*The Broadway musical “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” will close Sept. 3, following several weeks of controversy that saw the casting of a famous white actor to replace the previously-announced black lead, an attempt by producers to boost box office sales.
According to Variety, word of the production’s financial struggle surfaced during the backlash that arose after “Homeland” star and Broadway veteran Mandy Patinkin was cast for a three-week run in “Great Comet,” effectively cutting short the announced 9-week engagement of Okieriete Onaodowan in the role of Pierre.
Producers felt Patinkin would strengthen sales following the July 2 exit of Josh Groban, whose 8½-month stint had kept the show earning more than $1 million a week for the majority of its run, Variety reported:
Patinkin, a musical-theater legend who doesn’t show up on Broadway often these days, would have been a significantly bigger box office draw than Onaodowan, best known for his standout turn in a supporting role in “Hamilton.” But the move to cut short a run by a young African-American actor in favor of an older white performer raised a social-media firestorm over questions of diversity and representation.
Days after the controversy broke, Patinkin pulled out of “Great Comet” — leaving the show without a star to drive sales.
My understanding of the show’s request that I step into the show is not as it has been portrayed… (continued – 1/4)
— Mandy Patinkin (@PatinkinMandy) July 28, 2017
… and I would never accept a role knowing it would harm another actor. (2/4)
— Mandy Patinkin (@PatinkinMandy) July 28, 2017
I hear what members of the community have said and I agree with them. (3/4)
— Mandy Patinkin (@PatinkinMandy) July 28, 2017
I am a huge fan of Oak and I will, therefore, not be appearing in the show. (4/4) https://t.co/IYdQn2eQ7M
— Mandy Patinkin (@PatinkinMandy) July 28, 2017
As the musical’s creator, Dave Malloy, noted on Twitter, the production’s advance sales following the Aug. 13 exit of singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson looked grim, threatening a closure.
please don’t give mandy grief, he’s devastated.
i am not sure that the show has a future now. 6/— dave malloy (@dave_malloy) July 28, 2017
“Great Comet” is a musical adaptation of a segment of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace written by composer/lyricist Malloy and directed by Rachel Chavkin. It’s based on Volume 2, Part 5 of the novel, focusing on Natasha’s affair with Anatole and Pierre’s search for meaning in his life.
“Great Comet” led the Tony nominations list with 12 nods and walked away with awards for set and lighting design.
Onaodowan’s run in “Great Comet” finishes Aug. 13, which would have been his final performance before Patinkin started his run. Scott Stangland will play Pierre Aug. 15-20, with Malloy, who originated the role of Pierre in the musical’s Off Broadway premiere, stepping into the part for the final run of performances Aug. 22-Sept. 3.
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