The Great Comet: The Journey of a New Musical to Broadway

by Dave Malloy (Editor), Steven Suskin (Editor)

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of an award-winning musical!
Here is the official, fascinating, behind-the scenes journey of the new musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 , from its inception, to Off-Off Broadway, to Off-Broadway, to its premiere at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway. The musical is based on a dramatic 70-page slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace . Profusely illustrated, the book also includes an annotated script and a special CD with three songs from the Off-Broadway production and two all-new recordings for the Broadway production featuring Josh Groban with a 25-piece orchestra.

Genres: Nonfiction, Plays, Music, Theatre, Art, Coffee Table Books, History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 22, 2016

About the author

Dave Malloy is a composer/writer/performer/sound designer. He has written the music for eight musicals, including Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, an electropop opera based on War & Peace. Comet premiered at Ars Nova in the fall of 2012 before transferring Off-Broadway to Kazino, a Russian supper club built specially for the show; the show won multiple awards, including the Richard Rodgers Award and an OBIE. He is also one of the co-creators/performers of Three Pianos, a drunken romp through Schubert’s Winterreise that won an OBIE in 2010. Other musicals include Black Wizard / Blue Wizard, Beowulf – A Thousand Years of Baggage (2011 Edinburgh Herald Angel, 2008 Glickman Award), Beardo, Sandwich, and Clown Bible. He has won a Jonathan Larson Grant, an ASCAP New Horizons Award, and a NEA/TCG Grant for Theatre Designers; has been a Guest Professor in devised music theater at Princeton and Vassar Universities, and a Resident Artist at Ars Nova and Sundance's Ucross Foundation; and is the composer for Banana Bag & Bodice. He lives in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could tell you I like Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and that wouldn't cover it. I could tell you I love it, and that still wouldn't cover it. I could tell you that deep in the middle of the worst time of my life, I drove two hours each way to see it in a student theatre, finding myself sobbing at the closing number as I never had when just listening to the music, because Pierre thought his life was over and it wasn't, and maybe my life wasn't over either, and that might come close to explaining how I feel about this musical, this piece of art, this miracle.

So I was never going to give this book a bad rating anyway, but the extras were objectively pretty cool!

Aside from an annotated script where Dave Malloy explains his songwriting process and several of the choices he made, there are also notes and quotes from many cast members, including Philippa Soo, the original Natasha. The anecdotes from previous productions, including the silly substitutions the cast would make to lyrics and almost-disastrous onstage mistakes, are such fun little nuggets of trivia. And it's got a lot of pretty photos, which make a big difference if you've never been able to see the show live!

It's expensive, but I had a gift card, and it's my favorite musical. To me it was worth it.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much as he did with his previous work on 'The Book of Mormon', Suskin here brings his skills in delineating the long journey of 'The Great Comet' from funky off-off-Broadway sensation to big Broadway musical. The first half consists largely of brief essays by many of the primary creators of the show, some strictly personal, some more technical - such as describing the sound or various incarnations of the set design - and also contains a charming comic of an interlude done by cast member Nick Choksi. Although I haven't seen any of the 4 versions of the show, I'm a huge fan of the original cast CDs, so that reading these brought me much closer to an understanding of what seeing - or even being in it - entails. The second half is the script/libretto, annotated by creator Dave Malloy, and it is fascinating to see how he took Tolstoy's original prose and used it for his lyrics. The book is lavishly illustrated with full color photos and drawings throughout. Too bad the book went to print prior to the nasty court case between the original producers, Ars Nova, and the Broadway bigwigs who tried to deny them credit, but that would have probably brought the celebratory tone to a screeching halt! Also included is an EP of 5 songs from the show, two new ones sung by star Josh Groban, as well as three from the original CD. Quite a nice bargain when you can find copies for under $20!

Update on Sept. 1: the show has now garnered even MORE notoriety, due to the contretemps over the producers attempting to bolster flagging ticket sales by replacing the relatively unknown black actor who succeeded Groban with Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin, and the concomitant firestorm with cries of racism (despite the fact the role was ORIGINALLY played by a white actor, not to mention was white in Tolstoy's novel!). The brouhaha has caused the show to close prematurely, losing its entire capitalization.

