Evita

Tickets

Tickets are now available from our usual outlets.

Brief description

Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. The story follows Evita’s early life, rise to power, charity work, and death.

The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. Its success led to productions in London’s West End in 1978, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and on Broadway a year later, where it was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical. This has been followed by a string of professional tours and worldwide productions and numerous cast albums, as well as a 1996 film adaptation starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas.

Our production will be directed by Barry Thompson and our musical director is Kaye Tompkins.

Brief synopsis

Evita is based on the historical story of María Eva Duarte de Perón, a poor Argentinian girl who grows up to be the wife of the president of Argentina, worshipped by her people. As a young woman who longs for an acting career, fame, and fortune, Eva quickly learns that her feminine wiles hold power among a culture, and a political system, run by men. Once she makes it to Buenos Aires, Evita finds fame and power in her powers of seduction, eventually seducing the rising political figure, Juan Perón, who becomes the President of Argentina. As First Lady of Argentina, she aligns herself with the poor. This allows herself, and Perón, to win popularity among Argentinians. Evita becomes a hero to the poor and the working class­ – and an enemy to the rich. A young and unknown revolutionary, Ché, narrates the rise and fall of the beloved matriarch of the Argentinian people. This blockbuster musical shows both the righteous determination, and the ruthless power, of Argentina’s 20th century matriarch.

Character​s in the show

Young Eva Duarte – Playing age 15-20 years

Strong singer and dancer. We intend, if possible, to cast a young Evita for the early part of the show. She needs the same approximate attributes as the older Evita.

Eva​ ​Duarte​ ​Peron -​ ​Playing age 20-35 years

Eva is a beautiful, ambitious and power-seeking woman, who rises to become the spiritual leader of Argentina by the age of 26. She must be able to project both toughness and charisma. She is also a woman of few options, who uses her sexuality to build power. The actor playing this role must be an excellent vocalist with strong vocal stamina and control. She must also be a passionate and strong actor who can move well. A​ ​strong,​ ​versatile​ ​actress​ ​who​ can ​belt​ ​to​ ​G,​ ​and​ ​can​ ​dance.​ ​Must​ ​be charismatic,​ ​feminine,​ ​sensual,​ ​and​ ​tough​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time.​ ​Evita’s​ ​age​ ​ranges​ ​from​ ​15​ ​to​ ​33 over​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​the​ ​show.​ ​Must​ ​have​ ​the​ ​physical​ ​stamina​ ​and​ ​vocal​ ​endurance​ ​for this​ ​demanding​ ​role.​ ​(Range:​ ​Mezzo​ ​with​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​belt:​ ​Low​ ​E​ ​(below​ ​middle​ ​C)​ ​to high​ ​G)​ ​Note:​ ​A demanding​ ​role,​ the performer ​will​ ​be​ ​called​ ​to​ ​most​ ​rehearsals.

​Che Gueverra – Playing age 25-35 years

​A​ ​hard-edged​ ​everyman​ ​with​ ​an​ ​extremely​ ​volatile​ ​nature​. ​He​ ​serves​ ​as​ ​narrator​ ​of​ ​the show​ ​and​ ​antagonist​ ​to​ ​Eva​ ​Peron.​ ​Must​ ​move​ ​well​ ​and​ ​have​ ​the​ ​physical​ ​stamina​ ​and​ ​vocal endurance​ ​to​ ​withstand​ ​the​ ​rigors​ ​of​ ​a​ ​demanding​ ​role.​ Che is dashing, impulsive, jealous, and manipulative. He is a political activist (modelled on the actual Argentine-born Cuban guerrilla fighter Che Gueverra but according to the authors, he is only supposed to be representative of all activists). Che is the “narrator” and Greek Chorus of the show. He isn’t reluctant to ask tough questions and demand answers. He must be an actor/singer who can move very well with a high, rock tenor voice that can sing a low A to high B, falsetto to high F.

President/​ ​Col.​ ​Juan​ ​Peron – Playing range 35 – 50 years

​A​ ​prominent​ ​army​ ​officer​ ​who​ ​becomes​ ​the​ ​President​ ​of Argentina.​ ​Stately,​ ​charismatic​ ​and​ ​charming. He should also be dignified and authoritative. Strong actor. (Range:​ ​Legit​ ​baritone​ ​with​ ​a​ ​powerful​ ​voice:​ ​Low A​ ​to​ ​high​ ​F#)

Agustin​ ​Magaldi – Playing age 30-40 years

​A​ ​Tango​ ​singer​ ​and​ ​Eva’s​ ​first​ ​love​ ​interest.​ He will also appear in the ensemble. He should be able to portray a Latin American “personality” type with a feel that needs to be bigger than life, he will also be required to be part of the ensemble at other times.

The Mistress Playing age 20- 25

​An​ ​innocent-looking​ ​young​ ​woman. ​ ​She​ ​is​ ​Peron’s​ ​mistress​ ​before​ ​he​ ​and​ ​Eva become​ ​a​ ​couple.​ ​She​ ​has​ ​a​ ​stunning​ ​number​ ​in​ ​act​ ​one​ ​called​ ​‘Another​ ​Suitcase​ ​in​ ​Another Hall’.​ ​Vocally,​ ​must​ ​have​ ​a​ ​sweet-​sounding​ ​high​ ​mix.​ ​Must be a strong mover. The​ ​person​ ​cast​ ​in​ ​this​ ​role​ ​will​ ​also​ ​be​ ​in the​ ​ensemble. (Range:​ ​High​ ​mix/belt:​ ​Low​ ​A​ ​to​ ​E)

Santa​ ​Evita​ ​Soloist Playing age 10 -15 years

​Girl​ ​with​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​treble​ ​voice​ ​and​ ​innocent​ ​look​ ​needed​ ​for​ ​a featured​ ​solo​ ​in​ ​Act​ ​II.​ ​Some​ ​flexibility​ ​with​ ​arrival/departure​ ​times​ ​for​ ​rehearsals​ ​& performances​ ​is​ ​possible,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​girl​ ​is​ ​only​ ​in​ ​one​ ​number. (Age​ ​6-13,​ range:​ ​Treble)

Ensemble

For the men, women and children of Argentina, we are seeking a broad range of males and females of any ethnicity from late teens to 70s. All must have excellent singing voices in all ranges and must be able to sing in excellent harmony. All must understand the Latin temperament even if they don’t fit into the “look.” The ensemble will double in all other roles from Generals to peasants. Strong movement ability a plus. The Ensemble play a wide variety of roles throughout the show.