Overview
Synopsis
Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago follows Yurii Andreyevich Zhivago, a political idealist, physician, and poet, as he is wrapped up in the tides of history of the Russian Revolution. He must choose between a life with his close childhood friend and wife, Tonia Gromeko, or the passionate and mysterious Lara Guishar. With a lush score set against the turmoil of the Russian Revolution, Doctor Zhivago is a tale of forbidden romance and revolution.
Show Information
- Book
- Michael Weller
- Music
- Lucy Simon
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Based on the novel Doctor Zhivago by Borris Pasternak
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2015
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Russia before, during, and after the Russian Revolution
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child, Late Teen, Early Teen Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
ACT ONE
- Two Worlds – Young Yurii, Yurii, Young Tonia, Tonia, Young Lara, Lara, Pasha, Priest & Ensemble
- * Komarovsky’s Toast – Komarovsky, Tonia, Alex, Anna & Guests
- Who Is She? – Yurii
- The Tavern – Students
- * It’s A Godsend – Pasha & Students
- Godsend Exit – Students
- When the Music Played – Lara
- Who Is She? (Reprise) – Yurii
- Watch the Moon – Yurii & Tonia
- March Transition – Liberius & Soldiers
- Forward March for the Tsar – Gints, Soldiers, Pasha, Liberius & Yanko
- Nurse Antipova – Orchestra
- Field Infirmary – Orchestra
- Home Where the Lilacs Grow – Olya & Ensemble
- Forward March Reprise – Orchestra
- Yanko’s Death – Orchestra
- Now – Yurii & Lara
- Blood on the Snow – Gints, Pasha, Liberius, Soldiers & Nurses
- The Perfect World – Shulygin, Fetislova, Sasha, Komarovsky & Ensemble
- Komarovsky’s Lament – Komarovsky
- Yurii’s Decision – Yurii
- In This House – Sasha, Alex, Tonia, Yurii & Ensemble
ACT TWO
- Women and Little Children/He’s There – Lara, Earthy Woman & Female Ensemble
- Arrival at Yuriatin – Orchestra
- No Mercy at All – Strelnikov
- Yelinka’s Letter/House Reprise – Alex
- Love Finds You – Yurii, Lara, Komarovsky, Strelnikov & Tonia
- Love Finds You (Reprise) – Lara
- Nowhere to Hide – Liberius & Ensemble
- It Comes as No Surprise – Tonia & Lara
- Kubarika – Ensemble
- Ashes and Tears – Yurii, Liberius & Ensemble
- Ice Palace – Tonia
- On the Edge of Time – Lara & Yurii
- Now Reprise – Yurii
- Blood on the Snow (Reprise) – Ensemble
- Finale Act II – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.