The world-premiere production of Moby-Dick, a new musical by composer Dave Malloy, officially opened December 11 after performances began December 3 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Hadestown Tony winner Rachel Chavkin directs the staging, reuniting with Malloy following their collaboration on Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (which also played the A.R.T. prior to its Broadway bow).
The Great Comet alum Manik Choksi stars as narrator Ishmael, with Tom Nelis (Indecent) as Ahab, Starr Busby (Malloy's Octet) as Starbuck, Kalyn West (The Prom) as Stubb, Anna Ishida (Beowulf) as Flask, Andrew Cristi (A Christmas Story) as Queequeg, Matt Kizer (The River Bridge) as Tashtego, J.D. Mollison (Octet) as Daggoo, Eric Berryman (The B-Side: Negro Folklore From Texas State Prisons) as Fedallah, and Morgan Siobhan Green (Be More Chill) as Pip.
Critics have begun filing their reviews; read them below.
MetroWest Daily News (Iris Fanger)
New York Stage Review (Bob Verini)
Also in various roles are Ashkon Davaran (The Great Comet), Kim Blanck (Octet), and Dawn L. Troupe (Brothers ParaNormal).
The musical, based on the Herman Melville novel, features choreography by Chanel DaSilva, sets by Tony winner Mimi Lien, costumes by Brenda Abbandandolo, lighting by Tony winner Bradley King, sound design by Hidenori Nakajo, and puppetry by Eric F. Avery. Or Matias serves as music director, with J. Oconer Navarro as associate music director. Casting is by Stewart/Whitley.Performances are scheduled through January 12, 2020. No word yet on future productions of the musical.
