Evita

Located at Marquis Theatre , 1535 Broadway at 46th Street, The musical opened on April 5, 2012 and is an open-ended run. It runs for two hours fifteen minutes with one intermission.

Evita is a musical with music by Andre Lloyd Weber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976.

The musical opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in London on June 21, 1978 and closed February 8, 1986 after 2,900 performances. Elaine Page played Evita, David Essex as Che and Joss Ackerman as Peron. The show opened on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre on September 25, 1979 and closed June 26, 1983 after 1,567 performances and 17 previews. Patti LuPone was Evita, Mandy Pitinkin as Che and Bob Guntos as Peron. Harold Prince directed with choreography by Larry Fuller. This production won six Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, Lyrics (Tim Rice), Music (Weber), Outstanding Actress (Patty LuPone), Feature Actor (Bob Gunton), Director (HaroldPrince). It won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Lyrics (Rice). The musical won a Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Performance of a Leading Actress (LuPone), Best Performance of a Feature Actor (Pitinkin), Best Direction of a Musical (Prince), Best Set Design (Timothy O'Brien and Tazeen Firth) and Best Choreography (Larry Fuller).

Over the years the show has had several touring shows. In 2006 the London revival won an Laurence Olivier Award in 2007 for Outstanding Musical production.

In 1996 it was made into a movie starring Madonna as Evita, Antonio Banderas as Che and Jonathan Pryce as Peron. It was nominated four five Academy awards winning for Best Original song "You Must Love Me".

Ricky Martin made his Broadway debut in 1996 "Les Miserables". In 1999 he won a Grammy for "Best Latin Pop Album" for "Vuelve".

Michael Cerveris has been nominated for four Tony Awards. They are "The Who's Tommy" (1993), "Assassins" (2004 which he won)," Sweeney Todd" (2006) and "Love Music" (2007)

Elena Roger won a Laurence Olivier Award in 1999 for Best actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in "Piaf".

Rob Ashford is the Choreographer. On Broadway he was done , "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (2002 Tony Award)), "The Wedding Singer" (2006), "Curtains" (2007) , "Cry-Baby" (2008), "Promises, Promises" (2010) and How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" (2011) He was nominated for Tony Award for all of them.

The musical take place in Junin and Buenos Aires, Argentina 1934-1952.

Act One opens with Evitas funeral. The top part of the stage is a screen with the actual footage of the procession and funeral.

Evita (Elena Roger) is an actress. She has a reputation of shall we say getting around, with men. He lover Augustin Magaidi (Max Van Essen) is a tango and milonga singer. She dumps him when she meets Juan Peron (Michael Cerveris) in 1944. In turn she kicks out Juan mistress (Rachel Potters). Living with Juan caused a scandal. Every one is upset with relationship. She married Juan in 1945 becoming his second wife.

Che (Ricky Martin) relates different events to the audience about Evita.

In Act Two she has become First Lady of Argentina (6/4/46-7/20/52). She assume office as president in May of 1952. There is an uproar as to how qualified she is to hold office especially from the military

When she visited Italy and France she is given a cold reception.

Eventually she wins over the public.

Evita develops cervical cancer. Despite all efforts to save her she dies at the age of 33 (7/26/52). Her body disappeared after Juan was overthrown by the military. For sixteen years there was a mystery as to where her body was. In 1971 it was revealed she was buried in Milan, Italy.

This is a total musical, there is no dialogue.

Ricky Martin and Michael Cerveris voices are clear and beautiful. I found it hard to understand Elena Rogers sometimes. I don't know if it was her singing style.

The choreography is well done and graceful.

The set is done as the out side of a building and works well.

This show is worth seeing not only to hear the outstanding music again but to see this great cast.

Review by Rozanna Radakovich.

Photos by Annazor.