EVITA
EVITA, the Broadway show that won seven Tony Awards and became one of the most celebrated musicals of all time,will return to Los Angeles in an all-new production helmed by Hal Prince and Larry Fuller, both of whom were responsible for the ground-breaking original Broadway production. EVITA will come to Los Angeles for a strictly limited two-week engagement at the Pantages Theater, March 1-13, 2005.
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| KATHY VOYTKO as Eva Peron and PHILIP HERNANDEZ as Juan Peron in EVITA |
Winner of seven Tony Awards, EVITA brings to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator, Juan Peron. Eva Peron, blessed with charisma, captivated a nation by championing the working class. The epic story of the rise and fall of Eva Peron is told in a sweeping pop opera, featuring one of Broadway's most dynamic and lush melodies, "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina". From her illegitimate birth into poverty, to her status as a world player and South America's most important woman, EVITA 's story is one of glamour, power and greed.
This is a first-rate production of a musical theatre classic, full of recognizable tunes and lots of drama. It features a well chosen talented cast as well as luscious costumes, and jewels. The lighting is effective and intriguing. The stage is stark almost bare with a movie screen projecting pictures of the real Eva Peron throughout the evening. Kathy Voytko who plays the part of Eva Peron has a lovely and strong voice and pulls of a very moving inspiring part as Argentines first lady. Che Guevara played by Bradley Dean physically fits his part of the narrator and voice of the people. Phillip Hernandez is convincing as Juan Peron. Kate Manning is fragile as the mistress.
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| BRADLEY DEAN as Che in EVITA |
It is July 26, 1952. A young Argentine student, Che Guevara, is among the audience in a Buenos Aires cinema when the film is stopped by an announcement that Eva Peron, "the spiritual leader of the nation, has entered immortality." Eva's funeral is majestic. Huge crowds, pageantry, wailing and lamentation prevail. Che Guevara is the only non-participant.
Flashback to 1943, as Colonel Juan Peron is one of several military leaders close to the presidency of an extremely unstable Argentina. At a charity concert held to raise money for earthquake victims, Eva and Peron meet. From that moment on, Eva switches her ambitions from acting to politics. As the political situation becomes even more uncertain, it is Eva, rather than Peron, who is convinced that her husband should try for the presidency, supported by the workers whose backing she and Peron have long cultivated. Eva's dream is realized, and on June 4, 1946, Peron becomes President in front of a tremendous crowd, who continuously chant "Evita, Evita, Evita."
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| KATHY VOYTKO as Eva Peron Sings "Rainbow High" |
Eva Peron's glamorous rise to power and position stands in stark contrast to the demise of her physical body, and through a battle with terminal illness, she eventually must acknowledge her own mortality -- both to herself and to her adoring legions. It is this striking dichotomy within the life of a legendary public figure that so intrigued Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to create a work that owes as much to opera as to Broadway.
Renowned Director/Producer Hal Prince will once again be joining forces with Choreographer Larry Fuller to recreate the TONY award winning Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical EVITA. Managing the entire creative process including casting, rehearsals, and set design, Mr. Prince has a personal love for this legendary piece of musical theatre. Mr. Prince directed the premiere productions of "She Loves Me", "Cabaret", "Company", "Follies", "Sweeney Todd", "The Phantom of the Opera", "Parade" and many more. The recipient of twenty Tony Awards in a career that stretches over half a century, Mr. Princes first Tony Award winning musical was "The Pajama Game", earning Best Musical in 1954.
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| The Company of Evita Sings "A New Argentina" |
Directing this touring production in collaboration with Mr. Prince will be Larry Fuller. In addition to his 1980 TONY nomination for Best Choreography, Mr. Fuller's other credits include "Sweeney Todd", "On the Twentieth Century" and Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along". Mr. Fuller has twice staged and choreographed both the TONY and EMMY Awards. Both Mr. Fuller and Mr. Prince are very excited to once again be bringing their revolutionary staging of EVITA to audiences throughout America.
Tim Rice won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score for EVITA. He wrote the stage musicals "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Chess", "King David, and The Lion King". He received Oscars for EVITA 's, "You Must Love Me", and "A Whole New World" from "Aladdin".
Andrew Lloyd Webber won a Tony Award for Best Score for EVITA. He is the composer of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "By Jeeves", "Song & Dance", "Cats", "Starlight Express", "The Phantom of the Opera", "Aspects of Love", "Sunset Boulevard" and "Whistle Down the Wind". He has won six Tony's, three Grammy's and an Oscar in 1997 for EVITA 's "You Must Love Me".
Beginning its life as a concept album in 1976, EVITA instantly became a global phenomenon. It was the first mega musical when it opened at the Broadway Theatre on September 25, 1979, setting records for the largest box office advance. It went on to sweep all theatre awards in 1979, winning seven Tony's including Best Musical, Score, Book and Director. It played 1,568 performances, closing June 25, 1983.
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| KATHY VOYTKO as Eva Peron in EVITA |
EVITA became the first Broadway show to be reproduced successfully in every major city in the world, including the Philippines, where it had been banned under the Marcos regime because of the uncomfortable parallels to Imelda Marcos.
EVITA also became the first musical since the Rodgers & Hammerstein era to burst on to the world's pop charts. Four of the show's song's including the break out hit "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" were recorded globally. The Broadway cast album won a Grammy in 1981.
A new generation was introduced to EVITA in December 1996 when Alan Parker's critically acclaimed film version opened starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. The film received five Oscar nominations, winning for Best Song, and won three Golden Globes including Best Picture.
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
Dates:
Tuesday, March 1 - Sunday, March 13, 2005
Theatre:
Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday - Thursday at 7:30 PM (early curtain!)
Friday at 8:00 PM
Saturday at 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Sunday at 1:00 PM & 6:30 PM
Prices:
Orchestra & Mezzanine $67.50
Front Balcony $57.50
Rear Balcony $42.50
Tickets:
Pantages Theatre Box Office,
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
All Ticketmaster Outlets
Charge by Phone: 213-365-3500 or
714-740-7878
Online: www.broadwayla.org
For more information on this and all Broadway/L.A. presentations, visit their website:
www.BroadwayLA.org
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