A stunning production of Dave Malloy’s “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” is showing at Shotgun Players’ Ashby Stage in Berkeley through Jan. 15.

Malloy took a deep dive into one part of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” and turned it into a vibrantly pulsating piece of theater. He tells of a young girl, Natasha (Jacqueline Dennis), who has come to Moscow to await her fiancé Andrey’s (James Mayagoitia) return from the war. While staying with her aunt (Michelle Ianiro) and enjoying the big city lights, she is seduced by another young man (Nick Rodrigues), who puts her future in doubt.

Co-directors Patrick Dooley and Erin Mei-Ling Stuart, who is also the choreographer, have created an exhilarating interactive musical in which the physical lines between the actors and audience blur thanks to Nina Ball’s gorgeous rendition of a 19th century Russian dinner club.

Some audience members sit on the stage at cabaret tables with others at tables surrounding the stage. A long runway extending from the main stage to the theater’s third row becomes Pierre’s sitting room. On either side, the pew-seating has been replaced with cabaret tables. I was fortunate to sit in one of these right at the end of the runway next to Pierre (Albert Hodge). Regardless of where you’re sitting, look out for actors coming down your row as they perform throughout the theater.

The musicians are also very much a part of the action with pianist/conductor Daniel Alley and drummer Brietta Greger in a small circular pit center stage and Carolyn Walter (clarinet), Flora Espinoza (oboe/English Horn), Tania Johnson (accordion/keyboard), Myra Chachkin (cello) and Rod Verette (double bass) on either side of the audience creating a beautifully balanced sound.

The music ranges from frenzied opera to melodic folk guitar (poignantly performed by Veronica Renner as Natasha’s cousin) and just about everything in between. All music is superbly performed by the cast that also includes Angel Adedokun, Christian Arteaga, Danielle Cheiken, Roeen Nooran and Weston Scott. For tickets (which are selling out fast!), call 510-841-6500, ext. 303, or go to shotgunplayers.org.

Point Richmond: A feel-good musical is on offer at Masquers Playhouse with the joyous “Amélie, the Musical.” Director Enrico Banson has tapped a plethora of positive energy in his tightly directed production about a young French girl overcoming an unhappy childhood by doing good for others.

Using the actor-muso style, Banson has 12 of the 13 cast members play instruments to great effect. Music Director Aaron Tan is the primary pianist with Paul Hogarth and Susan Tonkin taking over when he becomes the Mysterious Man in the play.

It’s fascinating to watch the actors find ways to incorporate their instruments into the action. Flutist Heather Warren, for instance, turns her flute into a handrail on the Metro for several scenes.

While the show doesn’t include dance numbers, there is certainly choreography as actors pick up instruments from various cast members while also moving set pieces around. All of it is choreographed seamlessly thanks to movement/choreography coordinator Katherine Cooper.

Kudos to the entire cast for the lively energy and enthusiasm they bring to this delightful story. Solona Husband makes a charming Amélie and is most effective when she adds a vulnerability and sadness beneath her positive outlook. Sleiman Alahmadieh is equally impressive as Amélie’s love interest, Nino. Both have lovely voices.

In fact, all the actors (many playing multiple roles in addition to instruments!) do a fine job with Paul Hogarth a riot as Elton John and Douglas Mandell (double bass) a poignant neighbor of Amélie’s with a rare bone disease.

Other cast members include Christina Boothman (percussion), Nelson Brown (guitar), Anand Joseph (accordion), Hayley Keenen (viola), Victor Meneses (percussion), Logan Schluntz (percussion) and Tonkin (piano/percussion).

Banson, also a filmmaker, added cinematic influences such as a tiny treasure chest becoming a light source that highlights Amelia’s face when opened and a very funny bit with a television that features Kennen as a British news anchor.

“Amélie, the Musical” runs through Dec. 10 in the Masquers Playhouse at 105 Park Place in Point Richmond. Call 510-232-4031 or go to masquers.org for tickets.

Walnut Creek: Christmas will come early Dec. 1-2 to Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts as Laurie Hedstrom-Roldan performs a “Laurie Sings a Song for You Christmas.”

Inspired by the music of Karen Carpenter, the nostalgic evening features such Carpenter Christmas favorites as “Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas” and “Silver Bells” plus other traditional holiday tunes at the Lesher’s intimate Vulkasin Theatre.

“With everything going on, I wanted to bring something positive and comforting to people,” said Hedstrom-Roldan. “This concert has some movement and funny moments and a few surprises. I hope it will be like a Christmas hug, which is something we all need about now.”

Hedstrom-Roldan will be joined by singers John Brown, Ben Chau-Chiu, Ashley Cowl and Ashley Houts, violinist Joyce Lee and harpist Krista Strader. Noel Anthony Escobar directs the 80-minute show with musical direction by Brett Strader. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or go to lesherartscenter.org.

Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.