Theater News

Josh Groban to Make Broadway Debut in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

The musical retelling of Tolstoy’s ”War and Peace” will bring the popular singer-songwriter to the Great White Way.

Josh Groban will take Broadway in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.
Josh Groban will take Broadway in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.
(© David Gordon)

Josh Groban is headed to Broadway. The singer-songwriter will make his Broadway debut in September 2016 as Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, a musical retelling of Leo Tolstoy's War & Peace.

Created by Dave Malloy and directed by Rachel Chavkin, Natasha, Pierre was inspired by a slice of Tolstoy's great novel. It follows Natasha Rostova as she awaits the arrival of her fiancé from the frontlines and falls under the spell of Moscow and the city's most charming rogue. The immersive production began at Ars Nova in the fall of 2012 and later moved to a specially created venue called Kazino in the meatpacking district. After critical acclaim, producers decided to transfer the production and its custom venue to the theater district. The possibility of a Broadway transfer had been discussed in theater circles since. Cambridge, Massachusetts' American Repertory Theater is currently featuring a production of the musical, directed by Chavkin.

"I'm honored and excited to join the Great Comet family as it lands on the Great White Way," said Groban. "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."

Design team, ticketing info, venue, and additional casting will be announced at a later date.

The cast of the current American Repertory Theater production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.
The cast of the current American Repertory Theater production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.
(© Evgenia Eliseeva)