Although I still hope to see the show live when and if it tours (the melee may have torpedoed such plans also), I have been able to watch a 'bootleg' of the entire show with the original cast online ... and as suspected, it is AMAZING!!!

[Kitkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book a lot more than I expected. I loved reading the lyrics of the songs on paper because I could really understand the meanings and the emotions. I loved learning the inspirations of the songs and everyone's opinion. I loved this book a lot more and I loved this broadway. I miss it so much! I want it back so badly!

[Lyd's Archive (7/'15 to 6/'18) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one definitely brought out the fangirl in me. I was probably heard laughing several times at Lucas's story (and I sure hope buying that expensive suit paid off), and despite the sentimentality of Pippa's and Denée's sections I did almost cry. Especially when she wrote this

There was one moment at the end of the show where I was the only actor offstage. I would go to the sound technician and put on her headphones. As the rest of the cast was singing "The Great Comet of 1812" I would listen to everyone individually through the headset. We were all so in tune with each other, such a strong ensemble, it was a beautiful reminder that I got to be a part of a group of extremely talented individuals, unique performers, all with a different story about how they came to Comet, all experiencing one singular moment in various ways. No one knows that I did this. Until now.

Though the creative team's chapters shouldn't be ignored and the fashion history nerd in me enjoyed what Paloma Young had to say, I found particularly the sound designer and the music supervisor's stories a bit too far on the technical side but as this is nonfiction there is such a thing called skimming. I used this to great effect and did not miss anything in the other sections.

The producers had interesting stories that are essential to knowing why the Great Comet took so long to get to Broadway and why it is where it is but only Pippa, Lucas, and Denée managed to make me feel something and I really appreciated that in them. In contrast to this books seeming forebearer Hamilton: the revolution it was nice to hear not only Pippa, Josh, Denée, Lucas, and Dave talk but also here short "letters" from other cast members past and present. Blake Delong, the original Andrey (who isn't here) had an especially interesting page on DJing during the club scene, and the technical mishaps that followed and it gave this book a bit more humanity that the Hamilton one did.

I don't particularly care for what I've heard of Josh Groban as Pierre and I feel he took too much attention away from Denée, judging by what I've read, but this book helped give things a little more context about that.

As for Dave's annotations, there is a bit of esoteric 90s music referenced here and there but for me all it did was reinforce just how nerdy he is, with a humorous lack of professionalism that makes him seem a little more human that Lin did ("I don't know what 'the ice hills are'... but I do know that I want to go there)

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to attempt to read War and Peace because of this book. . . I think that says everything.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helene is a slut! If you've talked to me in the last 2 1/2 years you've probably heard me talk about Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812- you've also probably heard of my struggles with War and Peace. I first heard The Prologue for The Great Comet and immediately thought "uhg that's messy". Then it kept popping up over and over in my Broadway station, I decided to listen to the whole show one night in my apartment in BCS with my cats and a bottle of wine. I lounged on my love seat and listened to the whole thing...at the end I was confused and a sobbing. I immediately told my three fave friends about it and they ignored my pleas for them to listen to it- (no worries I forced it on them eventually). I then ordered War and Peace and decided to start reading it...70 pages in I quit reading it. According to Google Music I've listened to the original cast recording of The Great Comet over 175 times...some songs more than others Charming, Sonya Alone...love.

This book is like the Hamilton Revolution book it tells the story of how Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 got to Broadway. It's not as dramatic a story as Hamilton's origin but it's fun and if you're a fan of the show a must-read. I remember that summer I became obsessed with this show I just couldn't stop listening to it and 3 or 4 months later the Hamilton soundtrack came out and I kept trying to convince everyone of the similarities- Phillipa Soo, duels, affairs....okay I feel like there were more, but anyways- it's so good!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following the Great Comet's journey to Broadway since I first heard "Prologue" about a year ago and was hooked from the first bar. It's ingenuity, and the amazing score captivated me. If The Great Comet is a portent of what Broadway shows will be like in the coming years then there are exciting times ahead!
For starters this book is absolutely gorgeous full of huge colour pictures, sketches, diagrams etc. The layout is also meticulous and beautiful. The annotated script which makes up the second half of the book is excellent in providing an insight into Dave Malloy's thoughts and writing process. I particularly enjoyed learning which lyrics had been directly pulled, or very closely translated, from the novel. I also really appreciated the inclusion of the relevant passages from War and Peace in these instances.
However for me, the best part of the book is probably the first half: essays written by various members of the cast, production team, and artistic team. Hearing from Dave Malloy and director Rachel Chavkin was of course very interesting, but I absolutely loved hearing from the creatives who are sometimes over looked but are absolutely vital to putting on an excellent theatrical production. Hearing from set designer Mimi Lien, costume designer Paloma Young, lighting designer Bradley King, and sound designer Nicholas Pope provided such a vital look at the challenges of staging such an unconventional show. Hearing from such a large range of people involved with The Great Comet really highlights just how special it is.

