Evita: Passion and Action

"...I need to be dazzling... I want to be rainbow high..."

The Museo Evita of Buenos Aires has brought an exhibition of Eva Peron's dresses and personal items to New York City, now through September 28th at the Consulate General of Argentina on 56th St (between 5th and 6th Ave). Also on display are photographs and artwork of Argentina's former First Lady. Admission is free. Check it out if you want a sneak peek into the life of the real Eva Peron. Below are photographs of some of Evita's beautiful dresses that are currently on display at the exhibit. 

Laura Osnes- Dream A Little Dream, Live at the Cafe Carlyle

Released: 9/14/12 on iTunes

After spending the past five years rising to Broadway stardom in shows like Grease, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and Bonnie and Clyde, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes has released her debut solo album titled, Dream a Little Dream, Live at the Cafe Carlyle recorded June 28-30, 2012. The album also features Tom Wopat, Jeremy Jordan, and Nathan Johnson. 

With her crystalline and versatile voice, Laura Osnes is a rising star, likely to someday join the ranks of legends like Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone. Her new album, which covers many beloved show tunes, does not disappoint her musical theatre fans. She has taken these beloved show tunes and really made them her own, all while making her singing appear effortless. This live recording showcases her enormous talent. 

One of my favorite songs from the album is “Till There Was You” from Meredith Wilson’s, The Music Man, and Laura’s flawless version may be my all-time favorite recording of this song. I also liked “Anything You Can Do”, a duet with Jeremy Jordan, which was very funny and charming. The song is reminiscent of their chemistry in the musical, Bonnie and Clyde.  

Other memorable songs were “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, which incorporated a recording of Laura singing the same song at age 12, and a duet with her husband, Nathan Johnson (“A Whole New World”). There is also a bonus track that gives listeners a little “sneak peek” into Laura’s newest Broadway show, Cinderella. 

The best part of this recording is that it allows you to hear a little piece of her story for the first time through dialogue and music. 

Anyone who loves musical theatre must add this album to their music collection!

UPCOMING BROADWAY MUSICALS

1.) Chaplin the Musical

Chaplin dramatizes the life and career of beloved film actor Charlie Chaplin. 

Cast includes: Rob McClure, Jim Borstelmann, Jenn Colella, Erin Mackey, Michael McCormick, Christiane Noll, Zachary Unger, Wayne Alan Wilcox

Opened: September 10, 2012

Location: Ethel Barrymore Theatre

2.) Annie

Everyone knows the story of Orphan Annie, who in taken in by billionaire Oliver Warbucks for the Christmas holiday, but only wants to find her real parents.  Annie’s search for her parents is complicated by Miss Hannigan, hater of little girls, and the sleazy Rooster and Lily, who pretend to be Annie’s parents. 

Cast includes: Lilla Crawford, Anthony Warlow, Katie Finneran, Brynn O’Malley, J. Elaine Marcos, Clarke Thorell

Preview: 10/3/12

Opens: 11/8/12

Location: Palace Theatre

3.) Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson

With book and lyrics by Kathy Lee Gifford, Scandalous tells the story of 1920’s evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson as she saved souls in the midst of scandal and controversy. 

Cast includes: Carolee Carmello, George Hearn, Edward Watts, Roz Ryan, Andrew Samonsky

Preview: 10/13/12

Opens: 11/15/12

Location: Neil Simon Theatre

4.) The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Based on the unfinished final novel by Charles Dickens, this musical attempts to answer the question, “Who killed Edwin Drood”? 

Cast includes: Chita Rivera, Jim Norton, Stephanie J. Block, Will Chase, Gregg Edelman, Jessie Mueller, Betsy Wolfe

Preview: 10/19/12

Opens: 11/13/12

Location: Studio 54

5.) Rebecca

Based on the novel, Rebecca focuses on Maxim de Winter, his new wife referred to as “I”, their housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, and the memory of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, which is still present among them. 

Cast includes: Jill Paice, Ryan Silverman, Karen Mason, Howard McGillen, James Barbour, Donna English, Nick Wyman, Henry Stram

Opens: To Be Announced. Rehearsals have been delayed due to an investor’s death. 

Location: Broadhurst Theatre

6.) A Christmas Story, the Musical

A Christmas Story shares the Christmas adventures of Ralphie, who just wants a BB gun for Christmas. 

