In just 4 weeks, one of the most celebrated musicals of all time, the original West End and Broadway production of EVITA will play at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne from 5 December 2018. Starring the remarkable Tina Arena as Eva Perón, the production has just completed a spectacular sold out season at the Sydney Opera House where it was celebrated by audiences and critics alike.
Produced by Opera Australia, John Frost and David Ian the production will include 18 very talented children all hailing from Melbourne. The young actors are Chelsey Abela (aged 8, Pascoe Vale South), Sebastian Astill (10, Prahran), Jasper Budd (9, Canterbury), Summer Bush (9, Ferntree Gully), Lucas Calzado-Yubero (11, Cheltenham), Jennah Coleman (8, Moonee Ponds), Aaron David (9, Sunbury), Marissa Enderby (9, Ivanhoe East), Katie Gorczynski (8, Lower Plenty), Christina Ivas (10, Lower Templestowe), Maisy Lester-Bryant (8, Northcote), Olivia Lupacchini (9, North Balwyn), Nathaniel Mitchell (10, Rosanna), Madeline Nesci (10, Templestowe), Aidan Synan (10, Moonee Ponds), Kershawn Theodore (10, Keysborough), Hannah Wing (10, Essendon) and Ruby Young (10, Donvale).
The children will be joining a stellar cast led by Arena, opera superstar Paulo Szot as Juan Perón, and Kurt Kansley as the young revolutionary Che. Michael Falzon will play tango singer Magaldi, while the role of Perón’s Mistress is played by Alexis van Maanen, making her professional debut. Jemma Rix will be the Eva Perón Alternate at certain performances.
Completing the cast are Justin Anderson, Anton Berezin, Michael Camilleri, Olivia Carniato, Rachel Cole, Alie Coste, Jade Coutts, Kristian Crowe, Todd Dewberry, Rodney Dobson, Samantha Dodemaide, Laura Field, Zoy Frangos, Ashleigh Gurnett, Kate Maree Hoolihan, Georgina Hopson, Thomas Johansson, Kathleen Moore, Thern Reynolds, Christopher Scalzo, David Sirianni, Tod Strike, Simon Tichelaar, Dean Vince, Rachael Ward and Paul Whiteley.
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s EVITA is iconic, with more than 20 major awards to its credit including the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Musical, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for the film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas.
Featuring some of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best loved songs including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, You Must Love Me and Another Suitcase in Another Hall – EVITA charts the story of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Perón, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’.
Legendary Broadway director Hal Prince has won 21 Tony Awards, more than any person in history. Prince will be joined by fellow original West End creative team members including choreographer Larry Fuller and designer Timothy O’Brien.
The musical captured the attention of the public when it was first staged in 1978 and in its 40th year and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 70th year, Opera Australia, John Frost and David Ian are thrilled to bring this “modern masterpiece” (New York Post) to Australia in all its original glory.
“A woman at the height of her musical powers…Arena’s rendition captures the complexity of Evita herself, with her mix of passion, grand ambition and manipulation.” – Sydney Morning Herald
EVITA will play the State Theatre – Arts Centre Melbourne from 5 December 2018. For more information, visit: www.evitathemusical.com.au or www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.