"Rasputin" is a musical exploration of the people, places and events

surrounding the Royal Romanov Family and their relationship

with the infamous Russian peasant

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

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

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

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