We seem to be in a very fortunate position at the moment, in that most musicals on Broadway are getting a cast recording. Indeed, I can’t think of many over the past few years that we’ve missed out on. Even ones that didn’t do too well, which is the case of the latest release from Van Dean’s excellent Broadway Records label. Their output over the past few years, of both cast and concert and solo recordings has been extraordinary, and I’ve really enjoyed reviewing them, so I was pleased to receive their latest release.

Based on Nobel Prize winner Boris Pasternak’s novel and David Lean’s Academy Award-winning movie that starred Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness, Tom Courtenay and Ralph Richardson, the world premiere of Doctor Zhivago - The Musical was produced by La Jolla Playhouse, in San Diego, California under the direction of two-time Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, The Who’s Tommy, Big River), who went on to helm an Australian tour and the Broadway production. This recording was made following the closure of the Broadway run, but features the original cast.

The cast is led by Tam Mutu as Yurii Zhivago, Kelli Barrett (as Lara Guishar), Paul Alexander Nolan (as Pasha/Strelnikoff), Tom Hewitt (as Viktor Komarovsky) and Lora Lee Gayer (as Tonia Gromeko). The cast also features Jamie Jackson, Jacqueline Antamarian, Jonah Halperin, Sophia Gennusa, Ava-Riley Miles, Wendi Bergamini, Heather Botts, Ashley Brooke, Melody Butiu, Josh Canfield, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Julian Cihi, Bradley Dean, Michael Brian Dunn, Drew Foster, Kira Guloien, Rober Hager, Ericka Hunter, Dennis Lambert, David McDonald, Joseph Medeiros, Pilar Millholen, Gary Milner, Spencer Moses, Julius Sermonia, Jacob Smith, and Jesse Wildman.

I knew little of the show before I listened, and was impressed with the ‘size’ of the recording in terms of how symphonic the piece was. I have not been a real fan of the composer before (Lucy Simon who also wrote The Secret Garden) but this has made me want to go back to revisit her work again.

The story (which is impossible to follow on the CD, a pet hate of mine) is fully detailed in the excellent CD booklet, but is the same as the film - a multi-triangle love story set against a political war in Russia. The piece is pretty eclectic, and includes the famous ‘Somewhere My Love’ theme song from the movie. There are wonderful soaring ballads, and some very stirring story numbers too. It was very reminiscent for me of much of Frank Wildhorn’s work - no bad thing - and the excellent orchestrations from Danny Troob (with some assistance, notably Steve Margoshes) add another layer to this multi-faceted recording.

‘When The Music Played’ was my favourite track on here (we’re also treated to a cabaret version as a bonus) and the gorgeous 'When Love Finds You' along with 'It Comes As No Surprise' make this a very rewarding listen.

Another excellent release from Van and the team, and one they should be rightly proud of.

9

Ian Gude