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Due to critical acclaim and ticket demand, the 12-time Tony nominated musical
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
Extends at Writers Theatre
Now playing through November 3, 2024
Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, is extending its hit production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, written by Dave Malloy and directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman with music direction by Matt Deitchman. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 has added an additional week of performnaces and will now play throughNovember 3, 2024, in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.
The Writers production received unanimous raves, including 4-star reviews
from both Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.
Tickets are now on sale at Writers Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org.
“There’s a war going on somewhere out there, and Andrey isn’t here.” Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancée from the front lines. But when she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, family friend Pierre must push through his existential crisis to help Natasha pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation.
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 is based on 70 pages of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, the section that focuses on Natasha’s romance with Anatole and Pierre’s search for meaning.
Based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s epic novel War and Peace, this innovative musical spectacle took Broadway by storm with its “electropop opera” score, earning two Tony Awards and 12 Tony nominations. Katie Spelman and Matt Deitchman, the inspired creative team behind WT’s hit production of Once, reunite to bring this modern spin on a literary classic to Chicago for the first time.
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 received two Tony Awards and 12 nominations in 2017.
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
“We are opening our season with the first Chicago production of one of the most thrilling original musicals of the last twenty years. Its engine is the timeless humanity of Tolstoy, and the contemporary genius of Dave Malloy is the rocket fuel that makes it go. This will be a high-octane experience for our audiences in the uniquely immersive environment at Writers, where they will be up close with some of Chicago’s finest actors,” comments Artistic Director Braden Abraham. “The real power of Great Comet for me is in what it says about love. At the heart of the show, love is the force that wakes us up to our own life. We are awake when our attention goes outward towards another. Love can be creative, or destructive and then creative again. It’s a play set in the past with an acute awareness that we are always in the present moment. It’s an invitation to a party, and a toast to the vibrancy of life.”
The cast includes Joseph Anthony Byrd (Anatole), Sophie Grimm (Ensemble, Hélène US/Dance Captain) Rob Lindley (Bolkonsky), Julia Wheeler Lennon (Mary, Sonya US), Will Lidke (Ensemble, Dolokhov US), Evan Tyrone Martin (Pierre), Andrew Mueller (Dolokhov), Aurora Penepacker(Natasha), Maya Rowe (Sonya), Bri Sudia (Hélène), Bethany Thomas (Marya), Jonah D. Winston (Balaga) and Matthew C. Yee (Andrey). The understudies are: Bridget Adams-King, Vasily Deris, Isabel Kaegi, Darryl D’Angelo Jones, Teressa LaGamba, and Shagra D. Wasserman.
The creative team includes: Katie Spelman (Director and Choreographer), Matt Deitchman (Music Director), Courtney O’Neill (Scenic Designer), Raquel Adorno (Costume Designer), Yael Lubetzky (Lighting Designer), Eric Backus (Sound Designer), Rae Watson (Properties Designer), Charlotte River-Hoster (Conductor/Piano/Associate Music Director), Amber Wuttke (Violence Director), Melissa Foster (Vocal Coach), and Roger Ellis (Associate Director). The stage manager is Miranda Anderson and the assistant stage managers are Natalie Cohen and Lexie Wiley.
Performance Schedule
Dates: First performance: September 5, 2024
Press opening: Friday, September 13, 2024 at 7:30pm
Closing performance: November 3, 2024
Regular run through October 27, 2024
Wednesdays: 3:00pm (October 2 only) and 7:30pm
Thursdays: 7:30pm
Fridays: 7:30pm
Saturdays: 3:00pm and 7:30pm
Sundays: 2:00pm and 6:00pm (except October 6)
Extension week, October 30-November 3, 2024
Wednesday-Friday: 7:30pm
Saturday: 3:00pm and 7:30pm
Sunday: 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Location: Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre; 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Prices: $40-$115
Purchase early for best prices.
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org
Events:
The Great War & Peace Read-Aloud of 2024
*well, ok, not all of War & Peace
Saturday, October 5 from 10am-2:30pm
WT, the Glencoe Public Library, and the Woman’s Library Club of Glencoe team up for a marathon community read-aloud of the 70 pages of the classic novel that inspired Great Comet. Featuring special guest readers and community members, attendees are welcome to participate as a reader and/or listener and to come and go over the course of the event.
