Dave Malloy's  Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1828
at Theatre Raleigh Is Simply Stunning, a Must-See Musical

Dance captain Meagan Chieppor and Theatre Raleigh's high-kicking cast trip the light fantastic (photo by Jennifer Robertson Photography)

Dave Malloy's Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1828 is a must-see musical at Theatre Raleigh. Let me preface this superlative by pointing out that opera is seldom my "cup of tea." That said: The "love triangle" has been a common component of stories throughout the ages. In popular versions, the leading lady has been promised to one man but then is charmed by another, causing us to wonder: "Where will this lead?"

To make things interesting, let's set this tale in Russia during the Napoleonic Wars; let's send the initial suitor (to whom she is engaged to be married) off to war; and let's make the second suitor a married man and give him "a swagger that would have been ridiculous had he not been so good looking."

And to further complicate the issue, let's not mention the name of either suitor in this story's title, a title that begins with the lady's name but then adds a third man's name, along with the name of a natural phenomenon that will coincide with the time frame of the story.

So, it would seem that our story about Natasha (a woman who must choose ...) overlaps with the story of Pierre ("dear, bewildered, awkward Pierre"). Then let's open the first act with a "cumulative song" that begins with "There's a war going on somewhere, and Andrey isn't here" and then adds a line to introduce another character in every ensuing verse, always ending each verse with the reminder that "Andrey isn't here."

And what about that "Great Comet"? Does it somehow figure into the story? Or is it merely metaphorical?

Manna Nichols stars as Natasha in Dave Malloy's Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1828(photo by Jennifer Robertson Photography)

This Production:

Based on a section of Leo Tolstoy's 1869 novel War and Peace, with book, lyrics, and music by Dave Malloy, Theatre Raleigh's production of the "electro-pop opera" Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is simply stunning from start-to-finish. Mega-kudos to director Tim Seib, and choreographer Lisette Glodowski, and musical director Joanna Li!

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1828 stars David Toole as Pierre (photo by Jennifer Robertson Photography)

The Cast:

Kudos also to each member of this hard-charging, high-caliber cast. Singing while dancing (and often while playing a musical instrument), every actor/dancer/singer/musician on (and next to) the stage turns in an impeccable performance.

Manna Nichols (as Natasha) expertly portrays her character's transition from starry-eyed optimistic fiancée to slightly distracted, to deeply smitten, and beyond. Will she "fall"? If so, how far?

David Toole delivers a Pierre who eventually feels that he has hit rock-bottom. Will he be resolute enough to pull through? And to support Natasha?

I am pretty sure that they invented the term "rake" to apply to the type presented by Andrew Wade in the role of Anatole.

Miceala Shanyce Bundy totally rocks as Marya D, Natasha's "strict yet kind" godmother.

Derek Robinson turns in a sufficiently "crazy" Old Prince Bolonsky as well as an appropriate Andrey (whom we meet in remote locations). Will Andrey ever be "here"?

Andrew Wade (left) and Jack Russell Richardson star as Anatole and Dolokhov (photo by Jennifer Robertson Photography)

The Tech:

Scenic designer Benedict R. Fancy has brilliantly placed the orchestra pits (there are two of them) in the middle of the action. The acting area surrounds them almost like a figure eight with one "pocket" that contains a woodwind and string section and another with two pianos, an upright bass, and drums. Individual actors often augment the orchestra with such instruments, such as guitars, accordion, violin, clarinet, and even a melodica.

Costume designer Malissa Border adds to the visual feast, creating a look that blends traditional Russian styles with modern punk-ish looks.

In addition to "standard" lighting cues, Lighting designer Jenni Becker makes use of a slowly rotating disco ball at times, to great effect.

Miceala Shanyce Bundy stars as Marya D in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1828 (photo by Jennifer Robertson Photography)

Interesting Trivia:

1. In the tradition of a "play-within-the-play," Dave Malloy has inserted an "opera-within-the-opera." Watch for one or two comments from the onstage audience.
2. When transportation is needed, a group of actors creates a very believable horse driven "troika" (driven by Tedd Szeto as Balaga).
3. There are no suicides in this story, but one character does challenge another to a duel.

