Courtney Bassett News

The show has just launched a countdown teaser on its official website showing the comet's distance from the Great White Way, along with the opportunity to sign up for THE GREAT COMET's exclusive presale, starting April 24.

We already saw the multi-talented Josh Groban rock the accordion in rehearsal for Broadway's NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. Now, get a taste of the Broadway newbie's piano skills in his latest sit-down with DISASTER!'s Seth Rudetsky. Check it out below!

Broadway Sessions was thrilled to welcome Sheri Sanders' and friends on March 31 to celebrate the launch of RockthePerformance.com. Sanders, the world's premiere rock music coach, took a break from her demanding teaching schedule to party Broadway Sessions-style with some of her pals and students. After a killer opening number, Sanders invited students, turned Broadway stalwarts, Joey Taranto (Rock of Ages, Spider-Man, Kinky Boots), Hernando Umana (Kinky Boots) and Courtney Bassett (upcoming Natasha, Pierre...) to the stage to show the excited room just how it's done- Rock the Performance-style. Sessions also welcomed 'Rising Stars' Gaby Hornig, Sean Green and Toni Thompson. Check out these rocking performances below.

A rehearsal video has surfaced of Josh Groban and the cast of Broadway's NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 practicing the show's opening number -- complete with Groban (a man of many talents) on the accordion! Watch it below!

Full casting has been announced for the new musical THE GREAT COMET, featuring the Broadway debuts of 18 cast and creative team members including Josh Groban as 'Pierre' and Denee Benton as 'Natasha.' Created by Dave Malloy (Preludes, Ghost Quartet) and directed by Rachel Chavkin (Small Mouth Sounds, Preludes) - also making their Broadway debuts - THE GREAT COMET will blaze intoBroadway's Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street) beginning in the first week of October with opening night set for Monday, November 14, 2016.Ticketing info will be announced shortly. To sign up for news updates and presale ticketing opportunities, visit www.greatcometbroadway.com.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida and Footloose) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday, March 31st, Broadway Sessions will celebrate the launch of Sheri Sanders' Rock the Performance with a night of music, live coaching, games and more.

Below, go behind-the-scenes and watch the set transform from a pirate ship to 19th century Russia, plus watch interviews with GREAT COMET director Rachel Chavkin and more!

If the thought of seeing a contemporary opera based on Tolstoy's War and Peace sends Siberian shivers down your spine, fear not. All that Russian angst and all those convoluted relationships between 'people with nine different names' are brought forth with ingenious musical clarity in NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.

Take a look inside #GreatCometART with this exclusive video including audience testimonials.  Check it out below!

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus, presents Dave Malloy's musical adaptation of an excerpt from Leo Tolstoy's monumental novelWar and Peace, directed by Rachel Chavkin, with choreography by Sam Pinkleton. Check out a behind the scenes look at the making of the show below!

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus, presents Dave Malloy's musical adaptation of an excerpt from Leo Tolstoy's monumental novelWar and Peace, directed by Rachel Chavkin, with choreography by Sam Pinkleton. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus, is pleased to present Dave Malloy's musical adaptation of an excerpt from Leo Tolstoy's monumental novel War and Peace, directed by Rachel Chavkin, with choreography by Sam Pinkleton.  Check out a first look at rehearsals below!

As reported yesterday, Harvard University's American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) , under the artistic direction of Tony-winner Diane Paulus, will soon stage NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, based upon Leo Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE. In honor of the production, BroadwayWorld brings you a brief look back the Off-Broadway production!

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus, will present stage Malloy's musical adaptation of an excerpt from Leo Tolstoy's monumental novel War and Peace, directed by Rachel Chavkin, with choreography by Sam Pinkleton.

Jerome Robbins choreographic masterpiece, Goldberg Variations, to Johan Sebastian Bach's musical masterpiece of the same name, was first on New York City Ballet's program on Wednesday evening, May 13, replete with many stars of the company. Pianist Susan Walters sat far left on stage level, playing beautifully. The curtain opened on Faye Arthurs and Zachary Catazaro, in Baroque costume, dancing the Theme. Catazaro, a soloist with NYCB, showed himself to be an ideal classical danseur noble. He is handsome, debonair, confident, and secure, dancing with subtle nuances to his movement, which enriches the experience for the audience, as well, no doubt, for his own pleasure. Part I Variations featured dancers wearing contemporary leotards and dance skirts. With a distinctly Robbins flair, they became a painting in motion, exuding feeling. Emilie Gerrity, corps de ballet, and Lauren Lovette, soloist, were captivating in their duet. Part II Variations offered several gems. Tiler Peck and Gonzalo Garcia were playful and fun to see. Amar Ramasar, who joined NYCB in 2001 and became principal dancer in 2009, continues to grow as he matures, with fully developed expression and superb partnering. Maria Kowroski's long lines filled the stage. There was a cornucopia of beauty and joy via this coupling of dancers and choreography. Only the second group of corps de ballet in blue seemed to misunderstand the Robbins' spirit, particularly in their runs with knees bent, kicking back. Towards the end of Part II, the dancers changed into Baroque style costumes. Arthurs and Catazaro then returned in contemporary costumes. Finally, there was a group salute to the pianist, unusual and fitting.

?Bedbugs!!! is slated to close on November 2 and wanted to celebrate Halloween in style, anyone who comes to the theatre dressed as a Bedbug will get 50% off of a full priced ticket*.

Bedbugs!!! will end its run at the ArcLight Theatre on November 2. Written by composer, Paul Leschen with book & lyricist Fred Sauter with direction and choreography of Robert Bartley with musical supervision by Deborah Hurwitz. Bedbugs!!! began performances on September 9 and opened on September 14 and was originally set to end it run on October 26, due to popular demand extended through November 2. Tickets are $25 - $89 and can be purchased by visiting BedBugsMusical.com or calling Ovationtix.com at 866.811.4111. Bedbugs!!! is presented by Dale Joan Young.

Tonight, October 16th, Broadway Sessions celebrates Off Broadway offerings The Fantasticks and BedBugs!!!, as well as the upcoming national tour of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The Musical.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida and Footloose) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday, October 16th, Broadway Sessions celebrates Off Broadway offerings The Fantasticks and BedBugs!!!, as well as the upcoming national tour of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The Musical.

Written by composer, Paul Leschen with book & lyricist Fred Sauter with direction and choreography of Robert Bartley with musical supervision by Deborah Hurwitz. Bedbugs!!! began performances on September 9 and opened on September 14 and was originally set to end it run on October 26, due to popular demand, will now extend its run at the UWS's ArcLight Theatre (152 West 71 Street) through November 2, 2014. The cast of Bedbugs!!! performed at Times Square in Ripley's Believe it Or Not this past Saturday, and you can check out photos of the appearance below!