Okieriete Onaodowan joins The Great Comet tonight

Okieriete "Oak" Onaodowan assumes the leading role of Pierre in the hit musical Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 at Broadway's Imperial Theatre tonight. He will remain with the production for a limited engagement through to September 4, 2017.

Onaodowan, best known for originating the roles of 'Hercules Mulligan' and 'James Madison' in Hamilton, takes over the role from Tony nominee Josh Groban and the show's creator Dave Malloy, who played their final performances in the role on July 2 and July 9, respectively.

Onaodowan's Broadway credits include 'Hamilton,' 'Rocky,' and 'Cyrano de Bergerac.' Off-Broadway work includes 'Hamilton' (at The Public Theater), 'Luce,' (at Lincoln Center Theater), 'Neighbors' (at The Public), and Young Jean Lee's 'The Shipment.'

The principal cast of Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 includes Tony nominee Denée Benton (Natasha), Okieriete Onaodowan (Pierre), Ingrid Michaelson (Sonya), Amber Gray (Helene), Grace McLean (Marya D), Tony nominee Lucas Steele (Anatole), Gelsey Bell (Princess Mary), Nicholas Belton (Bolkonsky/Andrey), Nick Choksi (Dolokhov), and Paul Pinto (Balaga).

The Broadway premiere of Dave Malloy's musical Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, directed by Tony nominee Rachel Chavkin, began previews at Broadway's Imperial Theatre on October 18, 2016, before an official opening on November, 14. The show is currently booking through to January 7, 2018.

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 creative team behind Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 features musical direction by Or Matias, music supervision by Sonny Paladino, scenic design by Mimi Lien, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Bradley King, and sound design by Nicholas Pope.

At The 71st Annual Tony Awards, the production was nominated for a total of 12 Tony Awards and took home the trophies for "Best Scenic Design of a Musical" and "Best Lighting Design of a Musical."

Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 is produced on Broadway by Howard & Janet Kagan and Paula Marie Black.