The story of the last Russian Monarch sets the stage for this magnificent musical. The love of Nicolas and Alexandra endures in the face of political intrigue, jealousy, greed, and revolution.

SYNOPSIS

Tsarina is a musical based on the true story of Nicholas and Alexandra, the last of the Romanov Russian Monarchs. The mid-nineteenth century was a time when political treachery, greed, and superstition abounded in Europe and Russia, and religious beliefs and traditions were challenged. The couple’s devotion transcended incredible odds, and their love story remains one of the greatest romances of all times!

MAIN CHARACTERS

ACT I

RAZ opens the musical by presenting his scheme to rule the world with RAZ-MA-TAZ.  When the future Tsar of Russia, NICHOLAS appears, the young heir reveals his fears about assuming the throne. He struggles openly with his role as Russia’s next ruler in “Who I Was Meant to Be.”  ALEXANDRA, in contrast to NICHOLAS, is brimming with self-confidence. She is a favored child of the German Court, the daughter of European royalty. She sings joyously of “Dishes, Dolls, Dresses and Dreams” with her mother and sisters.

NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA meet and fall in love as young teenagers. Unsure of themselves, they wonder, “What Is Love?”   Through the ensuing years, separated by time and distance, the young couple wonders if they have a future together. Despite their nations’ conflicting traditions and mounting political tensions, the two yearn for each other. In the meantime, ALEXANDRA’S father, the DUKE, is anxious for his daughter to marry well. Therefore, he produces a parade of suitors, which ALEXANDRA playfully maligns in “The Suitors Three.” Her father, exasperated by his daughter’s rejection of each admirer, exclaims, “Impossible!” NICHOLAS’ father, the ruling Tsar GREGORY, encourages his reluctant son to face his future with courage, offering the fatherly advice, “If Only You Believe.”

Although the young lovers remain a continent apart, NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA express their longing for each other in ”I Wish For You and I” (duet).  Eventually NICHOLAS yields to political pressure to marry. His family persuades him to accept an engagement with the manipulative and controlling French Princess JOLIN. Such an alliance would offer Russia political advantages. Plans for the marriage are confounded when when ALEXANDRA and her father unexpectedly attend the Romanov’s royal engagement party. Once NICHOLAS is reunited with his first love, his world turns upside down. The future Tsar finds the courage to end the engagement to JOLIN and pursue his true love, ALEXANDRA.  However, the ever- resourceful JOLIN is not a woman accustomed to rejection. As she sings “Jilted,” she plans her revenge.  Meanwhile, NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA proclaim their “Undying Love”(duet) for each other.

The marriage of NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA is a landmark event: the young couple decide to marry for love rather than for monetary gain, military power, or political alliance. Such a commitment requires sacrifice. ALEXANDRA leaves her country, converts to Catholicism, and takes her marriage vows as the new Tsarina, singing “So In Love With You.”  The “Wedding Dance” commences the nuptial party.

As time passes, the reluctant Tsar grapples with increasing political unrest in Europe and the threat of war. In the meantime, their royal family grows by four daughters. Once grown, the oldest daughter OLGA falls in love with a Russian officer, PHILIP. Like her parents before her, OLGA boldly declares her love in “Never Say Goodbye” (duet).   In addition, NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA face increasing pressure to produce a male heir. ALEXANDRA, a woman of action, takes matters into her own hands and solicits spiritual help from the mysterious Holy Man, RAZ.

When Act I concludes, Russia is at war. NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA rejoice in the blessed birth of a son, yet the child is a bittersweet gift. The boy is afflicted with the blood disease carried through the Romanov’s royal line, hemophilia.

ACT II

The second act presents the stark contrast between the royal class and the commoners. Russia faces wartime pressures both within and beyond her borders. Tsar NICHOLAS tours the countryside, witnessing first hand the peasants begging for provisions as they plead for assistance in “Wait A Little Longer.” RAZ extends his evil influence at a crucial time in Russia’s history, but underestimates both the growing strength of NICHOLAS and the passionate love between him and ALEXANDRA. NICHOLAS, as Commander in Chief, stations himself on the front lines in Russia’s conflict with Germany, Austria and Hungary.  He sings with his army the “Song Of War.”

RAZ capitalizes on his influence over the increasingly desperate mother ALEXANDRA, by promising to heal the royal son’s bruises with a sorcerer’s seemingly supernatural powers, “If You Listen to Me.” With the Tsar at the battlefront, ALEXANDRA assumes the command of the Russian army at home. The opportunistic Holy Man, RAZ wastes no time in exerting control over the Tsarina’s decisions.

The spurned princess JOLIN returns, turning citizens against ALEXANDRA, and hailing the Tsarina as a traitor because she is a German national.  RAZ and JOLIN, as cohorts, rollick through the song and dance, “Richer Than I,” joyously anticipating their future power and wealth.

ALEXANDRA, faced with the pressures of protecting her family and leading the home troops, sings “I Need You” while NICHOLAS protects his country on the front lines. As their beloved Russia crumbles under the weight of political and financial conflicts, Alexandra seeks comfort by recalling a happier past in “I Remember.”

As public unrest and political dissent increases within Russia’s borders, NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA know they must move their family quickly to save their lives. NICHOLAS returns home to Tsarskoe Selo one last time, and they gather their belongings before going into exile. They sing the passionate, gospel-style “Glory Road.”

The closing scene emphasizes the hope that their “Undying Love” will give them the strength to face an uncertain future.

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