The reviews for Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 are in, and the critical responses come from all parts of the sky: some compare it favorably to Hamilton while others claim it has no heart and is too difficult to follow. Written by Dave Malloy and directed by Rachel Chavkin, the epic musical is based on parts of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” but told with edgy elements like immersive staging and electronica music. The critics widely disagree about the musical’s merit, but undeniable to all is the excellence of its spectacular design and of its leading performances by Denée Benton (Natasha) and Josh Groban (Pierre). Both Broadway rookies, their performances defy expectations…especially Groban, who offers extraordinary emotional depth to go with his always sumptuous vocals. Now add your voice to the conversation – is it the next Broadway masterpiece or an experiment that’s yet to find itself?
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