|
 |
"A New Argentina": Evita Revival Begins West End Previews
By Andrew Gans
and John Nathan
02 Jun 2006
 |
|
Elena Roger stars in the new West End revival of Evita.
|
Don't cry for her, Argentina: Evita is back. The eagerly awaited revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical — starring Argentine actress Elena Roger in the title role — begins previews at London's Adelphi Theatre June 2.
Directed by Michael Grandage with choreography by Rob Ashford, the brand-new staging of the award-winning musical marks the first major West End revival since the show debuted at the Prince Edward Theatre in 1978. That production, which was directed by Hal Prince, made a star out of its leading lady, Elaine Paige. Similarly, the eventual Broadway debut — in 1979 at the Broadway Theatre — brought fame and a Tony Award to its Evita, Patti LuPone, back on Broadway this season in the acclaimed revival of Sweeney Todd.
Joining actress Roger onstage at the Adelphi will be Philip Quast as Peron, Matt Rawle as Che, Lorna Want as the Mistress and Gary Milner as Magaldi. Abbie Osman will be the alternate Eva.
The ensemble for the production comprises Ashley Day, Stuart Neal, Paul Basleigh, Greg Castiglioni, Adam Pearce, Tim Morgan, Mark Heenehan, Kevin Curtin, Halcro Johnston, Jodie Jacobs, Pip Jordan, Emma Harris, Mark Powell, Kirsty Mather, Leila Benn Harris, Aoife Nally, Jackie Marks, Robyn North and Sarah Ryan. John Clarke, Grant Neal, Dean Chisnall, Stephanie Bron, Elizabeth Baron and Fiona Reyes are Swings.
Evita will officially open June 21. The creative team also includes Christopher Oram (scenic design), Paule Constable (lighting design), Mick Potter (sound design) and Simon Lee (musical supervisor).
Evita began life as a concept recording featuring Julie Covington in the title role. The focus of the musical is on Eva Peron's rise from her slum origins to the wife of Argentina's post-war nationalist leader Juan Peron, a position from which she held her people in thrall. Such was her power she became her country's unofficial vice-president and as she grew richer, her people's poverty deepened. She died of cancer at the age of 33.
In her native Buenos Aires, Elena Roger appeared in productions of Nine, Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables and Saturday Night Fever. With director Valeria Ambrosio Roger devised and starred in the musical Mina, che cosa sei, which won her the ACE Award for Best Actress. Roger's television credits in Argentina include "Hombres de Honor," "Pensionados" and "El Sodero de mi Vida."
Polydor is scheduled to release the new cast recording of Evita later this month. The 19-track disc includes these titles: "Requiem for Evita," "Oh What a Circus," "On This Night of a Thousand Stars," "Eva And Magaldi/Eve Beware of the City," "Buenos Aires," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," "Goodnight and Thank You," "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You," "Peron's Latest Flame," "A New Argentina,"
"Don't Cry For Me Argentina," "High Flying Adored," "Rainbow High,"
"And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)," "She Is a Diamond,"
"Waltz For Eva and Che," "You Must Love Me," "Eva's Final Broadcast" and "Lament."
For ticket information visit www.evitathemusical.com.
Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2009 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|