Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is a musical adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, with music and libretto by Dave Malloy and directed by Rachel Chavkin. It is based on Volume 2, Part 5 of War and Peace, focusing on Natasha’s affair with Anatole, and Pierre’s search for meaning in his life. Moscow, 1812, just before Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and the burning of the city. As the story begins (“Prologue”) Pierre, a wealthy middle-aged aristocrat is having an existential crisis, living a slothful life of wine, philosophy and inaction (“Pierre”). He is best friends with Prince Andrey, who has left to go to war. Andrey has recently become engaged to the young, beautiful countess Natasha Rostova.