The Final Word Audience Discussion
Sunday, October 27 at 12pm
Connect with fellow audience members about the themes, characters, and production elements of the show at this conversation facilitated by WT Artistic staff.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Katie Spelman (Director/Choreographer) is a Chicago born, Brooklyn based choreographer and director. Recent credits include The Notebook (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Connecticut Critics Nomination for Best Choreography) Cabaret (Olney Theater Company, Helen Hayes Nomination for Best Choreography; Paramount Theater, Joseph Jefferson Nomination for Best Musical) and the first live-streamed musical on TikTok, For You, Paige. She has also collaborated with Lookingglass Theatre Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Camerata Bern, Court Theatre, The Hypocrites, Asolo Repertory, Ensemble Studio Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Sideshow Theatre Company, The New Colony, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Northwestern University, and The Inconvenience. Broadway Associate: Once, American Psycho, and Amelie.
This production reunites director/choreographer Katie Spelman and music director Matt Deitchman after their previous collaboration on WT’s twice extended sold out run of Once.
Matt Deitchman (Music Director) returns to Writers Theatre, where his previous credits include: Once (Jeff Nom., Music Direction/Ensemble), Into The Woods (Jeff Nom., Music Direction), Trevor, Parade, and The Hunter And The Bear. Matt is a NYC based music director, actor, composer, orchestrator/arranger, and multi-instrumentalist whose credits include: Broadway — The Heart Of Rock And Roll, Parade, A Strange Loop, Almost Famous. Off-Broadway — Trevor (Disney+ and Original Cast Recording). Chicago — Marriott Theatre (recently, Jeff Nom., Music Direction for Buddy), Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Griffin Theatre, and many others. Add'l select regional: Arena Stage (DC), Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Asolo Repertory Theatre (FL), American Stage Theatre (FL), South Coast Repertory (CA), Ogunquit Playhouse (ME), Norwegian Cruise Lines. Northwestern University Grad.
Joseph Anthony Byrd (Anatole) is excited to be returning to Writers Theatre where he was just seen as Isom in The Hot Wing King. Some of his Chicago credits include The Play That Goes Wrong at Broadway Playhouse, And The World Goes Round (Jeff Nomination) at Marriott Theatre and Cabaret at Paramount Theatre. Broadway/Touring credits include Kinky Boots, The Play That Goes Wrong, and The Lion King. Joseph has also appeared on TV inJustified: City Primeval, Chicago Med, 4400 and Proven Innocent.
Sophie Grimm (Ensemble, Helene US/Dance Captain) a lifelong performer in theatre and music. Theatre credits include Writers Theatre’s world premiere of Trevor: The Musical, Paramount Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Stages St. Louis, Rocky Mountain Rep, Wagon Wheel, Little Theatre on the Square, About Face, Chicago Shakespeare Theater/Globe, as well as singing, producing, & directing across the country with family, friends, & Hasbro’s CLUE: A Walking Mystery.
Rob Lindley (Bolkonsky): Oh, Coward! (Jeff Award Best Actor Revue), Bach at Leipzig (Writers); M. Andre in Phantom of the Opera (National Tour);Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Secret Garden, Angels in America, Caroline or Change, Carousel (Court Theatre); Andy Warhol in Iran, Funnyman(Northlight); Candide (Goodman); Sound of Music (Marriott); Fun Home (Victory Gardens). Directing credits include; 50 Shades! (Off-Broadway); 2 Pianos 4 Hands, Songs for Nobodies (Northlight); many productions at Porchlight; and gala concerts for Ravinia, Chicago Humanities Festival, and several area theaters.
Julia Wheeler Lennon (Mary/Sonya US) is making her Writers Theatre debut. NYC: Smith Street Stage (Enemy). TOUR: TheaterWorks USA (Rosie Revere,Engineer and Friends). REGIONAL: Signature Theatre D.C. (Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, The Bridges of Madison County); Lyric Stage Company of Boston (The Wolves); Adventure Theatre (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown); Legacy Theatre (The Great American Mousical); Valley Shakespeare Festival (The Winter's Tale, Henry VIII, The Taming of the Shrew); Downtown Cabaret Theatre (Mamma Mia, Sister Act); Madison Lyric Stage (Into the Woods, Agnes of God). UPCOMING: Ford's Theatre (A Christmas Carol).
Will Lidke (Ensemble/Dolokhov US) is making his Writers Theatre debut. Other Chicago credits include: Alice By Heart, American Psycho (Kokandy Productions); Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Theo Ubique, Jeff Award: Principal Performer in a Musical); Little Shop of Horrors, A Christmas Carol, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Saturday Night Fever (Drury Lane); Violet (Griffin Theatre); as well as work with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Mercury Theater and Rhino Fest. TV: Chicago Justice, Chicago PD (NBC). Will holds a BFA in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. He also creates music, available on all streaming platforms under the name Leo Rising.
