The benefits of reviving a show on Broadway is that it can be reinvented and refreshed as if it is a new story being told. Of course, with EVITA, this is not only a musical that has had it’s place in history, but it is one that is full and rich with real-life history. Here are some things to know about the changes and updates that have been made to this iconic and classic musical.

FOCUS ON AUTHENTICITY

The creative team has done extensive research about Argentina and the Peróns to present a more authentic look at the story, while still paying homage to the iconic moments.

When ALW and Tim Rice wrote Evita in the 1970s, only Rice had visited Argentina, and there wasn’t as much accessible information about the Peróns outside of Argentina as there is today.

In the 1970s, Latin culture was less familiar to the general English and American public than it is now so the musical was written with an admittedly “Anglo” perspective of Argentine culture for an audience that wouldn’t have had a reference.

ALW and David Cullen have re-orchestrated the show to give it a more authentic, Latin sound.

Rob Ashford’s choreography reflects a more Argentinean style by incorporating tango. Furthermore, this production features more dance than any of its predecessors as dance is an inherent and important part of the Argentine culture.

The design is inspired by Argentine architecture.

NEW SONG

There is a new song added to the score since the original production: Oscar-winning “You Must Love Me” – written for the 1996 film and was included in the ‘06 London production.

CHE

In this production, the narrating role of Che is as it was written for the original concept album – an “everyman” (in Argentina, “che” means “guy”) that serves as the voice of the people; not Che Guevara. Using Che Guevara as inspiration for the role was a choice made by the original production’s director, Hal Prince.

Webber & Rice have said they wrote the role of Che with a pop/rock star in mind (specifically: David Essex)

Want to read about the history of Eva Peron? Click here to see our previous blog post.

Want to read about the history behind the major scenes in EVITA? Click here to see our previous blog post.

EVITA is on stage now thru April 27th at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Click here for tickets and more information.

See you at the theater!

-DSM Amanda

NATIONAL TOUR OF
TIM RICE’S AND ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S

EVITA

IS COMING TO DALLAS SUMMER MUSICALS
FOR A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT APRIL 15-27
AT THE MUSIC HALL AT FAIR PARK

Dallas, TX…Experience the passion and seduction in this elegant masterpiece, Tony Award®-winning musical EVITA.

Dallas Summer Musicals presents EVITA April 15-27, 2014 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Single tickets are priced from $20-$90, available at The Box Office, 5959 Preston Royal Shopping Center #542 in Dallas, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount and priority seating. Please call 214-426-GROUP214-426-GROUP (4768) or email groups@dallassummermusicals.org.

Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford, this is the first new Broadway production of the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, since it debuted on Broadway over 30 years ago. The New York Post said “The wait was worth it: packed with memorable tunes, EVITA is a MODERN MASTERPIECE!”

Eva Perón used her beauty and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady. Adored by her people as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world — while her greed, outsized ambition and fragile health made her one of the most tragic. EVITA tells Eva’s passionate and unforgettable true story, and features some of theater’s most beautiful songs, including “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” and “High Flying, Adored.”

Produced by Hal Luftig, Scott Sanders and Troika Entertainment, the creative team includes tour director Seth Sklar-Heyn, tour choreographer Chris Bailey, Tony Award-winning scenic and costume designer Christopher Oram, Tony Award-winning lighting designer Neil Austin, Olivier Award-winning sound designer Mick Potter, wig and hair designer Richard Mawbey, projection designer Zachary Borovay, and music supervisor Kristen Blodgette, music director/conductor William Waldrop, orchestrations are by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Cullen, and dance arrangements are by David Chase.

Josh Young who is performing the role of “Che” in the current national tour, is playing the part as it was originally written, as did his predecessor on Broadway.  The narrating role of “Che” is reverted to the way it was conceived for the concept album – as an ‘everyman’ of the lower/working class, serving as the voice of the people, not Che Guevara.

Using Che Guevara as inspiration for the role was a choice made by Hal Prince when he staged the original production.

EVITA stars Caroline Bowman as Eva Peron, Tony-Award nominee Josh Young as Che and Sean McLaughlin as Juan Peron.  The cast also features Desi Oakley as the alternate for Eva Peron, Christopher Johnstone as Magaldi and Krystina Alabado as the Mistress.  EVITA, written by Tim Rice, with a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford.

DSM 2014 season shows continue with MAMMA MIA!, June 3-15, 2014; and NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, September 2-14, 2014.

Please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org for a complete schedule of performances or more information about Dallas Summer Musicals.

# # #

For media information, including photos, interviews or reviewer passes, please contact Jo Ann Holt at joannholt@gmail.com or 469-363-7371469-363-7371.