I read War & Peace to prepare for Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. The action of the play involves about 70 pages of the 1,400-page book. But which pages? Actually, the portion of War & Peace covered by this play starts around page 1,012. Natasha (played by Denée Benton) is young and impetuous. Pierre drinks too much and has a scholarly air (well played by Josh Groban). Pierre is married to Helene (Amber Gray), a party girl. The action of the play revolves around the romantic elements of the characters. Much of the time, singers and dancers run up and down the aisles so there’s plenty of action to follow. Half the audience sits on stage (we chose not to) while the actors sometimes interacted with the audience members. The music, mostly Russian, pounds you with its intensity. My only quibble is that if i was the producer or director of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, I wouldn’t have Josh Groban sitting in the on-stage orchestra pit for most of the first half of the play. GRADE: B
It could have been better, that’s for sure. Right? At least you saw PRESENT LAUGHTER.
And I love the picture of you outside the theater.
Jeff, the audience was enthusiastic. PRESENT LAUGHTER tickled my funny bone!
Great picture, George. We liked the plays we saw in Stratford this year.
Patti, we’re planning to see some plays at the SHAW FESTIVAL next month.
This wouldn’t be at the top of my list to see. Present Laughter would be. I do like Josh Groban, ever since Ally McBeal.
I’m going to see Escape from Margaritaville next week for the second time. After La Jolla, it’s going to Houston, Chicago and NOLA on it’s way to Broadway.
There was one play in Buffalo we wanted to see, but the timing was wrong. sigh
Maggie, the SHAW FESTIVAL goes into October. Diane and I love to attend performances when the tourist season is over.
Was it worth reading 1400 pages for the 70 this play – which sounds way too enthusiastic for me – gave you?
Rick, yes and no. I was able to give Diane, Katie, and Patrick the back story to the characters. But, as you noted, 1,400 pages was a lot of reading!
This looks like the kind of play I would run to avoid!
Bob, if you like spectacle in a musical, NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 has it in spades!