she got handed a letter during the top of act two (which was one of my favorite experience at kazino- seeing what crazy messages the ensemble was going to give out that night), she handed it off to me as if she didn't know what to do with it. Bunches of audience members seated in the first row of bar seating would get pissy during any of the moments their view was slightly obscured, and the guy who was tasked with handing the letter to Natasha in the top of act two flat out refused to get up from his chair, and for a second almost didn't give up the letter.

maybe it's just a Boston thing, but the arrogance of some of these people was just ridiculously rude and uncalled for.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 11:43am

It looks like they're trying to make Pierre more prominent. A criticism I have heard of the piece is that Pierre is out of focus for too much of it- which I think is true but not a detriment.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 4:37pm

Many people are uncomfortable being part of the action.  It doesn't surprise me if folks aren't aware of it and are reluctant.

 

In the train now to meet a friend for dinner.  :) 

Updated On: 12/8/15 at 04:37 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 4:58pm

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the production, Dramamama!I hope you have a lovely evening.

Posted: 12/8/15 at 5:10pm

God I hope this comes to Broadway.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 5:35pm

Thanks, kad, never having seen it, I am looking at it with very virgin eyes.  

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 7:27pm

Good Lord, it's gorgeous in here!  

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 9:04pm

Intermission.  

 

I am in love.  

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 9:09pm

So happy that you are loving it, dramamama! I can't wait to hear more of your thought.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 9:11pm

I'm champing at the bit to see this on Saturday. I have a ticket for the back row of the house, which were the only cheap seats back when tickets first went on sale. I wish I had had the option to buy a stool seat back then. Is this theatre very intimate? Should I be worried about being in the last row? I know it won't be the same as the immersive seats but hopefully it should still be a great experience. 

[downhillskier]

Posted: 12/8/15 at 9:38pm

The ART is a wonderful, small, intimate venue. There are no bad seats for any production. We often joke that it's size makes it feel like a small high school auditorium. We love it there! It truely spoils you by the intimacy of it. 

Looking forward to seeing the show for the 1st time next Saturday. Really don't know what to expect. As a subscriber, we received an email offering us the chance to change our seats and be part of the action. We are now in the Banquettes. Glad I read this thread so I can warn my husband to be prepared to be part of the show! We feel fortunate that Diane Paulus has brought such terriffic talent to Cambridge and that we can see so many shows (hopefully) being developed for Broadway close to our home.