[HK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. I was lucky enough to see this show on Broadway. I remember getting the rush ticket and sobbing because I already loved the show so much. Reading this made me relive everything and reassure me in my love for music.
It shows the experience of bringing a completely different show to Broadway and changing all of the rules. I cannot put in to words how much this book has changed me.

[Bárbara Costa]

I stumbled upon this musical on my recent Theater kid relapse, coincidentally just after reading Book Two Part Five of War and Peace (which is adapted here). With roughly half of the book to go, this section was already a favorite (my husband can attest to that, having received way too many angry texts about Hélène and Anatole). Each listen exploded my brain a little bit more, as I gradually recognized snippets from the book, actual quotes that I had just highlighted with sticky notes. I don’t think I have ever experienced such a strong feeling that something so random was made specifically for me, but getting to know this gem while reading the book was an uncanny and delightful experience.
There is pure Tolstoy in the lyrics (they are often as untouched as possible, and the annotated script has many of the original text snippets, for comparison and additional context). Dave Malloy provides so many insights on his choices, and it’s amazing to see his thought process (I especially loved the reasoning behind the only spoken passage of the play, the emotional climax of the story, subverting the musical trope of “a character begins to sing because he can’t contain his emotions anymore”). It’s honestly genius to use existing gorgeous prose and combine with a mix of Russian folk/electropop Opera, resulting in such electrifying songs, where the chosen snippets perfectly distill the essence of each character.
On a side note, it’s crushing how this was written while the play was on Broadway, but it got such an abrupt end, and now it’s not available basically anywhere. Can’t wait for Portugal to suddenly start having a musical scene and have a Great Comet run so I can experience it in full scale, at last.
There is no released pro-shot version as of now (one can dream), so I had to watch the actual musical through a good ol’ slime tutorial (impressively edited, and you can tell it was loving and painstakingly made. The comment section was a rare Internet deep well of positivity, with many “May you never step on a Lego” and “May your pillow always be cold on both sides”). Going from the blurry pixelated footage to these high-quality large pictures was quite a treat (the costumes look so beautiful and flashy, when you can actually see them in non-bootlegged resolution). The tech team was also so cool to get to know - there were so many unique challenges due to the immersive staging, lighting and sound design, that this having existed at all does feel like nothing short of a miracle, and a testament to how talented all of the people involved were.
I loved seeing the notes from the cast (even actors from previous runs), and learning how basically everyone is performing many roles (acting and playing instruments) throughout the play. The detailed interview with Josh Groban and cast essays are also wonderful - Phillipa Soo is really a dear. I’m so glad she workshopped No One Else with Dave, and then went to have such success with Hamilton – and this way we got Denée as Natasha (my absolute favorite portrayal of her. Denée's rendition of No One Else completely captures her innocent yet graceful character, and has made weepy many times now). Mandatory shoutout to Rachel Chavkin (I actually found out about this after being mesmerized by her Hadestown staging and looking up more of her work) and to Lucas Steele – his portrayal of Anatole was the only thing that made me somehow like the character, despite his despicable actions (but general shoutout to all actors, I don’t think there is a single weak link in the cast – everyone completely understood the assignment and gave it their all, with even their voices – from gruff to gentle, sultry to chaste - perfectly suiting their characters).
Probably the only Broadway book I’ll ever own, but I treasure all media I can get on this absolute gem. Truly lightning in a bottle kind of stuff.

