The musical premiered on October 16 , 2012 , at Ars Nova ; directed by Rachel Chavkin the show was staged as an immersive production , with action happening around and among the audience . The set designed by Mimi Lien and lights by Bradley King transformed Ars Nova into a Russian supper club . The creative team was completed by Paloma Young as costume designer , Matt Hubbs as sound designer , and Dave Malloy as musical director . The cast included Malloy as Pierre , Phillipa Soo as Natasha , Lucas Steele as Anatole , Amber Gray as Hélène , Brittain Ashford as Sonya , Nick Choksi as Dolokhov , Shaina Taub as Mary , Blake DeLong as Andrey / Prince Bolkonsky , Amelia Workman as Marya D. and Paul Pinto ( who also served as associate music director ) as Balaga . The show was the first production of Ars Nova to ever transfer to Broadway .

Question: original cast of natasha pierre and the great comet of 1812
Answer: Dave Malloy