Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
The legend of Argentina’s most beloved and hated first lady, Eva Perón
Department of Musical Theatre
Mendelssohn Theatre
October 15- 18, 2009
Overview
The Story: Illegitimate and impoverished, fifteen-year old Eva Duarte escaped rural Argentina to seek fame as an actress in Buenos Aires. Combining unfettered ambition and shrewd manipulation with astonishing charisma, Eva worked her way up the social ladder through theatre, movies, radio, and men, ultimately meeting Colonel Juan Perón – a rising star in the military and political scene. Together they form a union that carries Perón to the presidency. Eva’s power as First Lady would endear her to the masses, horrify established society, and effect hatred in the military. Only death could halt her meteoric rise, which brought an outpouring of public grief unseen until the death of Princess Diana. Filled with beautiful and terrible works, Eva Perón’s life and death would acquire mythical status.
Artistic Significance: Fresh on the heels of their smash success Jesus Christ Superstar, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber teamed up for what would be their final collaboration. Rice was fascinated by the (then) little known story of Eva Perón, whom Time Magazine in 1952 called “The 20th Century’s most powerful woman.” Fusing Latin, pop, and jazz influences with operatic chorales, Webber’s music along with Rice’s lyrics underscore the complexity and controversy that still surrounds Evita’s legacy. From its London debut in 1978, to the movie version in 1996, and recent London revival in 2006, Evita has earned over 20 major awards including seven Tonys, three Golden Gloves, and an Oscar. A dazzling theatrical portrait, Evita is as mesmerizing and contradictory as the woman herself.
This play contains adult situations. Recommended for ages 14 and over.
Cast
Cast members are pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre unless otherwise noted.
Dan Belnavis (Ensemble) sophomore, Montclair, NJ
Holland Bisson (Ensemble) seventh grade, Mill Creek Middle School, Dexter, MI
Hudsen Bisson (Ensemble) first grade, Cornerstone Elementary School, Dexter, MI
Daniel Berryman (Magaldi/Ensemble) sophomore, Seattle, WA
R. J. Brown (Ensemble) sophomore, Norfolk, VA
Joe Carroll (Ensemble) sophomore, Grand Rapids, MI
Cody Davis (Ensemble) junior, Tulsa, OK
Alex Finke (Ensemble) sophomore, Centerville, OH
Kevin Hegmann (Ensemble) senior, Lindenhurst, NY
Laura Irion (Perón’s Mistress/Ensemble) junior, Canton, OH
Sam Lips (Tango Dancer/Ensemble) sophomore, Parker, CO
Stephanie Maloney (Ensemble) senior, Pittsburgh, PA
Samantha Massell (Ensemble) sophomore, New York, NY
Allison McDowell (Ensemble) junior, Marietta, GA
Nora Menken (Ensemble) junior, North Salem, NY
Kevin Munhall (Ensemble/Dance Captain) senior, Wichita, KS
Leonard Navarro (Perón) senior, San Antonio, TX
Desi Oakley (Eva) junior, Wichita, KS
Mary Michael Patterson (Tango Dancer/Ensemble/Dance Captain) senior, Aledo, TX
Laura Reed (Ensemble) sophomore, Walnut Creek, CA
Sabra Satz-Kojis (Ensemble) eighth grade, Slauson Middle School, Ann Arbor, MI
Gavriel Savit (Ensemble) senior, Ann Arbor, MI
Joel Sparks (Ensemble) sophomore, Washington, DC
Ted Stevenson (Ensemble) sophomore, Sewickley, PA
Carlye Tamaren (Ensemble) sophomore, St. Louis, MO
James Tolbert (Ensemble) junior, Sterling Heights, MI
Carlos Valdes (Che) junior, Marietta, GA
