Critical Kudos for The Great Comet

Blake DeLong as Bolkonsky clowning with audience members.

Dave Malloy’s electro-pop opera Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, featuring a “touching performance from Blake DeLong” (Marilyn Stasio, Variety), opened last night to rave reviews from The New York Times, The New York Post, Time Out New York, and others.

In The New York Times , Charles Isherwood writes, “When that comet streaks through the sky at the hushed climax of the show, Pierre experiences an epiphany that had my heart leaping into my throat, as he sang with humble joy of the mysterious workings of human affections. Having come to realize that his abiding love for Natasha has grown even richer, Pierre is wonder-struck at the discovery that compassion for another’s suffering can bring us a pleasure as profound as the fulfillment of our own greatest desires.”

More review highlights can be found by visiting BroadwayWorld’s Reveiw Roundup.

The Great Comet comes to Meatpacking this summer

Lucas Steele, Amber Gray, Phillipa Soo, Blake DeLong, and Dave Malloy in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812

“NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 is a heartbreakingly gorgeous and wickedly sharp electropop opera based on Leo Tolstoy’s masterwork, War and Peace. Set at a glamorous Moscow Supper Club with Russian fare, this unique theatrical event is a blend of romance, music, and comedy. Join us for a feast and cocktails set in the elegance of Tsarist Russia, when lovers spoke by letter and the night sky was set ablaze by The Great Comet of 1812. Guests are invited to join us for food and entertainment when the doors open and to stay for the performance of THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. Prepare yourself, THE COMET IS COMING.”
Written and composed by Dave Malloy and directed by Rachel Chavkin

tickets available: http://www.thegreatcometof1812.com

Blake plays Joe’s Pub with Dave Malloy and Comet cast on January 16th.

 

Composer Dave Malloy brings his unique blend of indie rock, electronica, jazz noise, Romantic lieder and Russian folk to Joe’s Pub, with selections from the 

Click image to go to Joe’s for more info.

smash hit Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, the electro-pop opera that premiered at Ars Nova this fall. With director Rachel Chavkin of the TEAM, and an ensemble of 16 musicians and singers, including Brent Arnold, Brittain Ashford, Gelsey Bell, Nick Choksi, Blake DeLong, Mark Dover, Amber Gray, James Monaco, John Murchison, Phillipa Soo, Lucas Steele, Sally Wall,Pinky Weitzman and Amelia Workman. Tickets are $15, and available by clicking here.  

Blake set for limited run of The Man-Made Rock at NYTW’s Fourth Street Theater // Matt Dickson directs

Justin Adam’s new play The Man-Made Rock premiers at the Fourth Street Theater in December. Staring Blake DeLong, Stephen Bradbury, Jon Krupp, David Marantz, and Martin LaPlatney.

In the dripping heat of an East Texas afternoon, Kyle Holley has returned home from New York City to confront his past and divulge secrets over an afternoon of fishing with his father. But an encounter with one-time family friend Bobby Cartman, a brooding alcoholic with secrets of his own, forces an unforeseen confrontation. In a place where emotions are seldom discussed or even acknowledged, five men on a fishing barge sort out their histories in order to move forward with their lives.

the Great Comet is a hit – rave reviews and a sold out run

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is the toast of the town.

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is a smash hit with rave reviews from the New York Times, 5 Stars from TimeOut New York, and 4 Stars from the New York Post. The entire run through November 10th is now sold out! Check the Ars Nova website for additional information on last minute ticket releases and for the latest news on the production.

“Improbably wonderful! Everything works… excellent performances… real emotion!”

-Rachel Saltz, The New York Times (Critic’s Pick)

“Utterly engrossing… a party from start to end… it glows! A rare and marvelous event… an oasis of artful illumination.”

-Adam Feldman, TimeOut New York

“Appears out of nowhere to brighten the theatre season! Thrilling… intimate and soulful… searingly beautiful.”

-Elizabeth Vincentelli, The New York Post

Lights, Camera, Austin // Blake DeLong and Thank You A Lot

Click the image to listen to the interview.

Blake and “Thank You A Lot” producer Chris Ohlson talk shop on Ko-op Radio.

“Thank You A Lot” is currently in post-production at TBD studios in Austin.

Principal Photography Wrapped on Thank You A Lot

Blake DeLong plays two-bit music manager Jack Hand in Thank You A Lot.

Set in and around Austin, Texas, THANK YOU A LOT, at its simplest, is about the rekindling of an estranged father and son relationship. Jack Hand, a small-time music agent, is forced by his management company to sign his reclusive and legendary musician father, James Hand, or lose his job and threaten the livelihood of his clients. Jack hustles his way through a vibrant and diverse Austin music scene as he struggles to keep his clients and fights to learn about the man behind his musician father.

Thank You A Lot was shot over 22 days on location in Austin and Marble Falls, Texas.

Surrounding the unique father and son story is a tribute to the diverse music community that makes Austin special. Real musicians portray many of the supporting cast. The film features hip-hop artist, Da’Shade Moonbeam, members of the Austin band Hundred Visions (heard in the video above), and jazz vocalist, Keri Johnsrud.

Click here to visit film site.