The hit off-Broadway electropop opera Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 may be flying out of the galaxy when it ends its limited run on September 2, but the innovative show will live on in a brand new cast album to be released later in 2013 by Ghostlight Records. The album was recorded at New York's MSR Studios on August 26.
Based on a most scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s Russian masterpiece War and Peace, Comet tells the story of a young girl named Natasha, who is betrothed to Andrey though he’s off at war. In his absence, Natasha strikes up a relationship with the attractive Anatole, whose rebellious nature causes Andrey’s best friend Pierre to be on alert to the budding romance.
The cast recording features David Abeles, Brittain Ashford, Gelsey Bell, Catherine Brookman, Nick Choksi, Ken Clark, Ashkon Davaran, Blake DeLong, Amber Gray, Luke Holloway, Dave Malloy, Grace McLean, Azudi Onyejekwe, Paul Pinto, Phillipa Soo, Lucas Steele, Shaina Taub, Mariand Torres and Lauren Zakrin.
Comet features a book, score and orchestrations by Dave Malloy, who also starred as Pierre in the show’s original cast. The show features direction by Rachel Chavkin, choreography by Sam Pinkleton, set design by Mimi Lien, costumes by Paloma Young, lighting by Bradley King and sound by Matt Hubbs.