Why Evita?
Those of us who are lucky enough to make a career in the theater have that one show that inspired us when we were younger; the one show that lit a spark within us and made us say “I want to do that when I grow up!”.
For me, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA was that show. I saw a community theater production of EVITA in Massachusetts when I was about 10 years old. I remember sitting in that dark theater and being swept up in the music and in the story. While I didn’t entirely comprehend what was unfolding in front of me, I remember understanding that this story deeply affected people watching it. How could an audience be so invested in the story of a woman that they didn’t even know? Why was the man who was sitting in front of me wiping away a tear as the lights faded at the end of the performance?
That was the power of theater and good storytelling. More importantly, that was the power of this enthralling story.
Throughout my career as a working Broadway actor, I had hoped that someday I would be able to be a part of an EVITA production. I got that opportunity several years ago when I was cast as Che in a regional production of the show. It was during this rehearsal period that I remembered and rediscovered my passion for this story.
When Katie and I opened ACT of CT last June, we decided that EVITA should be a part of our first full season. Our intimate theater is the perfect venue for this show. While traditional EVITA productions can include a cast of up to 35 people, I was interested in telling this story with a much smaller acting company. If we could cast the right “storytellers”, this show could be as effective with 16 actors as it is with 35. And did we luck out!
As always, we auditioned hundreds of NYC and CT professional actors. And I am so impressed by this ridiculously talented and diverse group of artists that we have put together for this production. I felt strongly that our cast of EVITA should be heavily composed of Latinx talent. Our EVITA acting company truly represents the community that is meant to tell this riveting and historically significant story.
As you may have learned from our wonderful lobby display (put together by our dramaturg, ACT of CT’s Director of Education, Heather Hillman), it was Eva Perón (Evita) who largely dominated the political scene as First Lady of Argentina, as opposed to her husband Juan Perón. Born into poverty, Eva was remarkably driven and had some minor success as a stage and film actress before meeting and marrying Juan Perón (who was elected president in 1946). Eva’s involvement in the government came at a time when women weren’t even allowed to vote in Argentina. As she rose to power, Eva became involved in many political and charitable causes, including advocacy for labor rights and the implementation of social programs for the poor. It was the working class (“descamisados” or “shirtless ones”) who worshiped her. She assumed power over the Ministries of Health and Labor and founded the Female Perónist Party. Eva was instrumental in securing the women’s right to vote in Argentina in 1947. But like all complicated figures, Eva's achievements were not without a downside. Although beloved by the working class, both she and her husband were seen as power hungry authoritarians who would stop at nothing for absolute control of the country. And in 1951, Eva even contemplated a run for vice-president. She was extremely ill with cervical cancer at the time and died in 1952 at the age of 33. Just three years later, Juan Perón was overthrown.
I thought long and hard about how I wanted to tell this story. Every director has his/her own “take" on a show and wants to put their own personal stamp on their production. For me, this script and score is just so fantastic and complete, that I feel my job as director is to just tell the story that Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote; no need to completely reinvent EVITA by cleverly finding new and interesting slants on the story. It’s pretty perfect as is. While I certainly have my own view as to how the story of Eva and Juan Perón parallels today’s political climate, I leave it to you, the audience, to draw any comparisons (or not). That’s the beauty of theater; everyone has their own interpretations and experiences. The important thing is that we keep telling stories and continue to open up our hearts and our minds.
I hope you enjoy the show. #theatrematters.
- Daniel C. Levine, ACT of CT Artistic Director and director of “Evita”
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