Darlinghurst Theatre Company has announced the cast of the Tony Award-winning electro-pop opera Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 written by composer and lyricist Dave Malloy. Based on a scandalous slice of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is directed by Dean Drieberg (Hamilton) and opens to the public at Eternity Playhouse on 9th July and runs until 20th August.
Following a critically exalted premiere at Ars Nova in New York City, a subsequent Off-Broadway transfer, and an acclaimed run on Broadway, this exhilarating musical theatre production is set to make its mark by offering a high-energy and immersive experience.
Promising a visceral experience, Drieberg has curated an impressive cast to bring this reimagined story to life.
Hailing from the Gold Coast, proud biracial woman Grace Driscoll is thrilled to be joining the company as the character of Natasha. With a pastiche for shows with long titles, Grace’s professional credits include Shirley in Beautiful: The Carol King Musical (Matt Ward Productions), Eileen Evergreen in Nice Work If You Can Get It (Michelle Guthrie Presents/ Hayes Theatre) and Rosalia U/S Maria in West Side Story (Opera Australia/ GWB Entertainment).
Joining Grace on the stage as Pierre is proud Greek and Wemba Wamba man Zoy Frangos who brings his love for the theatre world and experience to the production. Whilst studying and subsequently graduating with a degree in Music Theatre from the Victorian CollegeofArts, Zoy made his professional opera debut in the world premiere of Pecan Summer. His other theatre credits include Les Misérables (Cameron MacIntosh/Michael Cassel), My Fair Lady (OA/GFO) and Rat Pack Reloaded (SMAProductions).
Theatre and drag-based gender queer artist Jules Pendrith will play the role of the love interest Anatolein the form-defying musical. They graduated with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Following this and after moving to Sydney, Pendrith discovered their affinity for drag artistry and created the character Johnny Gash in 2020, touring the act nationally since. Outside of drag and theatre, Jules is an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist and will bring this expertise to the Eternity Playhouse stage. The lead characters will be joined by Kala Gareas Sonya (Rent, SIX), Marissa Sarocaas Helene (Passing Strange), Jillian O’Dowdas Marya (The Witches of Eastwick), Lillian Hearneas Mary (The Aqualuna Singers), P Tucker Worleyas Andrey / Bolkonsky (A Chorus Line, Legally Blonde) and Cameron Bajraktarevic-Haywardas Dolokohv (A Christmas Carol), with Tom New and Skye Beker engaged as swings.
Set in 1812, this astronomic musical follows the young and spontaneous Natasha who awaits the return of Andrey – her beloved fiancé on the front lines. One dizzying night at the Opera, in a city exploding with hedonism and opulent excess, Natasha falls passionately in love with the dashing, roguish, (and already married) Anatole. To solve her love conundrum, she turns to her lonely friend Pierre (in the middle of an existential crisis) who makes it his mission to extricate her from risk of ruin and in doing so, renew his own soul.
It will draw on an eclectic mix of musical styles including folk, indie-rock, electro-pop and techno, making it one of the most unique and form-defying musicals ever seen on Broadway.
Book your tickets here.