Watched Dr. Zhivago for the 1st time

[RW3]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 7:00pm

Last night, I had the chance to sit down and watch the film version of "Dr. Zhivago". First, the movie is 200 minutes long. I have no clue what stuff the creative team is cutting or keeping in order to make it a 2hr and 40 minute musical, according to Telecharge. Basically, a lot of stuff does happen in movie. Despite the long running time, I actually liked the movie. The plot is very heavy, but in no way confusing. After watching the film, I do see Tam Mutu as Yuri Zhivago. However, I'm not so sold on Kelli Barrett. I don't know how she will look with a blonde wig on. Hopefully, she looks good. However, my biggest issue is the placement of musical numbers. When I was watching the movie, there weren't any points where I thought "Oh, this would be a great place for a song!". Anyway, these were just my thought. Most of the cast starts rehearsals tomorrow, except Mutu.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 7:47pm

Watched Theater Talk this past Friday. According to Patrick Pachecko, it starts with Lara coming into the restaurant & shooting in the restaurant. Hopefully, they will explain before what leads up to that for those who have not seen or forgotten the movie. That is a big chunk of the movie disposed of as I recall

Updated On: 2/1/15 at 07:47 PM

[followspot]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 8:43pm

The stage musical is based on Boris Pasternak's (600-page) novel, not Robert Bolt's 1965 film script (nor Andrew Davies' 2002 television film script). There's no telling yet how the musical's book (by Michael Weller) will compare to previous adaptations.

Updated On: 2/1/15 at 08:43 PM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 9:09pm

From what I can see so far, they have cast three girls and one boy...do we know if any of the kid roles are double cast?

Jonah Halperin is obviously going to be young Yuri - but not sure what the 3 girls are doing. Does anyone know?

I loved the movie when I saw it. It will be hard seeing the stage version without the famous "Lara's Theme".
(I am assuming we are not going to hear it...maybe we will?)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 9:24pm

I'm pretty sure one of the recent articles said they are including that music.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/1/15 at 9:27pm

It was noted on Theater talk that Lara's theme will be used. It is obviously with permission from Jarre's estate & with some sort of financial renumeration on the producers part.

[brettystar]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 1:06pm

I am not sure how much has been changed but I saw the first performance of this in Sydney and it was the second worst musical I have ever seen. Incredibly boring and uninspired.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 1:27pm

Lara's Theme by Maurice Jarre from the classic David Lean film actually has lyrics by Paul Francis Webster.

It's official title is: "Somewhere My Love" (Lara's Theme)

It's been recorded by many artists including Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams.

Lyrics:

Somewhere my love
There will be songs to sing
Although the snow
Covers the hope of spring

Where are the beautiful days?
Where are the sleigh rides to dawn?
Where are the tender moments of splendor?
Where have they gone, where have they gone?

Somewhere a hill
Blossoms in green and gold
And there are dreams
All that your heart can hold

Someday we'll meet again, my love
Someday whenever the spring breaks through

Warm as the wind, soft as the kiss of snow
Till then my sweet, think of me now and then
God speed my love till you are mine again
Somewhere my love




Updated On: 2/2/15 at 01:27 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 5:24pm

To each his own

Your description could be applied to a number of long running hits now on Broadway.

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 5:39pm

I saw this show in Australia and actually recall nothing about it at all, apart from the really irritating, high pitched women's chorus at the start of Act 2. And its length.

[goldenboy]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 5:42pm

I remember seeing Dr Zhivago as a kid and hating it. I can't imagine it as a musical.
The one musical clip I heard sounded like "the song that goes like this" from Spamalot--only not as interesting.


But what do I know? I think Honeymoon in Vegas is the best thing I've seen on Broadway in a long time.

[brettystar]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 7:48pm

Absolutely each to his own Mr.Roxy. I am interested to know which long running shows you refer to though? As I can only think of WICKED and POTO....

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 7:59pm

Definitely Wicked

Another is Mormon

[homeimp]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 11:20pm

I love the way people on these boards make snarky insults rather than constructive comments. It's way more important to have an opinion than to justify it.

[brettystar]

Posted: 2/2/15 at 11:52pm

Thanks for clarifying Mr.Roxy.
I myself don't find WICKED boring or uninspired.. I did not enjoy BOM but would never describe it as boring or uninspired - but like you said it's each to their own.
I look forward to seeing how its received on Broadway at any rate. Third time round maybe it will work.

[lotiloti]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 7:17am

I couldn't agree with you more goldenboy, Honeymoon in Vegas is a terrific show.
But hating the Zhivago movie. If you saw it as a kid, I can understand not liking it.
Give it another go, it's a beautiful film in every way.

[StephieElise]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 7:31am

"From what I can see so far, they have cast three girls and one boy...do we know if any of the kid roles are double cast?

Jonah Halperin is obviously going to be young Yuri - but not sure what the 3 girls are doing. Does anyone know? "

In the Australian production there were four child characters: young Yuri, young Tonia, Yuri's son and Lara's daughter. So, 2 girls and 2 boys. Unfortunately, they decided it wasn't worth casting children in the roles in Australia (child labour laws are a lot stricter here) and instead just had short adults (including a woman playing Yuri's son).

"However, I'm not so sold on Kelli Barrett. I don't know how she will look with a blonde wig on. Hopefully, she looks good."

Lucy Maunder (who is amazing) remained a brunette for Lara while Taneel Van Zyl was a blonde Tonia.

As I've said before, I enjoyed Zhivago the musical. It wasn't my favourite by any means, but it was still good. There were some good songs (unfortunately the cast recording never eventuated so I'm reduced to the couple that were recorded plus a couple of bootlegs) and some very interesting stuff done with the set. I hope it does well.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 2/3/15 at 8:56am

^^Thanks for the info. I did just see this..from the original casting call:

Seeking Talent:
Young Yurii/Sasha : Male, 9-12 plays younger version of Yurii Zhivago as well as Yurii's son later in the play. Sensitive, intense & intelligent child....
Young Lara/Katarina : Female, 9-12 plays younger version of Lara Antipova as well as Yurii and Lara's daughter, Katarina later in the play. Nurturing, intelligent, impetuous....
Young Tonia/Cover for Young Lara : Female, 9-12, plays younger version of Tonia and covers the role of Young Lara. Lovely, perky, and edgy...

So it seems they are going to need an extra boy (or they already have one and I missed it) as a cover. (only NO)...

Just discovered that one of the girls is the understudy for all the young parts - YUri, Tonia and Lara.

Updated On: 2/9/15 at 08:56 AM