Introduction
Miracles Lie In The Eye Of The Beholder
"Rasputin" is a musical exploration of the people, places and events
surrounding the Royal Romanov Family and their relationship
with the infamous Russian peasant Grigori Efimovitch Rasputin.
While many successful musicals have been based on intriguing characters
from fiction, most notably Phantom of the Opera and Jekyll & Hyde,
"Rasputin" is based on compelling historical figures - Tsar Nicholas II
and wife Alexandra, their four beautiful daughters, son Alexei and
Rasputin, the "peasant priest" whose enigmatic mixture of sensuality
and spirituality held sway over the court and confounded
his many critics.
At the core of the show is the connection between Rasputin and the
heir to the throne, Alexei. Suffering from hemophilia, the young Tsarevitch
sees Rasputin as a mysterious healer, while others see him as an
unscrupulous opportunist bent on exploiting his relationship with
the Royal Family.
Parallels between Rasputin, the starets (a man of God) and Jesus Christ
are striking. As healers, both men were mistrusted, persecuted and eventually
executed. Little is known about their whereabouts during long stretches
of their lives. Indeed it was traditional practice for holy men to vanish from
public sight for years at a time. Some even believe that within each generation
another Christ will be born.
Through the eyes of intolerance, Rasputin is a cunning manipulator.
Through the eyes of acceptance, he is a miracle worker.
A savior? A Charlatan? The miracle of Rasputin ultimately
lies in the eye of the beholder.
