Deep Dive: NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Part 1) w/ Natalie Walker

Matt and guest Natalie Walker (The Big Gay Jamboree, Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse) blast off into the glittering, vodka-drenched universe of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812—Dave Malloy and Rachel Chavkin’s electro-pop opera spun from a 70-page slice of War and Peace. Together they trace the show’s evolution from Ars Nova experiment to Broadway spectacle, unpack why the score still fries their nervous systems (in the best way), and revisit the tent-era intimacy that made audiences feel complicit, overwhelmed, and fully alive.Guest introductionNatalie Walker—actor, comedian, vocalist, and longtime Great Comet superfan—joins the Deep Dive with the passion of someone who quite literally rushed the show “a million times.” Known for her sharp wit, impeccable musical instincts, and encyclopedic knowledge of chaotic theatrical women, she’s the ideal guide for unpacking the show’s origins, its cult-devoted audience, and its singular place in the Broadway ecosystem.Timestamps00:00 – 04:00 Cold open chaos; setting the stage in Moscow, 1812.06:00 – 12:00 Natalie’s fan origin story ie when she realized New Musical Theatre Can Still Be Good™.10:00 – 14:00 Matt’s first Comet experience, hype culture, and Phillipa Soo’s star-making performance.13:45 – 24:00Origins at Ars Nova/Off-Broadway30:00 – 33:30 Natasha’s arc and teenage intensity.31:30 – 33:30War & Peace 10148:00 – 52:00Scaling the show up: What was gained, what was lost.56:00 – 1:01:30The complexities of Pierre’s backstory, depression, inherited wealth, and moral arc; why the finale belongs to him.1:10:30 – 1:15:30 Egg shakers, Chavkin’s visual metaphors, and Natasha’s unraveling.1:22:40 – 1:25:20Casting possibilities: why Comet works best with unpredictable talents.Key people mentionedCreators* Dave Malloy — book, music, lyrics; original Pierre* Rachel Chavkin, director; Or Matias, music director; Bradley King, lighting designer (“King indeed”); Mimi Lien, scenic designer; Paloma Young, costume designer* Original/Notable Cast: Phillipa Soo, Dave Malloy, Amber Grey, Grace McLean, Lucas Steele, Nicholas Belton, Gelsey Bell, Josh Groban, Denée Benton, Scott Stangland, David Abeles, Shaina TaubResources & Links* Rachel Chavkin & Dave Malloy: Interview at The Strand* NY Times reviews (Ars Nova, Kazino, Broadway)* Great Comet Wikipedia page* “What Is The Great Comet?”* “How Great Comet Burned Out”Listener discussion questions* Do you prefer the show intimate or epic? Why?* Which qualities define Natasha or Pierre for you?* How does Great Comet’s musical style deepen its small slice of War and Peace? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bwaybreakdown.substack.com