Maybe he'll come today
Maybe he came already
And he's sitting in the drawing room
And I simply forgot

[ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 stars

Dang so I got this for Christmas and it's SO cool - I've started sort of collecting this musical books lol. Great Comet is just... *fanatic sigh* so GOOD and so different from all of the other Broadway musicals I've gotten into - I doubt I'll ever find anything with the same vibes as Great Comet.

Great Comet honestly deserved SO MUCH better and if they ever revive it you can bet I'll sell my soul to be there (I've watched the bootleg on Youtube and it is freakin perfect). Dave Malloy's annotations were so cool and tbh Dave is just such a mood (I saw him recently at the Great Comet Ars Nova thing and he's just SO WILD). I also didn’t know so much of it was so similar to the book, it was really cool seeing which lines were verbatim from the book.

I can't wait to try out the CD that's in the back of the book - though I think it'll be about the same as the OBC recording lol

[Savannah Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

I wish this book had had more annotations than what I had already read on Genius, but oh well. There were still really interesting essays and Lucas Steele and exclusive annotations, one of which FINALLY helped me understand the characters' ages.

Either way, this was basically another excuse for me to listen to the soundtrack and find out more about this musical. It feels right for this to be the last book I read in 2017.

[Eva B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable mixture of character studies, annotated scripts, and theatre history bundled up into one book. Read in preparation for seeing the show and it made me all the more excited (and reminded me how much I want to finish War and Peace.)

[Tess Ranieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!! It gives me insight on 1 of my fav musicals!! Def recommend buying the book and giving the cast album a listen!!!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812" on Broadway -- and in fact am going back to NY to see it again, hopefully with Josh Groban in the lead role. So it's not surprising that I really enjoyed this wonderful book about the creation of the musical. In a style similar to "The Hamiltome," which lays out the process of creating Hamilton and also provides annotated lyrics, "The Great Comet" gives an extensive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of this innovative new play. And in addition to the dozens of photographs from past and present productions, it includes a CD with five songs from the show. I was particularly impressed to learn how many of the lyrics are direct quotes from War and Peace, and to learn about the decisions behind every aspect of this fabulous production. Reading it might not have made so much sense before I saw the show the first time, but it will really enhance seeing it a second (or third?) time.

I don't usually give out star ratings, but this one is a five.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book outlining the show's journey from a small 87 seat theatre to Broadway's Imperial Theatre, where I saw it. The show also previously played in a tent, first in the Meat Packing Disctrict, and then in the empty lot beside the Imperial Theatre. The show grew in size with each venue.

Also included is the script with annotations. Each contributor to the show from the author/composer to director, choreographer and main cast members were enlightening and interesting to read. Highly recommended if you are a fan of the show. If you haven't seen it, go! You don't have to be a fan of War and Peace to enjoy the concept of this show. The transformation of the theatre into a Russian supper club is amazing. I have never seen such art direction in a theatre before. The designed deserved the Tony award she won for this. There is so much going on that it's difficult to catch it all in one viewing. A feast for the eyes and ears.

The 5 songs on the CD that's included in the book give listeners a nice sampling of some of the shows best. My favorites are "Charming" and "Balaga"

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already obsessed with this show, but this book made me much more appreciative of the technical aspects that make this such a game-changing piece of theater. And the inclusion of the full script with annotations from Dave Malloy -- fast becoming one of my favorite composers -- is so full of enthusiasm for Tolstoy that I want to pick up WAR AND PEACE sooner rather than later.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Great Comet: The Journey of a New Musical to Broadway is an enjoyable collection of interviews and essays from the casts and creative teams attached to the various productions of Dave Malloy's musical, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, based on a small section of Tolstoy's War and Peace. Not only is this gargantuan book helpful - whether one has or hasn't seen the show - in providing a better understanding of the thought processes behind the show's creation, but (much like Natasha, Pierre itself) it's excessively entertaining. The gorgeous, eye-popping photographs alone make the pages worth a flip-through, and the various notes from the cast- and team-members are all worth reading.