Evan Tyrone Martin (Pierre) Recent credits: Dreamgirls (Curtis Taylor, Jr) at Goodspeed/McCarter Theatre, RENT! (Tom Collins) and The Color Purple(Mister) at The MUNY, Next to Normal (Dan) at Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Grease (Teen Angel) at Drury Lane, Blues In The Night (Man in Saloon, Black Theatre Alliance Award Winner) at Porchlight Music Theatre, Into The Woods (Baker) at Opera Montana, Queer Eye: The Musical Parody (Karamo) at The Second City, The Black Clown (Ensemble) at American Repertory Theatre/Lincoln Center's 2019 Mostly Mozart Festival, Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus, BTAA Nomination) at Paramount Theatre, Far From Heaven (Raymond, Jeff Award Nomination) at Porchlight. He also toured with the hit one-man revueAn Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas, and stars in his one man show Lets Fall In Love – celebrating the music of Nat and other iconic performers of his time. Next, Evan will return to Opera Montana to play the iconic role of Sweeney in Sweeney Todd.
Andrew Mueller (Dolokhov) is making his Writers Theatre debut. Chicago credits include: Gerry Goffin in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Marriott), Ernest Shackleton & Others in Ernest Shakleton Loves Me (Porchlight; Jeff Award nomination), Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera Chicago), Mark in RENT (Paramount), Shakespeare In Love (Chicago Shakespeare), Wonderland: Alice's Rock & Roll Adventure (Chicago Children's Theater), A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Merrily We Roll Along (Music Theatre Co). Off-Broadway: Prentiss in Peter And The Starcatcher, Alice By Heart.
Aurora Penepacker (Natasha) is making her Writers Theatre debut! Rory is a mixed Filipina-American actor, singer, and songwriter. After growing up in Glenview, she earned her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and is represented by Stewart Talent. Notable credits include The King and I (u/s Tuptim) at Drury Lane, Seagulls (Nina) at Oak Park Festival Theatre, The Fantasticks (Luisa) at Citadel Theatre, and Oklahoma! (Laurey) at the Encore Musical Theatre Company.
Maya Rowe (Sonya) is making her Writers Theatre debut! Favorite regional credits include: Sally Bowles in Cabaret (The Studio Theatre TDS), Babette in Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Gingy in Shrek (Drury Lane), Clara in The Light in the Piazza (AGPA Festival), Sibella in A Gentleman’s Guide…(Rocky Mountain Rep), Marilyn Wald & u/s Cynthia/Carole in Beautiful! (Marriott Theatre), Ursula & u/s Frau Schmidt/Maria in The Sound of Music (Paramount Theatre), and Charlotte in A Little Night Music (Theo). You can also catch her in ‘Tankhouse’ on AppleTV+.
Bri Sudia (Helene) Broadway: A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (Ellie Greenwich, Original Broadway Cast) Chicago: Wonderful Town (Jeff Award nomination; Goodman Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Jeff Award nomination; Paramount Theatre) Oslo (Jeff Award nomination; TimeLine Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Drury Lane) The Music Man, Ah, Wilderness! (Goodman Theatre), Road Show, Emma, Red Velvet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater) MFA Acting, University of Illinois and a degree in Sign Language Interpreting.
Bethany Thomas (Marya) is thrilled to join the big show after appearing at Writers Theatre in Once, Into the Woods, A Moon for the Misbegotten, and She Loves Me. Other credits include A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre); Marie and Rosetta, Songs For Nobodies (Northlight Theatre); Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Ragtime, The Color Purple (Milwaukee Rep); The Tempest (Chicago Shakespeare); Porgy and Bess (Court Theatre); Iphigenia In Aulis (Getty Villa); Moby Dick (Rep of St. Louis). Jeff Award Winner, 3Arts Awardee, Lunt-Fontanne Fellow. Fun with Teatro ZinZanni, Grelley Duvall, Jon Langford, Tawny Newsome, The Fly Honeys; original music on Apple, and Spotify.
Jonah D. Winston (Balaga) - CHICAGO: Parade (Writers Theatre) Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Big Fish The Musical, Damn Yankees(Marriott Theater); Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors, Clue, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot (The Mercury Theater Chicago); A Christmas Carol (The Goodman Theater). TOURING: The Play That Goes Wrong, Saint-George's Sword and Bow. REGIONAL: The MUNY, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, The Cleveland Playhouse, Beef and Boards Dinner Theater. OPERA: The Merry Widow, Jesus Christ Superstar (The Lyric Opera of Chicago). FILM: Lacy's Christmas Do-Over, Evil Lurks, The Resentful Angel. TELEVISION: “Chicago Fire” (NBC), “Chicago PD” (NBC), Discover Indie Film “(Amazon Prime). EDUCATION: BA in Theatre and Vocal Music, Butler University. Master of Letters in Acting, Flinders University.
