‘Great Comet’ blazes back to Seoul with Shownu, Leo
“The Great Comet,” the immersive musical adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s 1869 novel “War and Peace,” makes its return to Seoul, set to captivate audiences with a blend of historical drama and contemporary music.
Three years after its Korean premiere, the production will be staged once again at the Universal Arts Center, featuring a star-studded cast and enhanced immersive elements.
This year’s cast is headlined by Ha Do-kwon, K.Will and Kim Jootaek, who will bring to life the complex character of Pierre Bezukhov, the disenchanted illegitimate son of a Russian noble family, against the backdrop of Moscow in 1812.
Ha of “Hot Stove League” (2019) fame returns to the stage after an eight-year hiatus. Baritone Kim, also known under the stage name Julian Kim, steps into Pierre’s shoes following his notable performance in “The Phantom of the Opera.” K.Will reprises his role as Pierre from the musical’s 2021 Korean premiere.
Also leading the cast is Shownu from Monsta X, who ventures into musical theater as the seductive aristocrat Anatole. He is joined by Jung Taek-woon, also known as Leo from VIXX, and musical actor Ko Eun-sung, adding star power to the cast.
The role of Natasha, the doe-eyed ingenue engaged to Andrey, who is away battling a French invasion, will be alternated among musical actor Lee Ji-soo and WJSN members Yoo Yeon-jung and Park Soo-bin.
Officially known as “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,” the show distinguishes itself with its immersive staging, blurring the traditional barriers between performers and spectators. Audiences are invited onto the stage into “Comet Seats,” becoming part of the narrative set during the tumultuous period of the Napoleonic Wars, featuring scenes such as parties and a troika ride.
Set in the opulent red-and-gold interior reminiscent of opera theaters in Moscow in the early 19th century, the Korean production helmed by Shownote aims to deepen the immersive experience this year, with actors mingling with the audience, thanks to enhancements made possible by the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.
The musical’s eclectic score, described by creator Dave Malloy as an “electro-pop opera,” weaves together genres ranging from pop and electronic to classical and hiphop, providing an auditory experience that reflects both historical and modern sensibilities.
“The Great Comet” will be staged at the Universal Arts Center in eastern Seoul from March 26 through June 16.
The show distinguishes itself with its immersive staging, blurring the traditional barriers between performers
and spectators.