The Power of Love

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Writers Theatre has once again brought Chicago audiences a musical that’s both thrilling to the eye and ear, while remaining deeply and unbelievably moving. Harkening back to the theatre’s extraordinary musical productions of both INTO THE WOODS and ONCE, this show will be remembered for its sweeping, immersive spectacle contrasted with an intimate, almost personal love story. Exquisitely Directed and Choreographed by Katie Spelman (Choreographer of Broadway’s, THE NOTEBOOK) and sumptuously Musical Directed by Matt Deitchman (Musical Director for this company’s INTO THE WOODS), this talented creative team is remembered for making ONCE sparkle and explode with romance and spectacle on the Writers stage. Once again they have worked their magic. 

Dave Molloy’s musical is a clever adaptation of a mere 70 pages from Leo Tolstoy’s epic historical novel, War and Peace. The picaresque libretto unravels like a 19th century soap opera. The episode, once referred to as “scandalous,” focuses on Natasha, a pretty, young and naive girl who’s betrothed to Andrey, a brave Russian soldier away fighting in the War. While Natasha and her cousin Sonya are in Moscow visiting her godmother, Marya, Natasha meets and falls in love with a womanizing rogue named Anatole. 

Meanwhile Pierre, a scholarly, but depressed, married man, spends his days alone at home reading book after book. Pierre feels like he’s wasting away and tries to find something to make his life worth living again. It’s through the power of love that this is eventually accomplished—punctuated by the spectacular astronomical appearance of the titular Great Comet. 

Written and orchestrated by Dave Molloy, the show is a stirring  and uniquely original sung-through musical. His “electropop opera” is particularly innovative. Musically, the show has a little something for everyone. There are Gilbert & Sullivan-like recitatives, Broadway-style ballads, snatches of Russian folk songs and drinking choruses, all merged with classical music and Indie Rock. Most of the musical accompaniment is provided by an onstage orchestra that remains hidden among the shadows of the set’s upper level. At times, however, members of the cast play various instruments and help provide the score’s percussive beat. Conducted by Associate Music Director Charlotte River-Hoster on piano, the music is rich with a full sound that always complements the talented actors.

And what a gifted cast this is! Like an episode of “Downton Abbey,” the story is populated with an array of fascinating characters. Beautiful Aurora Penepacker is captivating in the pivotal role of Natasha. Just beginning what I’m sure will be a glorious theatrical career, Aurora was sensational as Luisa in Citadel Theatre’s production of THE FANTASTICKS. As Natasha, she’s graceful, winsome and charming, but, as in life, not perfect. Natasha has a vain and selfish streak that 

Ms. Penepacker delicately plays to the hilt in Act II. 

Pierre is brilliantly brought to life by Chicago favorite, Evan Tyrone Martin (so excellent in, among other roles, as the titular lead of Paramount Theatre’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR). In Evan’s hands, this refined, wealthy and learned gentleman gradually evolves from a staid but genteel hermit, shut away with only his books for companions, into a man who finally discovers that the joy of life comes from living. His turning point arrives in a gorgeously sung revelatory 11th hour number entitled “Dust and Ashes.”

The entire program reads like a who’s who of Chicago’s finest musical performers. The  multitalented Joseph Anthony Byrd, so powerful in Writers’ recent production of THE HOT WING KING, makes a roguish, yet charming, Anatole. Shamelessly lusting for Natasha, Anatole, who’s also Pierre’s brother-in-law, does what he wants when he wants it. As played by the talented Mr. Byrd, this scoundrel walks a tightrope of being both charismatic and repellent.

Other favorites actors include one of the Windy City’s best-loved actresses, Bethany Thomas, as Moscow’s Grande Dame, Marya. Among her many, many wonderful roles, Ms. Thomas will be remembered for the Goodman’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Northlight’s SONGS FOR NOBODIES and as the Emcee of TEATRO ZINZANNI. Bri Sudia, who recently completed a Broadway run of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, was terrific in Paramount’s SWEENEY TODD, the Goodman’s WONDERFUL TOWN, TimeLine’s OSLO and Drury Lane’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Here she plays Helene, Anatole’s self-professed slutty sister. She also happens to be Pierre’s estranged wife who only married him for his money. Ms. Sudia becomes the conniving villainous you love to hate. Recently enjoyed as Countess Charlotte in Theo Ubique’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, lovely Maya Rowe is perfection personified as Natasha’s sweet cousin and selfless friend, Sonya.

In addition, this large cast includes several other incredible actor/singers. The handsome and multi-gifted Andrew Mueller plays Dolokhov, Anatole’s closest friend and another pleasure-loving scoundrel. He’s romatically involved with Helene, Pierre’s wife. Mr. Mueller recently played Gerry Goffin in Marriott’s production of BEAUTIFUL, and will be remembered for his excellent portrayal of Mark in Paramount’s RENT. Rob Lindley, seen of late in the Court Theatre’s ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD and the talented director of Northlight’s recent 2 PIANOS 4 HANDS, is excellent as crazy “old” Prince Bolkonsky, a querulous and unpleasant man, who makes the life of his daughter, Princess Mary (wonderfully played by Julia Wheeler Lennon) a living hell. Stellar performances are also given by talented Jonah D. Winston, as the troika driver, Balanga. And the always dazzling Sophie Grimm, Will Lidke and Matthew C. Yee fill out the ensemble, with Mr. Yee also playing Natasha’s betrothed, Andrey.

The technical team who helped bring this musical to life is yet another accomplished group of artists. Both gifted and talented in their own field of expertise, this group includes award-winning Scenic Designer Courtney O’Neill, who has created an immersive environment that will awe and astonish audiences with its beauty. Lighting Designer Yael Lubetzky is also returning to Writers Theatre after his work last season on ONCE. More than just illuminating the playing area and creating mood and atmosphere, at one point the artist turns O’Neill’s Napoleonic set into an eye-popping, pulsating, neon-lit disco. Raquel Adorno’s has dressed her cast in some especially elegant finery, Costumes from uniforms to ballgowns, negligees to hooded fur coats. And Eric Backus’ expert Sound Design is nicely balanced and fine-tuned so that the voices can be clearly heard above the instrumental accompaniment.

I have to admit that when I first saw this musical on Broadway seven years ago, with the original cast, I wasn’t all that impressed. The renovated theater and the radical staging of the show was clever, but I became lost among the many characters and intricately-detailed plot. The story being told was too confusing and, in the end, I just gave up.

 Writers Theatre is giving this bold piece of musical theatre a far more approachable production. Despite the intricate plot and the difficult Russian character names, this presentation is easy to follow and understand. Still keeping the play immersive, Ms. Spelman’s production remains accessible. The cast makes great use of the stairways and aisles throughout the audience. But the space isn’t so vast that theatergoers lose track of the characters. Kudos, especially, go to the designers of the printed program that every patron receives. In addition to providing the actors’ names and headshots, there’s a whimsical Great Comet Family Tree. This graphic ably allows the audience to fully understand who is related to whom. Katie Spelman’s magnificent production has Award-Winner written all over it. And, as a regional production of a rarely-experienced musical, this is one show this Fall that absolutely should not be missed.         

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 5-October 27 by Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, Illinois.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-242-6000 or by going to www.writerstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.