Cast includes: Dan Lauria

Preview: 11/5/12

Opens: 11/19/12

Location: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

7.) Elf the Musical

Returning to Broadway, this musical is based on the popular movie of the same name, which tells the story of Buddy the Elf.  

Cast: Beth Leavel, Mark Jacoby, Valerie Wright, Adam Heller, Michael Mandell

Preview: 11/9/12

Location: Al Hirschfeld Theatre

8.) Cinderella

Based on the beloved fairy tale and re-imagined by Douglas Carter Beane.

Cast includes: Laura Osnes, Santino Fontana, Harriet Harris, Victoria Clark, Peter Bartlett, Ann Harada, Marla Mindelle, Greg Hildreth

Preview: 1/21/13

Opens: 2/21/13

Location: Broadway Theatre

ONCE

Broadway

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

March 31, 2012

July 28, 2012 

Background:  Once the musical is based on the low-budget Irish film of the same name, which earned unexpected box office success in 2007. The film’s success led to two Grammy nominations and an Academy Award win for Best Original Song (Falling Slowly). The musical Once played at the New York Theatre Workshop in December, 2011 and transferred to Broadway in February. Once was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won eight, including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (John Tiffany), and Best Actor in a Musical (Steve Kazee). 

Synopsis: Guy is a struggling Irish musician who lives with his father and fixes Hoover vacuums for a living. Girl is a Czech immigrant who is immediately inspired by Guy’s music. When the two meet in Dublin, they form an unlikely friendship that results in love, healing, and beautiful music. “His music needed one thing. Her”. 

Comments: When I saw the show for the first time in March, I left the theatre thinking, okay, when can I come back and see this again? 

Once is wildly different from anything I have ever seen on stage.  Once is the kind of honest, inspiring production that you don’t see every day on Broadway, and this is what makes it so special and appealing to audiences. 

The music is simple and beautiful, ranging from raw and emotionally-charged to passionate and haunting. The music is most effective in the way that it is presented by the actors. This multitalented cast functions not only as actors, singers, and dancers, but also as the orchestra. The actors simultaneously sing, dance, play an instrument, and propel the story forward.  Because of this, the story is told in a very unique way, with the instrument becoming part of the character and choreography. It’s impressive and inspiring. 

Enda Walsh’s book is smart with humor injected in just the right places. I loved the dialogue between Guy and Girl, which is both emotional and restrained. Immediately, the audience becomes emotionally invested in these two characters and is undoubtedly rooting for this love story. 

Tony Award Winner Steve Kazee is perfectly cast as Guy. His Tony Award is well-deserved for this incredible performance. He has a wonderful voice and he sings with such emotion and passion. Andrea Goss (understudy), who played Girl at both performances, was absolutely endearing. She did a great job of being funny in a serious way... and her accent was awesome! These two actors had great chemistry together, despite one being an understudy.  As a side-note-- if you go see Once and a little piece of paper falls out of your playbill with Andrea Goss’ name on it, do not be disappointed. She was amazing.  

As I’ve already said, the supporting cast is incredibly talented.  Elizabeth A. Davis, who plays Reza, received a Tony nomination for this role and I definitely feel that this Tony nomination represents the entire supporting cast of Once.  They are all first-rate talent and it’s nice that this was recognized at the Tony’s (in a way). 

If you want to see a musical that will make you laugh, cry, and be inspired, check out Once at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.  

Evita

Broadway

Marquis Theatre

May 4, 2012 with Elena Roger as Eva Peron

August 18, 2012 with Christina DeCicco as Eva Peron

Background: “Oh, what a circus. Oh, what a show”! On April 5, 2012, the first Broadway revival of Evita opened at the Marquis Theatre, starring Olivier Award winner Elena Roger as Eva Peron, Ricky Martin as Che, and Michael Cerveris as Juan Peron. The production was nominated for three Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards with no wins. Boasting music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Evita depicts the life of Argentine First Lady Eva Peron, focusing on her ambitious rise to power via controversial means, her marriage to Argentine President Juan Peron, her charity work for the “common man” of Argentina, and her death at age 33. 

