Coming Soon
From Composer Michael Rapp
Starring Ted Neeley
Rasputin
Be sure to visit the
Official Rasputin Web Sites
www.nasdrovia.com
www.MP3.com/neeleyrapp
Please do not upload this music to Napster
Rasputin may be on The Other Side, but the facts document his association with the Royal Romanov family which allowed him certain luxuries. Maybe an invitation to a Grand Waltz was in order as payment for his services, this we do not know. Heaven Help Us if he showed up to a gala event in his typical, peasant and drunkard form. Can you imagine the reaction? Shocking! Startling! Outrageous. Preposterous! No way in hell!! Some see Rasputin as a man of evil, some see him as a man of good. While some say he's a holy devil and some say misunderstood. You see a saint...a sinner, you hear an angel call. You hear the voice of Satan, I say God help us all! While soldiers were vowing that they Never Say Die even under dire circumstances, they would stand up and fight for what they believed. While back at home there was widespread famine and insurmountable odds intensifying the social unrest. People were shouting and creating such a scene that even the Romanov's could not help but notice. The people of Russia were economically disadvantaged and they finally had enough and gathered together to protest. It was time the unrest was known and they rose and gathered together to through up their arms and shout, We'd Rather Die Than Live Like This.
Although Czar Nicholas believed in his government, he was doubting his own ability to rule. Yet, Czar Nicholas, the beloved family man was historically accounted in numerous photographs taken of his family. Yet, for all his wealth and ruler of this vast empire, the Czar reflected on his fortunate life. He had everything he could ever hope for and he dreamed of these things with his Dresser. As the Czar prepares for public appearance, his only demand ...Don't Dress Me In Gray. Czar Nicholas' saber of silver in a scabbard of jade was a must have if he was to be seen in public. Just make his people happy and provide them with the fruits of their labor and love, but make sure he had his glass made of crystal and make it sure it was filled with the very best wine. All the Czar demanded was that his suit be perfection and he would never wear anything too dark, too drab, too dim...to deary, anything but gray. While outside his people wore shoes made of newspaper, maybe some had no shoes at all.
Stricken with another attack of hemophilia, Father Gregory is summoned to provide his healing magic. Tzaravitch Alexei see's Rasputin as his Merlin, his priest, his friend and without him...Alexei surely knew he would die. Together they would kindle a special friendship, a bond that would provoke young Tzaravitch Alexei to heal and get well. To play like young lads do. To reap with joy at the littlest of delights. With the peasant priests blessings, Alexei would rise from his bed and rejoice claiming a cure, a miracle!. Life is a road of twists and bends, that always stops...but never ends. But would his friendship be over before it really began? Or is this a friendship that has no bounds.
As daily life becomes more precarious for the people of Russia, a peasant couple vows their love for each other. Pledging to follow each other to Eternity. No matter what tomorrow would bring, I want you next to me...I will follow you to wternity, when the journey is finally through, I will gladly spend an eternity, my eternity with you. No matter what their plight, love still abound and one could only hope life would get better, can only pray that it could...but no matter what life brought, one thing was for sure, love is eternal.
Nasdrovia! Drink my friend for the night is young and tomorrow comes too soon. So drink with me, we've sung till the sorrow's gone...here's to you! Raise your glass to the heavens, raise your glass to the sky, drink it down till its empty, drink it down, drink it dry! Nasdrovia! May your soul be worth keeping...when your life is reclaimed...may the devil be sleeping...when the Lord calls your name! Nasdrovia! Toasts at every whim and to every delight. Frolic and dancing from evening to daylight...Rasputin loved to drink and drink he did! Delighting in women and appealing to them, he fondled their breasts and took them to bed. Make love to him and you make love with God? You must sin before you can be good? Oh the philosophies of Rasputin sure made a woman's head swim until she delightfully gave in.
While Rasputin enjoyed the pleasures in his "new" life,Tzaravitch Alexei was tired and once again growing weak. He had no answers, where was his charm? Did Rasputin not want to be his friend anymore? Never Give Up On You were Dervenko's words of encouragement. You must never give up on yourself, play out every hunch and you'll never believe what you can achieve. Miracles can happen as long as you believe and you never call it quits. Be strong, have faith, find hope in yourself and regardless of the the words, the sediments ring very true today...Never Give Up On You!