Matthew C. Yee (Audrey) most recently appeared in The Lord of the Rings at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Other credits include: Vietgone (Writers Theatre); Antigone (Court Theatre); Cambodian Rock Band (Victory Gardens Theatre); Lucy and Charlie’s Honeymoon (Lookingglass Theatre Company) for which he also wrote the book and score. BROADWAY: Almost Famous The Musical. REGIONAL: The Old Globe, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Alliance Theatre. FILM: Ghostlight (2024); Consumed (2015). TELEVISION: “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD,” “Chicago Justice” (NBC); “61st Street” (AMC); “Empire” (FOX); “The Bear” (FX). From 2023-24 he was a writer in residence at the Goodman Theatre creating a new musical. Yee is an ensemble member at Lookingglass Theatre Company.
WRITERS THEATRE 2024/25 SEASON
The 2024-25 season launches with the Chicago premiere of the acclaimed musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, recipient of two Tony Awards and nominated for 12 Tony Awards, which reunites director/choreographer Katie Spelman and music director Matt Deitchman after their previous collaboration on WT’s twice extended sold out run of Once. Kimberly Senior returns to Writers to direct the hilarious and compassionate one-person play Every Brilliant Thing. Acclaimed writer and performer Vanessa Severo will star as both herself and legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in her searing new play Frida...A Self Portrait, directed by Joanie Schultz. Next spring, Braden Abraham brings Brian Friel’s touching Irish dramaTranslations to the Writers stage before the season concludes with the World Premiere of Dhaba on Devon Avenue, directed by Chay Yew, co-produced with TimeLine Theatre Company.
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Frida...A Self Portrait, Translations, and Dhaba on Devon Avenue will be presented in the 255-seat Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre. Every Brilliant Thing will be in the intimate Gillian Theatre. Both spaces are in Writers Theatre’s award-winning building at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe, designed by Studio Gang Architects.
This season, Writers Theatre is offering five subscriptions with an option for every theatregoer. Each subscription includes a deeply discounted ticket price for one ticket to the five-play series, Flex subscriptions, with options for either four, five or six tickets, are available.
Subscriptions are now available for the 5-show season and range from $240 - $325. Flex subscriptions are $260 (4-pack), $325 (5-pack) or $360 (6-pack). Season package subscribers receive exclusive benefits including complimentary ticket exchanges by phone and mail (upgrade fees may apply), access to special play readings and lectures, special “subscriber-rate” prices on additional tickets, discounts at the bar, on Writers Theatre merchandise, event rentals, and more. For a complete list of benefits visit writerstheatre.org.
Season Packages are available online at www.writerstheatre.org, and at the Box Office by calling 847-242-6000.
Single tickets for Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 are on-sale now and begin at $40.
Single tickets are on-sale now for Every Brilliant Thing and begin at $70 and are General Admission. Tickets for Frida…A Self Portrait, Translations and Dhaba on Devon Avenue begin at $35 and will go on sale at a later time.
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
WT offers Open Captioning on select dates for each production. Please visit writerstheatre.org/accessibility for more information.
Throughout the season, Writers Theatre offers a variety of audience enrichment and special programming. This includes regularly occurring offerings like the Family Matinee Series, The Green Room artist interview series and podcast, and The Final Word Audience Discussion Series. Please visit writerstheatre.org/events for a full listing of upcoming offerings.
ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE
Writers Theatre boldly looks to the future as it begins its 33rd season. Having captivated audiences for years with its dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, the company is charting a path forward for the next 30 years.
Since its founding in 1992, Writers Theatre has stayed true to its core values: valuing the power of the written word and uplifting the artists who bring that word to life. The company has produced over 140 productions—everything from inventive interpretations of classics to groundbreaking new work. In 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility designed by the internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to accommodate its growing audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy.
Writers Theatre now welcomes more than 60,000 patrons each season and has helped establish the North Shore of Chicago as a premier cultural destination. Through its Literary Development Initiative, which has been responsible for the nurturing and premiering of over 30 world premieres, the theatre has established itself as a major originator of new theatrical works. Serving as an extension of the Writers Theatre mission, WT Education programs engage an average 10,000 students each year with active learning opportunities centered around the written word.
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