Vodka anyone? Broadway raises a toast to the success of this breathtaking musical

Fun Facts: The Comet celebrates over 20 Broadway debuts between the cast and crew including Writer, Director and both leads!

Target Audience: If you love music, yes. If you love pretty shiny things, yes. If you love fun debauchery, absolutely!

Best Bit: Josh Groban singing "Dust and Ashes". WOW!

Morning After Effect: A Broadway hangover from the indulgence of story, song, lights and chaos!

Verdict: Go! Go now before the tickets are astronomical.

After tremendous success Off Broadway, Dave Malloy's production has finally landed on Broadway where it belongs! This production is so beautiful I don't know where to begin... Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 is truly spectacular and exceeded all expectation. From the moment we entered the Imperial Theatre we were transported into a magical world!

Let me begin with the gorgeous lighting and set design which are characters of the show in their own right. Mimi Lien's set starts in the lobby where it looks like you are going into an underground nightclub during the cold war but as you enter the auditorium you are met with plush red velvet curtains and walls that are adorned with portraits and mirrors from floor to ceiling. Elaborate chandeliers descend from the ceiling throughout the room. Pure extravagance! Lien's fantastic set has disjointed the orchestra on the multilevel stage so that a portion of the audience sits in between them with cafe style tables and chairs while the rest are seated on tiered banquettes. Nothing makes sense but it is wonderful! I made sure we booked seats on the stage but I guarantee you, no matter where you are in the house you are in the action!

"It was such a moving experience as everyone in the room was mesmerized by the comet and it felt as if it would explode at any moment."

And then the lights... Bradley King has hundreds of individual light bulbs, grand chandeliers and dimmable lamps that constantly move and adjust to the pace of the show, a stunning lighting choreography which builds to the intense grand finale of the brightly lit comet. It was such a moving experience as everyone in the room was mesmerized by the comet and it felt as if it would explode at any moment. While King and Lien are no strangers to theatre, this is their first Broadway production and a tremendous way to make their mark!

The cast hands out little goodies as the show is about to start and they insist you read the program to familiarize yourself with the plot. An accordion then accompanies them with a few notes as they urge you again - though this time in song - to read the program! We are thrust into the show with this song, aptly titled Prologue - an complicated cumulative song that introduces all the characters:

"There's a war going on out there somewhere and Andrey isn't here... This is on your program, you are at the opera, you're going to have to study up a little bit if you want to keep up with the plot. It's a complicated Russian novel everyone's got nine different names so look it up in your program, we appreciate it thanks a lot..."

To summarize the characters: Natasha is young, Andrey isn't here, Sonia is good, Marya is old school, Anatole is hot, Elaine is a slut, Dolokov is fierce, Bolkonsky is crazy, Mary is plain and Balaga is just for fun! Prologue sets the tone for a crazy, wild and unpredictable story!

Dave Malloy ( Music, Lyrics, Book, Orchestrations) was inspired by Leo Tolstoy's renowned novel War and Peace. The famous Russian novel follows five tsarist families in Moscow during the French invasion. It has been translated into many different languages and is just 1440 pages though Malloy's production was drawn from just 70 of those! If you look back at Malloy's previous work you will see he has a fascination with fantasy through intoxicated eyes and iIt certainly leaves no boundaries, instead allowing for a great sense of freedom, flamboyance and BIG emotions! This show sparkles in every moment from gorgeous glittery gowns, feathers and fur to leather and LED light- up shoes! The Great Comet is one of the most spectacular shows I have ever seen.

"The Great Comet is one of the most spectacular shows I have ever seen!"

The cast is incredibly talented, the direction perfect and with so many Broadway debuts it all adds to the commitment and enthusiasm needed to make this show a success. I have no doubt it will be huge. Leading lady Denee Benton (Natasha) also celebrates her debut with a role she assumed would be given to a white actress. She is unbelievable! When she had her final bow she looked at Josh Groban (Pierre) with an ear-to-ear smile and I burst into tears - you can feel her passion and love that has gone into this role.

And incase you were wondering, Josh Groban is brilliant! He has a voice that sings to your soul. During his performance of Dust and Ashes he sings "And I'm so ready to wake up now. I'm ready. I'm ready!" As he hits his last note he thrusts himself up onto his toes giving this song, and this role, his everything. He is not just ready for Broadway with this debut, he belongs! Josh Groban, welcome to Broadway!

View our show pages for more information about Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Imperial Theater.