Derek Robinson plays both Andrey and Old Prince Bolkonsky at Theatre Raleigh (photo by Jennifer Robertson Photography)

The Bottom Line:

Theatre Raleigh's production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 definitely qualifies as a "must-see musical." My suggestion is, arrive early enough to peruse the program before the lights go down; you'll be glad you did.

Even if your time is short, do not skip the 10-sentence section labeled CHARACTERS, and be sure to read (at the very least) the pre-intermission section of the SYNOPSIS. (You can save the post-intermission section for reading during intermission.) ABOUT THE SHOW is interesting, but feel free to save it for after the show (but only if you can't work it in beforehand).

I almost forgot: grab a drink at the bar to bring in for Act One, and another for Act Two!

Dave Malloy's NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1828 (In Person at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28-30 and Nov. 2-6), based on a section of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, directed by Tim Seib and choreographed by Lisette Glodowski, with musical direction by Joanna Li, and starring Manna Nichols as Natasha, David Toole as Pierre, Anna Wentworth as Hélène, Rebekah Holland as Mary, Tedd Szeto as Balaga, Andrew Wade as Anatole, Miceala Shanyce Bundy as Marya D, Derek Robinson as Andrey/Bolkonsky, Jack Russell Richardson as Dolokhov, and Grace Hamashima as Sonya, plus an Ensemble that includes Meagan Chieppor, Kamilah Lay, Eric Sorrels, Becky Layko, Khoa Pham, Pedro Ka'awaloa, Jon Parker Douglas, and Elizabeth Galbraith (Theatre Raleigh at the Theatre Raleigh Arts Center at 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd. in Raleigh). VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBrPHqUNhtfRMWQ2Ej8Fxeg. 2022 MAIN-STAGE SEASON: https://theatreraleigh.com/2022-main-stage-season/. THE PRESENTER/VENUE: https://theatreraleigh.com/, https://www.facebook.com/TheatreRaleigh, https://www.instagram.com/theatre_raleigh/, https://twitter.com/theatreraleigh, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBrPHqUNhtfRMWQ2Ej8Fxeg. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://theatreraleigh.com/location-parking/. COVID REQUIREMENTS: https://theatreraleigh.com/covid-19-updates/. THE MUSICAL: https://www.concordtheatricals.com/p/17384/natasha-pierre-the-great-comet-of-1812, http://www.iobdb.com/Production/5632, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/natasha-pierre-the-great-comet-of-1812-506409, http://davemalloy.blogspot.com/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natasha,_Pierre_%26_The_Great_Comet_of_1812. THE COMPOSER, LYRICIST, AND PLAYWRIGHT: http://davemalloy.com/, http://www.iobdb.com/CreditableEntity/39664, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/dave-malloy-494711, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8472319/, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Malloy. TICKETS: $35 ($32.50 students, seniors, and active-duty military personnel), plus taxes and fees, except $28 per person for groups of six or more. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-832-9997, info@theatreraleigh.com, or boxoffice@theatreraleigh.com. PLEASE DONATE TO: Theatre Raleigh.

WHAT: Triangle Review is a FREE weekly e-mail performing-arts and film newsletter, edited and published by Robert W. McDowell since April 2001.

TO SUBSCRIBE: To start your FREE subscription today, sign up in the subscription box at the beginning of this e-mail; or e-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type SUBSCRIBE-TR in the Subject: line. TO UNSUBSCRIBE: E-mail RobertM748@aol.com and type UNSUBSCRIBE-TR in the Subject: line.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? E-mail all questions, comments, and Letters to the Editor to RobertM748@aol.com. For Letters to the Editor, please include a daytime telephone number in your e-mail.

COPYRIGHT: Editorial content in all formats © 2022 Triangle Review and the author of each article. Reproduction in any form without authorization of Triangle Review and the respective authors is prohibited. Triangle Review maintains an archive of past issues. To request copies of past articles and/or issues, e-mail RobertM748@aol.com.