Opening on September 15 at Universal Art Center
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The musical "The Great Comet," based on a part of Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace," will open on September 15 at the Universal Art Center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.
"The Great Comet" is a sung-through musical created by Dave Malloy, one of the most notable composers and playwrights in the American theater scene, in collaboration with director Rachel Chavkin. It premiered to critical acclaim off-Broadway in 2012 and made its Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre in 2016. The Broadway production featured world-renowned pop-opera singer Josh Groban in the lead role. At the 2017 Tony Awards, it was nominated in a record 12 categories, including Best Musical, and won four Drama Desk Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards, earning recognition for its artistic excellence.
The Korean premiere will feature Hong Kwang-ho, K.Will, Jung Eun-ji, Lee Hae-na, Lee Chung-joo, Park Kang-hyun, and Go Eun-sung among the cast. Notably, many actors, including the lead role Pierre, will play instruments themselves, offering a unique visual and auditory experience. The creative team includes director Kim Dong-yeon, stage designer Oh Pil-young, and music director Kim Moon-jung.
The male lead "Pierre," a wealthy nobleman who feels alienated in society and wanders through deep doubts about his unhappy marriage and life, will be portrayed by actors Hong Kwang-ho and K.Will. Pierre also plays the accordion and piano himself, opening and closing the scenes.
The pure and lovable twenty-year-old woman "Natasha," who longs for her fianc? at war, will be passionately played by Jung Eun-ji and Lee Hae-na. The young soldier "Anatole," who pursues pleasure and possesses an irresistible charm as he seduces Natasha, will be played by Lee Chung-joo, Park Kang-hyun, and Go Eun-sung.
"Sonya," Natasha's cousin and friend who always tries to protect her, will be played by Lee Hyo-eun. The role of "Ellen," Pierre's wife, Anatole's sister, and a social queen, will be double-cast with Bang Jin-ui and Hong Ryun-hee. "Mariya D," a strict but kind noblewoman who is Natasha's godmother and Pierre's longtime friend, will be portrayed by Joo A.
"Mary," the daughter of Duke Volkonsky and sister of Andrei, will be played by soprano Lee Yeon-ji, who is based in New York and will make her Korean musical stage debut with The Great Comet. The bold and hearty Anatole's closest friend and Ellen's lover, "Dolokhov," will be played by Choi Ho-jung. The lively coachman "Balaga" will be portrayed by actor Kim Dae-ho. The soldier "Andrei," Natasha's fianc? currently at war, and his grumpy noble father "Volkonsky" will both be played by actor Kang Jung-woo in a dual role.
"The Great Comet" will run at the Universal Art Center until November 29, with tickets expected to go on sale in July.
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