Musicals/Broadway

20 MP3 Songs
EASY LISTENING: Musicals/Broadway, EASY LISTENING: Love Songs



Details:
SYNOPSIS
Tsarina is an original musical by Deborah Johnson 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 coupleâs devotion transcended incredible odds, and their love story remains one of the greatest romances of all times!

MAIN CHARACTERS:
RAZ:A self-proclaimed âholy man.â Sorcerer of questionable intent, with plans to rule the world.

ALEXANDRA: Strong-willed, beautiful royal German Princess who loves
and marries the future Tsar.

NICHOLAS: Last heir in the Russian Romanov Dynasty. Overcomes his self-doubt, becomes Tsar, marries for love.

JOLIN: A French princess, rejected fiancé of Nicolas. Joins Raz to seek revenge,
gain riches and power.

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 Russiaâs next ruler in âWho I Was Meant to Be.â 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 âDishes, Dolls, Dresses and Dreamsâ with her mother and sisters.

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

Although the young lovers remain a continent apart, NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA express their longing for each other in âI Wish For You and Iâ (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 Romanovâs 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 âJilted,â she plans her revenge. Meanwhile, NICHOLAS and ALEXANDRA proclaim their âUndying Loveâ(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 âSo In Love With You.â The âWedding Danceâ 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 âNever Say Goodbyeâ (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 Romanovâs 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 âWait A Little Longer.â RAZ extends his evil influence at a crucial time in Russiaâs 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 Russiaâs conflict with Germany, Austria and Hungary. He sings with his army the âSong Of War.â

RAZ capitalizes on his influence over the increasingly desperate mother ALEXANDRA, by promising to heal the royal sonâs bruises with a sorcererâs seemingly supernatural powers, âIf You Listen to Me.â 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 Tsarinaâs 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, âRicher Than I,â joyously anticipating their future power and wealth.

ALEXANDRA, faced with the pressures of protecting her family and leading the home troops, sings âI Need Youâ 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 âI Remember.â

As public unrest and political dissent increases within Russiaâs 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 âGlory Road.â

The closing scene emphasizes the hope that their âUndying Loveâ will give them the strength to face an uncertain future.

ALBUM CREDITS and INTERESTING TIDBITS
VOCALS
Tsarina Alexandra: DEBORAH JOHNSON
Tsar Nicholas: CHARLIE CLARK
Raz: MIKE ANDERSON
Jolin: JOYCE ANDERSON
Duke: PHIL LOLLAR
Tsar: DAVID JOHNSON
Earl of Gwenivitch; Prince of Kadafidan; Duke of Calador (Suitors 3) (1) CHARLIE CLARK
(2) MIKE ANDERSON (3) PHIL LOLLAR
Mother: LORI DONATO
Olga: MICAH PEARSAL
Phillip: CHARLIE CLARK
Chorus: MICAH PEARSAL, MELANIE SMITH, JOYCE ANDERSON, DEBORAH
JOHNSON, CHARLIE CLARK, MIKE ANDERSON
Vocal coaching: CHARLIE CLARK and DEBORAH JOHNSON

INSTRUMENTS
Keyboards and sequencing: RICHARD CALLACI
Guitars: JACK MADJECKI
Violin: SANDY MACKINGA
Pre-production of all tracks and some piano: DEBORAH JOHNSON

Recorded and Mixed by Richard Callaci at Callaci Studios
Chorus recorded at DJWorks studios
Mastered by Iam Keene
Artwork, Logo and CD design by Doug Haverty at Art & Soul
Script and Synopsis readers: Marcia Barryte, Paula Miller, Lori Donato, Greg Johnson

DEBORAH JOHNSON'S BIO:
"....A talented and professional entertainer...
One of the best shows we've had in the last several years....
A beautiful performance!"

Deborah Johnson is a brilliant, multi-talented vocalist and pianist, composer, arranger, and recording artist. She has thrilled audiences worldwide with her innovative, spectacular piano arrangements and her voice, with a range compared to great artists such as Barbra Streisand and Sarah Brightman. She has performed in television, radio, theatres and concert halls as well as at Hollywood âAâ list parties. Her corporate clients include Disney, Fairmont Corporation, Marriott and many others. Her musical heritage comes from a grandmother who came over from Italy to play violin in Carnegie Hall when she was 16, also graduating from the New York Conservatory of Music in 1920, quite a feat for a woman at that time.

Currently Deborah stars in six distinctive one-woman shows, ranging from âWonderful World of Webberâ to âMusical Movie Magic,â has written two full-length musicals, and has released ten CDs, enjoying national airplay. She is in demand as a âfirst callâ artist for numerous entertainment agencies in Southern California. Deborah has also received many awards for her inspiring educational projects and is an acclaimed adjunct college professor. Her musicals, One Little Kiss and Tsarina, are currently receiving rave reviews.

The depth of her talent is exemplified in her unique arrangements and original compositions. With both classical training and rock-gospel roots, Deborah is a "triple threat" dynamic "tour-de-force" whose act is a "must see"!

WEBSITES:
www.DJWorksMusic.com
www.Tsarinathemusical.com
www.Chocolateesongsoflove.com
www.OneLittleKissthemusical.com