It is based on Volume II, Part V of Tolstoy's novel, focusing on Natasha's romance with Anatole and Pierre's search for meaning in his life.

The original Off-Broadway production of the show had Phillipa Soo and Dave Malloy playing the roles of Natasha Rostova and Pierre Bezukhov respectively.

The musical received positive reviews, particularly for Phillipa Soo, Denée Benton, and Josh Groban's leading performances, as well as for the production's score, direction, and scenic design.

Natasha is to meet her future in-laws, Andrey's sister, the lonely Mary Bolkonskaya, and his father, the old Prince Bolkonsky who are trapped in a hateful co-existence ("The Private and Intimate Life of the House").

They leave Pierre, who reflects on his near-death experience and realizes that despite wasting his life, he wishes to live and find love ("Dust and Ashes").

The next day, Andrey returns home from the war and is disoriented about the refusal of marriage he received from Natasha, which he asks Pierre about.

The score, written and orchestrated by Malloy, merges Russian folk and classical music with indie rock and EDM influences.

The piece, described by Malloy as an "electropop opera," is sung-through, with just one line of spoken dialogue coming in Pierre and Natasha's only scene together.

In 2020, Malloy released a song titled "Epilogue", a solo for Pierre after the finale that wasn't a part of the original musical.

The set designed by Mimi Lien and lights by Bradley King transformed Ars Nova into a Russian supper club.

The cast included Malloy as Pierre, Phillipa Soo as Natasha, Lucas Steele as Anatole, Amber Gray as Hélène, Brittain Ashford as Sonya, Manik Choksi as Dolokhov, Gelsey Bell as Mary, Amelia Workman as Marya, Blake DeLong as Andrey/Old Prince Bolkonsky and Paul Pinto (who also served as associate music director) as Balaga.

On May 16, 2013, the show opened in the Meatpacking District at Kazino,[9] a temporary structure designed as an opulent Russian club, where the immersive production was staged, again by the same creative team.

Scott Stangland took over the role of Pierre, Denée Benton starred as Natasha, Lilli Cooper portrayed Hélène, and Nicholas Belton played Andrey/Old Prince Bolkonsky.

The remainder of the cast featured Lucas Steele as Anatole, Brittain Ashford as Sonya, Amber Gray as Hélène, Grace McLean as Marya, Manik Choksi as Dolokhov, Gelsey Bell as Princess Mary, Nicholas Belton as Andrey/Old Prince Bolkonsky, Paul Pinto as Balaga, and Scott Stangland as the standby for Pierre.

The production had choreography by Sam Pinkleton, sets by Mimi Lien, costumes by Paloma Young, lights by Bradley King, sound by Nicholas Pope and music direction by Or Matias.

[17] On 25 June 2024, it was announced that The Great Comet would have its United Kingdom premiere at London's Donmar Warehouse from 9 December 2024 to 8 February 2025.

[19] On 17 October, the cast was announced with Jamie Muscato, Declan Bennett and Chumisa Dornford-May starring as Anatole, Pierre and Natasha, respectively.

Also featured in the cast are Cedric Neal as Balaga, Daniel Krikler as Dolokhov, Eugene McCoy as Prince Bolkonsky/Andrey, Annette McLaughlin as Marya, Maimuna Memon as Sonya, Cat Simmons as Helene and Chloe Saracco as Princess Mary.

[20] The production opened officially on 16 December to rave reviews, with critics particularly praising the strength of the cast and originality of the material.

[28] Pioneer Theatre Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, staged The Great Comet in May 2024 starring Ali Ewoldt as Natasha and Kevin Earley as Pierre[29] Writers Theatre of Glencoe, Illinois, staged The Great Comet from September through November 2024 starring Aurora Penepacker as Natasha and Evan Tyrone Martin as Pierre.

A Brazilian production opened in August 2018, in Portuguese, with Bruna Guerin as Natasha, André Frateschi as Pierre and Gabriel Leone as Anatole.

[31] The Korean production ran from March 2021 until May 2021, starring Haena and Jung Eun-ji as Natasha, and Hong Kwang-ho and K.will as Pierre.

[32] In 2024, the production returned to Korea featuring Lee Jisoo, Yoo Yeon-jung, and Park Soobin as Natasha, and Ha Do-kwon, K.Will, and Julian Jootaek Kim as Pierre.

[44] (Lines in quotations are lyrics from the opening song, "Prologue," which introduces the characters)[47] The piece was very well received by the New York press.

Mr. Malloy lifts styles with such abandon, making willful shifts – from punk riffs to agitated Broadway ballads, mock-pompous recitative to gritty Russian folk songs or drinking choruses with klezmer clarinets – that you lose track of what is being appropriated and really don't care.

It grounds you and transports you at once, and leaves you beaming with pleasure.”[55] Josh Groban played his final performance in the Broadway production on July 2, 2017.

The producers attempted to bring in Broadway legend[57] Mandy Patinkin to boost ticket sales and prevent the show from closing.

[61] Sources: TheaterMania[62] Internet Off-Broadway Database[63]Village Voice[64] On December 10, 2013 Ghostlight Records released a two-disc cast album of the entire score.

The cast featured Dave Malloy as Pierre, Phillipa Soo as Natasha, Lucas Steele as Anatole, Brittain Ashford as Sonya, Manik Choksi as Dolokhov, Grace McLean as Marya D, Amber Gray as Hélène, Blake DeLong as Andrey/Old Prince Bolkonsky, Gelsey Bell as Princess Mary, and Paul Pinto as Balaga.

The book also includes a CD with five songs from the show: three from the original cast recording, and two featuring Josh Groban and a 25 piece orchestra.