In London in 1976, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice released an album of a show that would be called “Evita.” By early 1977, the album took the world by storm and when “Evita” premiered in London in June 1978, everyone was humming “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.” In September 1979, “Evita” opened on Broadway to a sold-out run that went on for four years.
The story is about the life of Eva Peron and how she became the wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron. It takes us – via “pop opera” – from her illegitimate birth and rejection by her father’s family to the bitter poverty and the manipulative climb to power and the desire for a position of acceptance in upper class society, which always seemed just out of her grasp.
This production is adeptly directed by Jason Hoover, who moves his people with a definite purpose and keeps the chemistry bubbling throughout the performance.
Ali Gangi Malone is an impressive Evita with a solid, clear voice. She has the gutsy timber that gives Evita the needed drive for her character.
Anthony Bernal as Peron underplays the immoral tyrant/dictator with a strong tenor with enough passion and subtle weakness to keep the audience aware of his insecurities.
Alex Rodriguez is Che Guevara and carries his role with a solid baritone that brings a little light into the many dark moods of this piece. He treats the character with a slight whimsy and humor that previous Che’s did not. As the everyman, Che has charisma and fine delivery.
Playing Peron’s child mistress, Samantha Cardenas’ treatment of “Another Suitcase Another Hall” was a soft, lovely, welcome and heartfelt moment. “I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You” with Eva, Peron and a group of Tango dancers come across with the seductiveness of their first meeting that made the combination an interesting and inventive mix. The signature balcony scene and song, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” had a poignant moment of Eva making the first real grab for her own power. An extraordinary group of outstanding dancers carry choreographer Alex Hsu’s creativity to the finest limit.
Costume designer Margret Toomey, set designer Jarald Enos and lighting designer Seamus Strahan-Mauk coordinate an extremely well-done production. A full orchestra carries the show under the baton of David Moschler.
Broadway By The Bay is well worth the trip – less than an hour from Morgan Hill, great ticket prices, easy parking and great productions. Season tickets are recommended.