Still Czar Nicholas and Empress Alexandra shared the many heartaches, trials and tribulations of ruling a country that was up in arms begging for reform, their love was genuine. With Every Drop of rain, even through the window pane...if they were apart they would always think of each other until their safe return. Remembering every touch, the sparkle in their eyes, the delight in hearing their voice...and seeing their face through every window pane. True love and desire kept them together through and through, hand in hand. Could this love last? One can only fantasize at what could have been.
Through it all, there were Rasputin Themes with his Lady Lover that evoked no words, just romantic enterludes with a renound priest who swore to his goodness, gave pleasure and love for those women who were sinners and those who just believed. His eyes penetrating and his member, noteably well hung... that women flocked to him, wanting him, worshiping him and were simply devoted to him. Oh what a chance to taken to bed with a man graced by the mother of God. The only way to get to heaven, was to confess one's sins. And what better way, than to do it in bed.
Of course, the Heartbeat of Life is the Peasant Dance. Forget your troubles and put away your fears, just move to the music...dance to the beat. Any foot forward was one step better in life, and whether death came or it went, as long as one moved to the music and danced...it was the heartbeat of life to just dance!
How privileged Grand Dutchess Olga, Tatiana, Marie and Anastasia (OTMA was what other generally referred to them as) were living in the fairytale life of royalty. Servants waiting on them hand and foot, guards watching their every move, they were stuck in a fish bowl and not able to play like other children, not able to socialize with others like we do today. Frustrated with the way life was at times, Anatasia often suggested, Let's All Move To Siberia.
Then there is the case of Prince Felix Yusupov and his dark secret was of being a transvestite. He was eccentric and had everything one could imagine. Wealth, power, good looks and he wanted it all and more besides. It's rumored he wanted to have an affair with Rasputin, Tell Me If You Think I'm Russian, (Cause I Don't Want To Move Too Fast) but the peasant priest denied him proclaiming he loved women and not boys. This made Felix very angry and he became more inclined to believe that Rasputin had much more clout with the Royal family than should be allowed. With all this, Felix set out to destroy Rasputin anyway he could.
The unrest in the Royal family and the upheavel stirring outside, Czar Nicholas had enough of Rasputin and ordered him exiled to Siberia. He was never to return to St. Petersburg. Alexandra disraught over her husbands decision, she could only turn to God for mercy. She needed God to restore her faith, to tell her that everything was all right, she needed a miracle. She needed Rasputin. God Where Are You Now? She needed her priest to give her strength and guidance, to heal her son who had more frequent attacks, Alexei was becoming weaker...she was sure her son would die. Alexandra needed hope.
After seeing Alexandra's will slowly wilting, Czar Nicholas recinded Rasputin exile and called him back to St. Petersberg to heal his son. Alexei nearing death, Rasputin was rushed in to save the precious son and make him well again. The Romanov family elated with joy, vowed Because of You Alexei will live. But, the Royal family doctor still had his doubts about Rasputin and still considered him a fake. A no good for nothing bum, a scoundrel, and tragedy would only prevail if the Royal family kept this staret around.
Rasputin had many visions in his life...the most prominent was his own death. He foresaw the worst was yet to come. He was not afriad, he had God in his hands, in his soul, his heart, and he healed others by his faith. But no matter what, Rasputin blamed God for these events. Rasputin evoked God to participate in one last drink and share this cup of shame, for there was Blood On Your Hands and it was God's and all his plans. Together Rasputin proclaimed that he and God were to blame for the eveil unrest brewing in the house of the Russian people.
Shortly after that, Rasputin left a note that told of his foreseen death, the decline of the Romanov rule, their ultimate fate. That note has been regenerated on the Starets web page.
Note: Excerpts from the lyrics and song descriptions contained on this page are used with permission by Michael Rapp.
Below is a photo taken by Tom Murray, a most loyal solider whose family had the honor to be a part of this rare event. This was taken at a rehearsal for the showcase presentation of Rasputin. Ted at rehearsal obviously contemplating his role as Rasputin. In that respect, I would like to share a note sent to me from Ted on January 30, 2000, I select an excerpt that depicts Ted's sincere appreciattion for his fans:
I always enjoy hearing from happy listeners especially when they are also patient enough to be on waiting lists. Please give my regards and a special thank you...
TN
WAITING LIST
If you would like to be included on my waiting list for an e-mail regarding any updates or CD release dates, please send me an E-Mail..you will be promptly notified. I assure you that all of your mail gets forwarded to Ted and Michael for each of them to read and enjoy!
This page was created by: Kathy
Originally created: 1999
Last Revised: July 22, 2000
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