Groban to make B'way debut in The Great Comet of 1812

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

Grammy nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban will make his Broadway debut as Pierre in Dave Malloy's musical Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, directed by Rachel Chavkin, which will begin performances in September 2016.

Mr. Groban released the following statement:

"I'm honored and excited to join The Great Comet family as it lands on the Great White Way. I've admired this brilliant piece of work and its creators for a long time. It's an imaginative and immersive show and a role that is fascinating to me on many levels. I'm thrilled to call it my first on Broadway and I hope everyone will join us."
Synopsis: "Based on a most scandalous chapter of Leo Tolstoy's Russian masterpiece 'War and Peace,' the musical 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. Dave Malloy's adaptation of this 70-page slice of 'War and Peace' puts audiences just inches away from Tolstoy's brash young lovers, as they light up Moscow in an epic tale of romance and passion."

The show has enjoyed off-Broadway incarnations of at Ars Nova (2012), Kazino (2013) and the Theater District (2013) and is currently playing a limited engagement at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts through to 3 January 2016. For this production the show's signature intimate staging has been re-designed to fit a traditional proscenium-style theatre.

Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 is produced on Broadway by Howard & Janet Kagan and Paula Marie Black. Further casting, creative team, dates and venue information will be announced at a later date.

Josh Groban has released 7 studio albums to date, including his most recent album "Stages" which is comprised of Groban's favourite showtunes. He has previously appeared in the 2003 Actors Fund performance of 'Chess,' as well as the 2008 London concert version. His screen credits include "Glee," "Ally McBeal," "Crazy, Stupid, Love.," "The Hollars," and "Muppets Most Wanted."

- by Tom Millward

Josh Groban

Originally published on

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