The very last section of the book consists in a complete libretto of the show, with annotations. (I freely admit to skipping most of the libretto itself, as I've already got it memorized.) The annotations are worth more than a skim: for those who have read (and loved) War and Peace, Malloy's acknowledgments of the changes he made from the novel are an immense relief - at least they were to me, in that they demonstrated he had in fact read the book all-through, was aware of the show's 'inaccuracies' as to storyline and timing, and in part made up for these by way of various hints and 'Easter Eggs' throughout the show. Funny enough, the one (possibly the biggest) 'inaccuracy' that no-one seems inclined to acknowledge is the simple fact that Andrei did not spend 1811-1812 at war, but spent that year traveling for his health, seeking out a tutor for his son, and generally trying to appease his father by delaying his wedding with Natasha. I don't know why this is the show's Deep Dark Secret, but there it is.

For those who haven't read War and Peace, Malloy's annotations (and the show itself) are practically begging (or luring?) them to finally 'bite the bullet' (as if reading this beautiful, entertaining, heartrending novel were some sort of torture?) and Just Read the Thing Already, by tossing out various quotations and tidbits from the book.

Indeed, it's nigh impossible to understand Natasha, Pierre without having read War and Peace. Not to mention you'll never know what in fact happens to all these characters until you do read it.

Yes, that was a shameless Tolstoy plug. Guess what else is a shameless Tolstoy plug? Dave Malloy's brilliant musical Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, as well as this big ol' honkin' companion coffee-table volume. Enjoy.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

"They say we are asleep/Until we fall in love/ We are children of dust and ashes/But when we fall in love we wake up/And we are God/And angels weep/ But if I die here tonight/ I die in my sleep."

I don't have many regrets in life, but not making it to New York to see this live is near the top. Initially I was brought to the show via Josh Groban being cast as Pierre, but as I started listening to the original cast recording, in the pre-Broadway form, sans Groban, I fell in love! The diverse styles, the blind casting, the clash of new and old, all of it made for brilliant experience!

Learning about the development of such a unique stage experience was amazing, but I REALLY enjoyed the annotated script. It was great to see how much of the show was directly from Tolstoy and how some of it came word for word from the novel. (As someone who has read ALL of War and Peace, I hated it because the battle scenes seemed to drag on relentlessly, without progressing the story. The social scenes I loved and will admit to Tolstoy's ability to write lyrically beautiful texts.) I really enjoyed seeing the development from concept, to lyrics, to musical before my eyes. The pictures were beautiful, capturing a fragment of the brilliant musical and giving a taste of what the real life performance would be.

I can only hope that some day in the future someone decides to do a revival.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of beautiful pictures, interesting behind-the-scenes information and a detailed annotated script. Clearly changes were made between the book’s publication and the final Broadway production - a whole aria for Natasha has been cut, as well as smaller alterations within individual songs.

It’s such a shame that The Great Comet burned out quicker than anticipated on Broadway and I hope there will be many revivals in future (and that I finally get to see one instead of just listening to the soundtrack on repeat).

[Heather Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the show twice on Broadway! I have loved musical theatre for as long as I can remember, well since my parents took me to see Annie when I was 8 years old. Dave Malloy is a genius and the music that accompanies this Tolstoy story is nothing less than spectacular!!

[Trevor Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this the night before seeing the closing performance. No better compilation of theatre essays or annotated libretto exists to my knowledge, but I admittedly have not read the Wicked Grimoire; bless Dave Malloy and Rachel Chavkin for this masterpice

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this years ago and it was fun to revisit it. I especially appreciated being able to read the libretto and read the excerpts while listening to the music. A great companion to a fantastic musical!

[Mija · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous. I love this show far too much. I cried a few times reading it because how could I not?

[Lizzy Seitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite musicals after getting to see it on Broadway and so getting to know even more about it was wonderful! Also the annotated script was amazing to read❤

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

practicing some revisionist history to say great comet won best musical 2017

[Myranda Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems to me / that this comet feels me / feels my softened and uplifted soul / and my newly melted heart, now blossoming / into a new life

In case anyone was curious.

[Kat Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, incredible, amazing, showstopper, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before-

[Félise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This show sounds so fun. I'm even more resolved to read "War and Peace" now.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read which brought back lovely memories of this amazing show. It was nice to get an in depth look at the process of creating this musical. The annotated notes show how close the show was to the source material. Love the pictures and the memories of the cast and crew.

[Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5