NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Previews — Page 20

I saw the show at today's matinee. I was sitting in the second Row on the aisle of the Banquettes. I thought the seat was perfect. As I sat down, I did make a comment that the tables and stage seating below the banquettes sucked. Banquettes seem to be the best seating in my opinion.

As for the show itself, I enjoyed the show but I have no idea what the story was about other than a few things I will keep to myself, so not to spoil the show for others. I did admire the originality and creativity of the staging of the show and how the actors moved throughout the audience. I loved the concept of the show, but I just wish the score was better to fully comprehend the story. It felt more like a Las Vegas show instead of a Broadway show to me.

SarahNYC2 said: "I went to the matinee yesterday. Bought my ticket on Monday so didn't have much choices. I was in Seat 1, row c section 2 of rear/center mezzanine. It was a great seat. I got a dumpling. I got a shaker (whole row got shakers). Could see everything, and was on the aisle so it was fun seeing the ensemble up and down the aisle.

Really glad I got to see it.



"

If you were at Friday's matinee. You probably saw me on stage. I was the one that Anatole pushed me m to make a spot to sit down.

I don't understand the people who claim that the show isn't well written. I think that Malloy has written a brilliantly complex and original score that is entirely unique. I loved DEH and I thought that the score was memorable and melodic, but it wasn't anything particularly new or innovative, especially in the orchestrations, but I found the Great Comet score to be fascinating. Yes, the staging is flashy, but the score is also great.

Chiming in to agree w/ Auggie27 and icecreambenjamin. I've long been a fan of the score and the storytelling, but seeing it in person was just that much better. Beyond that, it's sung and performed beautifully by the cast. The ensemble vocal arrangements are just gorgeous.

Has anyone rushed this recently? I'm planning to try for the Wed matinee and am trying to figure out what time to arrive.

I couldn't find the thread that covers the Great Comet cast album, but I have heard from a friend of mine that plays in the band that they're recording their cast album this week.

Edit: Apparently they recorded it yesterday at Avatar.

Updated On: 1/31/17 at 04:25 PM

Saw this yesterday (Thanks, Broadwayweek). Walked up to the theatre and found several pieces of paper taped all around [the front doors, the inside doors, the box office window and the understudy board] all saying Josh Groban would be out. Not a huge fan of his, neither is my friend (we both know his work, though, and know he has a beautiful voice), we were there for the show so saw it anyway.

We both left rather upset we wasted our money on this production. Not even Groban could have saved it. The first act was so incredibly boring (aside from the prologue, which I loved), I found myself nodding off. On the bus ride in, my friend and I were talking about how we've never left a show at intermission before. When the house lights came up we looked at each other and said "so....remember that conversation we had earlier today?" as we contemplated staying for the 2nd act. We stayed. To my surprise (not so much my friends) the 2nd act was much better. The story finally picked up and the numbers were much better. This is where I ended up missing Groban, though, as Pierre had several solos; I saw Scott Stangland whom I thought acted the part wonderfully but his singing fell flat.

What was that whole strobe light number in the first act? Maybe I'm missing something but I found the direction in the first act to be all over the place. On the plus side, I got a (real) dumpling (yes, a dumpling...not a pierogi...the cast member called it that too. do they usually give pierogies? i saw it mentioned in the playbill) which was delicious and a (fake) egg! lol. All in all, I will not be recommending this show to anyone.

Updated On: 2/6/17 at 11:12 AM

I've been scouring this thread and keep losing my place, so I apologize if this question has been answered before. Between the orchestra, on stage seating, and mezzanine - where do you have the best overall view of the show? I'm leaning towards the Mezz, but also wanted to ask about Front Mezzanine - Right, Left, and then the R Center and L Center and where the best view or place to sit is there.

Any feedback you have would be helpful. I'll eventually want to sit on stage for that experience, but for a first viewing my dad and I would prefer to have the best "overall" view. Thanks!

Updated On: 2/14/17 at 02:31 PM

Besides the initial ART discount code that included onstage seating, have there been any others? Any codes that I see are for orchestra and mezz.

sorano916 said: "Besides the initial ART discount code that included onstage seating, have there been any others? Any codes that I see are for orchestra and mezz.

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For February, try code gcbox1117. There's another one through April that Playbill has but I can't remember.

I finally saw this last night, and while when walking in I almost got a refund, because Denee and Lucas were out, I am so glad that I didn't. Lauren Zakrin is absolutely astounding as Natasha. I think hers was my favorite performance, she absolutely blew me away. She brought this amazing naivety to Natasha, and then was equally heartbreaking in the second act. Her No One Else was absolutely sublime, but Pierre and Natasha is where she really shined. Josh Canfield was equally spectacular as Anatole, and Josh Groban is understandably terrific as Pierre; his Dust and Ashes was one of the highlights of the night. Amber Gray and Brittain Ashford were both wonderful; Charming is one of my favorite numbers in the score, and Amber was phenomenal. I absolutely adored the show, and I think it's my favorite of the season.

Hairspray0901 said: "Saw this yesterday (Thanks, Broadwayweek). Walked up to the theatre and found several pieces of paper taped all around [the front doors, the inside doors, the box office window and the understudy board] all saying Josh Groban would be out. Not a huge fan of his, neither is my friend (we both know his work, though, and know he has a beautiful voice), we were there for the show so saw it anyway.

We both left rather upset we wasted our money on this production. Not even Groban could have saved it. The first act was so incredibly boring (aside from the prologue, which I loved), I found myself nodding off. On the bus ride in, my friend and I were talking about how we've never left a show at intermission before. When the house lights came up we looked at each other and said "so....remember that conversation we had earlier today?" as we contemplated staying for the 2nd act. We stayed. To my surprise (not so much my friends) the 2nd act was much better. The story finally picked up and the numbers were much better. This is where I ended up missing Groban, though, as Pierre had several solos; I saw Scott Stangland whom I thought acted the part wonderfully but his singing fell flat.

What was that whole strobe light number in the first act? Maybe I'm missing something but I found the direction in the first act to be all over the place. On the plus side, I got a (real) dumpling (yes, a dumpling...not a pierogi...the cast member called it that too. do they usually give pierogies? i saw it mentioned in the playbill) which was delicious and a (fake) egg! lol. All in all, I will not be recommending this show to anyone.



I had the same exact experience...a waste of $59 and my time. This was absolutely dreadful and not a cohesive production overall. It's a mess! It's supposed to be a period piece and then suddenly there are people dancing on stage and wearing neon sneakers? Ugh. I can't. I left at intermission. A true mess, no depth. Pure garbage.

Right- I mean, you're allowed to not like it, but I don't see how anyone could think the show is period in any meaningful way after watching 30 seconds of the prologue.