NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

By Dave Malloy
Directed by Jeanne Everton
Music Direction by Mark Mullino
Vocal Supervisor, Natalie Mitchell
Choreographer, Stephanie Locker-Hall
Produced by Texas Wesleyan Theatre, Fort Worth

Texas Wesleyan Theatre, Fort Worth
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Audience Rating: G
Running Time: 2 ½ hours with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: Prop weapons, flashing lights

A virtual buffet of delight is laid out in Texas Wesleyan’s 69th Annual Spring Musical presentation of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Director Jeanne Everton gives us a talented group of young actors who sing, dance, and guide us through Dave Malloy’s musical based on Tolstoy’s War & Peace. Costumers Nicole Ellis & Karen Potter, along with Scenic Designers Joe Allen Brown and Everton take us to Moscow in 1812 just before Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.

Young and newly engaged Natasha Rostova (Abigale Hunt) and her cousin & best friend Sonya (Grace Philipbar) arrive in Moscow to be chaperoned by Marya D, Natasha’s godmother (Madison McKinzie) until Andrey (Hayden Kirkbride) returns from the war front to his betrothed. Natasha is sent to meet Old Prince Bolkonsky, her fiancee’s father (also played by Hayden Kirkbride), and his daughter Mary, who is plain, (Abigaile Webb). The following evening, the girls go to the opera where they meet Helene, the slutty wife of Pierre (Peri Zachmeyer) and her hot roguish brother Anatole (Nicholas Keel), who sweeps Natasha off her feet. Dolokhov (David Henry Bates-Valentine) is a friend of Anatole & lover of Helene, resulting in a duel between Dolokhov and Pierre (Chase Di Iulio). Balaga the famous troika driver (Ian Kooistra) is mentioned in the program and lyrics as being “just for fun” and every moment he is onstage is truly fun. Rounding out the cast is the Ensemble of Moscow including Trinity Chenault, Hunter Heart, Mercedes Kuhn, and Jackson Loya.

The heart of this musical is The Great Comet Band led by Music Director Mark Mullino who also plays keyboard. Chris Crotwell is also on keyboard, with Sal Bollinger on Bass, Randy Honeycutt on Clarinet, and Michael Ptacin on Drums. Long for a musical at 2 ½ hours (well it is based on War & Peace) the energetic choreography of Stephanie Locker-Hall and the music and lyrics keep things moving.