It’s been two years since Cygnet Theatre announced its postponement of the musical “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.” Now that it has finally arrived as the sparkling centerpiece of Cygnet’s 2024 season, it’s happily clear the show was worth the wait.
Making its West Coast premiere at the Old Town San Diego theater, the 2012 musical — billed as an “electropop opera” because it’s sung through without spoken dialogue — is stunningly directed by Cygnet artistic director Sean Murray, impeccably cast and choreographed and gorgeously designed.
Written by Dave Molloy, “Natasha, Pierre” is based on a 70-page chunk of Leo Tolstoy’s 1,400-page epic 1869 Russian novel “War and Peace.” (Cygnet delayed the production because it would’ve opened right after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022).
But “Natasha, Pierre” isn’t about war. It’s about the messy romantic entanglements of naive young countess Natasha Rostova, and the emotional awakening of the novel’s wastrel protagonist, nobleman Pierre Bezukhov (who is portrayed in this production as an older man).
Megan Carmitchel, Linda Libby, rear, and Selena Ceja in Cygnet Theatre’s “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.”
(Courtesy of Karli Cadel)
While Tolstoy’s novel is dead serious, “Natasha, Pierre” is a fast-paced, high-energy musical comedy with breakout dance numbers, an audience sing-along and wacky anachronistic elements (like a Mac laptop, electric guitar and neon-lit discoteque).
No knowledge of “War and Peace” is necessary tfor this show. The 10-member singing cast, many of whom play musical instruments, sing about their characters in the humorous “12 Days of Christmas”-style prologue — “Helene is a slut, Anatole is hot, Mary is old school, Sonya is good, Natasha is young ….” etc. Cygnet also hired Broadway theatrical artist Justin “Squigs” Robertson to design a family tree-style illustration of the characters for the program.
Selena Ceja, who has a large and lovely operatic voice and endearing stage presence, leads the cast as 19-year-old Natasha, who forsakes her absent fiancé Andrey for the handsome but deceptive womanizer Anatole, played with oozing wolfish charm by Michael Louis Cusimano.
Kürt Norby stars as Pierre in Cygnet Theatre’s “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.”
(Courtesy of Karli Cadel)
San Diego’s Kürt Norby gets a long-overdue lead role in this show as Pierre, who spends the first half of the show drinking and dozing at center stage until a duel reawakens him to the value of life and hard work. His superbly sung and riveting first-act solo “Dust and Ashes” stopped the show on opening night Saturday.
Megan Carmitchel is luminous as Natasha’s sweet cousin Sonya; Jasmine January is a delicious villainess as Pierre’s cheating wife Hélène; the always-watchable Brian Mackey plays both the elegant and aloof Andrey and his kooky, vile-tempered father, Bolkonsky; Linda Libby plays Natasha’s betrayed godmother Marya; and Tanner Vydos plays the troublemaker Dolokhov. Brittany Adriana Carrillo and Luke H. Jacobs complete the cast in multiple entertaining roles.
Michael Louis Cusimano as Anatole in Cygnet Theatre’s “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.”
(Courtesy of Karli Cadel)
The show’s score is varied and complex and music director Patrick Marion does some impressive heavy lifting overseeing the vocal performances and the six-member onstage orchestra, which he conducts from the keyboard, accordion and viola. Katie Banville created the playful Russian-inspired choreography, Shirley Pierson designed the vast and lavish collection of costumes; scenic designer Mathys Herbert designed the ultra-luxurious set, which features four rows of audience members onstage, in a nod to the immersive Broadway production.
Amanda Zieve designed the dazzling and celestial lighting and Matt Lescault-Wood designed the sound, which includes some synthetic electronic music that pulls the story from the early 1800s into the present.
“Natasha, Pierre” has its flaws. Some of its scenes feel tangential and run on too long. But overall, it’s a wildly entertaining show that’s a must-see for musical theater lovers.
‘Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812’
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through May 19
Where: Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego
Tickets: $44 and up
Phone: (619) 337-1525
Online: cygnettheatre.com