{"id":53966,"date":"2023-04-09T12:51:35","date_gmt":"2023-04-09T16:51:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=53966"},"modified":"2023-04-10T22:35:54","modified_gmt":"2023-04-11T02:35:54","slug":"emu-one-of-first-u-s-universities-to-present-natasha-pierre-the-great-comet-of-1812","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2023\/emu-one-of-first-u-s-universities-to-present-natasha-pierre-the-great-comet-of-1812\/","title":{"rendered":"EMU one of first U.S. universities to present \u2018Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eastern Mennonite University is making history as one of the first universities in the country to present \u201cNatasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812,\u201d a two-time Tony Award-winning musical that takes place on Friday-Saturday, March 31-April 1, 2023 @ 7 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, April 13-15, 2023 @ 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 16, 2023 @ 2 p.m. in EMU\u2019s Blackbox Theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy\u2019s \u201cWar and Peace,\u201d <\/em>this \u201clively, intelligent and utterly engrossing\u201d (Time Out New York)<\/em> sung-through musical adaptation by celebrated composer Dave Malloy premiered at Ars Nova in New York City in 2012. It debuted Off-Broadway the same year and on Broadway in 2016. Audience engagement has always been part of the show, and EMU Theater\u2019s production is no exception. Breaking down barriers between audience and actors, this immersive experience features a cast of 11 students, alumni, faculty\/staff, and community members singing and dancing to and with theatergoers who are seated around tables and an octagonal bar with an orchestra pit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a cabaret caf\u00e9-like environment, and the workers of the cabaret caf\u00e9 are serving up popcorn and non-alcoholic drinks and telling the story of \u2018Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812\u2019 from \u2018War and Peace\u2019\u201d<\/em> said EMU Theater faculty director Justin Poole.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova\u2014played by junior Spanish language & Hispanic studies and writing studies double major Hannah Landis<\/strong> (3\/31, 4\/13 and 4\/15) and junior political science and sociology double major Greta Schrag<\/strong> (4\/1, 4\/14 and 4\/16)\u2014arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fianc\u00e9 from the front lines. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, Pierre\u00ad\u2014played by alumnus math major and music minor Joe Seitz \u201922<\/strong>\u2014to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt a base level, it\u2019s a fun show to be in and watch,\u201d said Schrag, who is preparing for her vocally-challenging role with the help of EMU voice teacher Olivia Rominiyi<\/strong>. \u201cAt a deeper level, it\u2019s a story about love and humanity and what it means to physically interact with the people around you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cast members perform the role of one or two named characters and in the ensemble, wearing costumes that combine period and punkish-style elements\u2014and singing songs that combine the feel of Indie folk-rock and electronic dance music with Russian folk and classical sounds, according to music directors Angela Clemens <\/strong>and Jim Clemens.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rounding out the artistic staff are EMU students Alexis Lewis and Sarah Peak<\/strong> (stage managers), EMU faculty\/staff members Shannon Dove<\/strong> (scene design) and Rachel Herrick <\/strong>(costume design), EMU alum and graduate student Hailey Holcomb \u201917<\/strong> (production assistant), EMU alumnus and guest lighting designer Robert Weaver \u201918,<\/strong> and resident choreographer Ellie de Waal.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets are $18-$20. For tickets, visit www.emu.edu\/box-office<\/a> or call the EMU Box Office at (540) 432-4582.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNatasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812\u201d is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.<\/em> <\/em>www.concordtheatricals.com<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NOTE: Paul Pinto, who originated the role of Balaga and was the associate music director in the Broadway production of \u201cNatasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812,\u201d will be the talkback speaker following the April 15 @ 7 p.m. and April 16 @ 2 p.m. performances.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812′ Cast                                                      <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Natasha Rostova | Hannah Landis <\/strong>and Greta Schrag<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pierre Bezukhov | Joseph Seitz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sonya Rostova | Afton Rhodes-Lehman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marya Dmitriyevna | Holly Hanks Wanta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anatole Kuragin | Adam Hoover<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andre Bolkonsky\/Old Prince Bolkonsky | Jacob Nissley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balaga | Bradley Kirkdorffer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Bezukhova | Eileen Hernon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fedya Dolokhov | Marc Dowdy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mary Bolkonsky\/Female Opera Singer | Grace Altman<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eastern Mennonite University is making history as one of the first universities in the country to present \u201cNatasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812,\u201d a two-time Tony Award-winning musical ... read more about EMU one of first U.S. universities to present \u2018Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812\u2019<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":292,"featured_media":53967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[266,7931,5583,14184,14715,5861,17562,5147,5730],"tags":[17871],"feature":[17427,17426,17241],"class_list":["post-53966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-arts","category-campus-community","category-campus-guests","category-campus-life","category-conferences-and-events","category-digest","category-theater","category-undergraduate-programs","tag-theatre","feature-emu-home-page-feature","feature-myemu-feature","feature-news-feature"],"yoast_head":"\nEMU one of first U.S. universities to present \u2018Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812\u2019 - 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