Great Comet Actors Will Return to NYC in Cabaret Series Late Comet

The show may be closed, but members of the cast sing on at Feinstein’s/54 Below, starting September 29.

The closing of the Broadway musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 on September 3 left a lot of talented actors and singers at loose ends. But Feinstein’s/54 Below cabaret in New York has now snapped up many of them for a series of showcase concerts collectively titled The Late Comet.

Produced by Philip Romano, The Late Comet series will showcase the talents of Brittain Ashford (Sonya) and Shoba Narayan (replacement Natasha), plus members of the distinguished ensemble in a concert series that runs from September 29 through the holiday season at the Manhattan nightclub.

Romano told Playbill, “This series is a way to show off the immense talents of the members of this incredible cast of brilliant individuals. For every instrument you see some of the cast play in Great Comet, they may play six others. Several cast members write their own music, some are working on musicals, some are in bands, and all are sure to put on a fantastically entertaining and impressive show. Plus, with Comet's recent, unfortunately premature closing, these shows will serve as mini-reunions of sorts. Many artists will have other cast members acting as guests.”

Here is the series (subject to change):

Celia Mei Rubin is #34andsingle – September 29 at 11:30 PM

Rubin celebrates her birthday at midnight by “lamenting bitterly but endearingly on her perpetual singledom.”

Brittain Ashford – September 30 at 9:30 PM

Making her Feinstein’s/54 Below solo debut, Ashford originated the role of Sonya in The Great Comet at Ars Nova in 2012, and received a Lortel nomination for her performance during the Off-Broadway Kazino run. She also appeared in Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet and fronts her own band, Prairie Empire. She will perform a night of her own original music and some covers with with surprise guests.

Cathryn Wake & For You The Moon – October 6 at 11:30 PM

For You The Moon is an indie pop collaboration between actor/multi-instrumentalist Wake (Great Comet, The Fantasticks) and musician Neil Reynolds (Aeralyn, Ashes of Atrocity) that fuses synths, acoustic instruments, and electronic beats. “Wake and Reynolds trade vocals and instruments, welding together a sound sparked by the genre-bending melodrama of Panic! at the Disco, Kimbra’s eclecticism, and CHVRCHES’ unapologetic 80’s cheer.” Making their Feinstein’s/54 Below debut, the duo will be joined by fellow cast members of The Great Comet TBA and will be releasing their second EP of five new songs that evening.

Mary Spencer Knapp & Toot Sweet – October 13 at 11:30 PM

Accordionist, singer, and actor Mary Spencer Knapp presents Toot Sweet, an original cabaret soul project that melds French chanson, funky pop, and psychedelic rock, described as “an unexpected and ever-evolving live experience.”

Shoba Narayan – October 20 at 11:30 PM

Program TBA.

Sumayya Ali – October 21 at 11:30 PM

The Broadway performer, opera singer, composer, and violinist will lead audiences into her “kaleidoscopic world, where you will experience a taste of musical theatre, jazz, pop, opera fusion, and some of her original compositions from her upcoming album.” With special guest artists.

Ashley Pérez Flanagan & Moondrunk – November 4 at 11:30 PM

Flanagan and her band make their Feinstein’s/54 Below debut featuring original music from their debut album Lunacy, covers of classic tunes, and their signature freestyle rap finale. Moondrunk has played Carnegie Hall, Joe’s Pub, and other notable venues from New York to California. Flanagan will be joined by bandmates Andrew Bancroft (Freestyle Love Supreme), Yair Evnine (Waitress), and special guests.

Pearl Rhein: Books & Instruments – November 11 at 11:30 PM

Actor, singer–songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Rhein makes her Feinstein’s/54 Below solo debut with an evening of original songs, accompanied by special guests, including several other original cast members of Great Comet.

Heath Saunders – November 24 at 11:30 PM

The composer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist makes his Feinstein’s/54 Below solo debut.

Azudi Onyejekwe – December 1 at 11:30 PM

The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and his band host an intimate night of R&B, soul, and pop. The night will include selections from his in-progress EP among other originals, ranging from urban political anthems, to 80’s–inspired pop/R&B, to “pure stripped down acoustic soul.”

Courtney Bassett and Starbird & The Phoenix – December 8 at 11:30 PM

Bassett and her band will play jazz, soul, folk, pop, and 90's childhood nostalgia, featuring ukulele master and male rock soprano Andrew Swackhamer.

Tickets for most of the concerts cost $20 plus a $20 food/drink minimum. The September 30 Ashford concert costs 35–$60. Click here to order. Feinstein’s/54 Below is located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan.