Brief History of Eva Peron: Maria Eva Duarte was born in Argentina in 1919. Raised by her mother in a state of poverty, she moved to Buenos Aires at age 15 to pursue an acting career and eventually became a successful radio performer during the early 1940’s. Eva met Juan Peron at a fundraiser held to raise money for earthquake victims and they married in 1945. Eva soon joined her husband in his presidential campaign, emphasizing her own impoverished upbringing in order to gain the support of the poor.  Shortly after Peron was elected president, Eva began her “Rainbow Tour” of Europe, meeting with important political figures in Spain, Italy, France, and Switzerland, presumably to improve Argentina’s relations with other countries. However, she was not always received well. Eva Peron is praised for her attention to the poor and her charity work, specifically the creation of the Eva Peron Foundation which provided clothing, education, and healthcare to Argentines living in poverty. She also participated in women’s suffrage. In 1951, Eva considered running for Vice President of Argentina, but renounced her candidacy due to declining health and opposition from the military. On July 26, 1952, Eva Peron died of cancer. Her body was embalmed and displayed for the public. When Peron was overthrown from power in 1955, Eva’s body was seized and hidden by the new government for 16 years before being reclaimed by Peron and later buried in Buenos Aires. Though one cannot deny Eva’s impact on Argentine history, many people have mixed views of her. To some, she was viewed as “Santa Evita” or “Spiritual Leader of the Nation”, while others believed she laundered money and retaliated against those who opposed her. Regardless, Eva Peron left an indelible mark on the people of Argentina. 

Comments: Never having seen a performance of Evita, I went into the theatre knowing nothing about Eva Peron and very little about the musical itself. After seeing the show for the first time in May with Elena Roger playing the title role, I became very interested in Eva Peron and her story.  Because Evita is completely sung-through and, in my opinion, fast-paced and “wordy”, I felt that I had missed many key parts of the story-line, and so I vowed to go home, research the life of Eva Peron and the musical, Evita, and hopefully return to the Marquis Theatre to see Evita again through more knowledgeable eyes.  And that’s what I did- this time, with Christina DeCicco (Eva alternate) playing the lead role. Knowing the character’s history the second time made all of the difference and I was able to sit back and just enjoy the performance with more understanding and clarity. If you are planning on seeing Evita for the first time, I would strongly recommend googling Eva Peron. You will appreciate the show so much more. 

Argentine actress Elena Roger, who also played the title role in the West End, was magnificent as Eva Peron.  Elena Roger brings a genuineness to the character, a special authenticity that is only possessed by someone who actually grew up in Argentina, surrounded by the lingering influence of the real Eva Peron. That special authenticity cannot be acted, and I felt that Elena’s Argentine heritage allowed the character of Eva Peron to be portrayed in a way that has never been portrayed before. Her accent, mannerisms, and the quality of her voice were exactly as I would have imagined Eva Peron sounded in real life. Her performance is something special. 

Christina DeCicco, the “alternate” Eva, was phenomenal. I was most impressed with her singing voice and endurance, especially “Buenos Aires”. She had boundless energy as she sang Andrew Lloyd Webber’s insanely difficult score and did not disappoint. She had a way of making something extremely difficult look easy. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her on Broadway. 

When I first learned that Ricky Martin would play Che, the voice of the people, I rolled my eyes and groaned. Another pop star coming to Broadway to bring in ticket sales. But surprise- Ricky Martin is a Broadway veteran, having played Marius in Les Miserables. And surprise again, I actually really liked his performance. I definitely appreciated the “light” humor that he brought to the show, especially in his performance of Tim Rice’s sarcastic, matter-of-fact lyrics.  

Tony-nominated for his role in Evita, Michael Cerveris gave a stellar performance as Juan Peron. I have always wanted to see Michael Cerveris perform and I was not at all disappointed. Known for his impeccable attendance record (he didn’t miss a single show for eight years), Michael Cerveris is undoubtedly an actor who takes his craft seriously, as evidenced by his authentic and well-researched portrayal of Juan Peron. He plays Peron with a quiet intensity while his singing is simultaneously soft and rich. If you love Broadway, you need to put Michael Cerveris on your bucket list of performers to see before you die.  

Rachel Potter as Mistress and Max von Essen as Magaldi were also wonderful. The choreography was amazing, the set was simple and beautiful, and the costumes were gorgeous. During the first performance, I had some difficulty hearing the actors sing- the orchestra was overpowering them- but this had resolved during the second performance. The most impressive part of Evita was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s insane score, which I think may be one of the best scores I’ve ever heard. 

The Verdict: I loved Evita and am sorry that it took me so long to find this show.  If you want to see a show with a spectacular score, great talent, and a lot of history, check out Evita at the Marquis Theatre... and if you're not familiar with the musical and the history of Eva Peron, do some research first. You will enjoy the show so much more! 



Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eva_Perón