The new Lara and Yuri! The Broadway version of Doctor Zhivago is cast with newcomers stepping into the roles played by Julie Christie and Omar Sharif 

By Laurel Brown for MailOnline

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The world has a new Yuri and Lara.

On Monday it was announced Tam Mutu and Kelli Barrett would step into the roles made famous by Omar Sharif and Julie Christie in the 1965 big-screen drama Doctor Zhivago.

Instead of a new movie, however, the story will play out on Broadway. They will join previously cast actors Tom Hewitt (as Viktor Komarovsky) and Paul Nolan (as Pasha Antipov) in the stage production set to open in spring 2015.

Stars: Broadway's Doctor Zhivago musical has cast Kelli Barrett (right) and Tam Mutu (left) to play its two lead roles, Lara and Yuri Zhivago
Stars: Broadway's Doctor Zhivago musical has cast Kelli Barrett (right) and Tam Mutu (left) to play its two lead roles, Lara and Yuri Zhivago

Taking on loved charactrers: Broadway's Doctor Zhivago musical has cast Kelli Barrett (left) and Tam Mutu (right) to play its two lead roles, Lara and Yuri Zhivago, respectively

Big shoes to fill: Those same roles were made famous by Julie Christie (left) and Omar Sharif (right) in the 1965 movie of the same name

Big shoes to fill: Those same roles were made famous by Julie Christie (left) and Omar Sharif (right) in the 1965 movie of the same name

Although also based on the Nobel prize-winning book by Boris Pasternak, the Doctor Zhivago musical is expected to follow the movie more closely.

The story is set in Russia and takes place over several decades, including the times of World War I, the Soviet Revolution, and World War II.

In the epic tale, Zhivago - a married medical doctor and poet - falls in love with the also-married Lara, despite the ravages of history surrounding them.

Epic: Taking place over several decades, Doctor Zhivago follows its central couple through affairs, separation, and several wars

Epic: Taking place over several decades, Doctor Zhivago follows its central couple through affairs, separation, and several wars

Numerous affairs and separations occur before the story's tragic ending.

For the musical version, Tony winner Des McAnuff will direct from a book by Oscar nominee Michael Weller, music from Grammy winner Lucy Simon, lyrics by Michael Korie and Amy Powers, and choreography from Kelly Devine.

A newcomer to Broadway, Mutu played Inspector Javert in the London production of Les Miserables.

Another lover: Paul Nolan (seen here starring in Once) was previously cast as Lara's husband, Pasha Antipov

Another lover: Paul Nolan (seen here starring in Once) was previously cast as Lara's husband, Pasha Antipov

Older star: Tom Courtnenay was nominated for an Oscar playing the Pasha role in the film

Older star: Tom Courtnenay was nominated for an Oscar playing the Pasha role in the film

Barrett, meanwhile, is known for playing Nessarose in Wicked and also appeared in The Royal Family and Baby It's You.

David Lean's 1965 movie was one of the biggest commercial hits of all-time, standing at number 8 for box-office earnings when prices have been adjusted for inflation.

It won five Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture.

The movie also won the Golden Globe award for Best Picture.

Darker character: Tom Hewitt will play the somewhat nefarious Viktor Komarovsky, Lara's powerful lover

Darker character: Tom Hewitt will play the somewhat nefarious Viktor Komarovsky, Lara's powerful lover

Elegant menace: Rod Steiger played the Komarovsky role in the movie version

Elegant menace: Rod Steiger played the Komarovsky role in the movie version

 

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