Love, scandal and betrayal take the stage in Ohio Northern University’s production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.
Audiences were transported to 19th-century Russia at the Freed Center this past weekend. The upbeat electro-pop opera is adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace and follows Natasha Rostova’s tumultuous romantic journey. Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, becomes entangled in a scandalous romance with a charming yet reckless man and must navigate its emotional fallout. Pierre, played by Matthew Cook, searches for meaning as he reflects on past regrets and his strained marriage.
The photo gallery captures key moments from the production, highlighting intricate costume design, dynamic staging and the actors’ expressive work on stage.
The charming yet impulsive Anatole, played by Frankie Alba, pursues women and indulges in excess in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, accepts Anatole’s proposal to elope after reading his romantic letter in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
The miserable Pierre Bezukhov stands alongside his unfaithful wife, Hélène, in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, twirls in her gown as she looks forward to seeing Anatole at the ball in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha’s godmother, Marya, played by Maggie Titus, is enraged after learning Natasha breaks her engagement to Andrey to elope with a married man in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, and Pierre, played by Matthew Cook, sing “Letters” as Natasha reflects on her uncertain future in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
The charming yet impulsive Anatole, played by Frankie Alba, pursues women and indulges in excess in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, falls for the charming but reckless Anatole upon reading his letters in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, attends the opera, where she meets the charming Anatole while engaged to Andrey in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
The charming yet impulsive Anatole, played by Frankie Alba, pursues women and indulges in excess in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha attends the ball in anticipation of reuniting with Anatole in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, falls for the charming but reckless Anatole upon reading his letters in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
The charming yet impulsive Anatole, played by Frankie Alba, pursues women and indulges in excess in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Helene, played by Ella Foose, pursues flirtations with Dolokhov, played by Jason Porter Jr., despite her marriage to Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Marya, played by Maggie Titus, welcomes Natasha and her cousin Sonya, played by Fiona Burau, into her home in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Pierre, played by Matthew Cook, and the ensemble look to the comet in the sky with renewed hope at the conclusion of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Letters are the primary way emotions were processed in the 19th century, as described in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, falls for the charming but reckless Anatole upon reading his letters in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Helene, played by Ella Foose, is in a loveless marriage with Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Natasha, played by Madisen Schenk, selects a gown for the ball in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery) 
Pierre, played by Matthew Cook, and the ensemble look to the comet in the sky with renewed hope at the conclusion of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Northern Review Photo/Evelyn Megery)