Friday, April 05, 2013

A to Z Challenge - E is for Evita

If I ever get back to New York, one play that I want to see is "Evita", the Tony award-winning musical   by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It's based on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón, starting with her early life then her rise to power. It also highlights her charity work, and then her death.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
Until I looked up information on the show, I did not know that it began as a rock opera, with an album that was released in 1976. The album became so popular that it led to productions in London's West End in 1978, and on Broadway a year later. In England the show won the Laurence Olivier Award, and later in the United States it received the Tony Award for Best Musical.


It's possible that more people have seen the 1996 film of the musical starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas, and that might be an interesting bit of trivia to know should the topic come up in a conversation at a cocktail party. The musical was revived in London in 2006, and on Broadway in 2012, with the last Broadway production on January 26th.

Oops, I guess I missed my chance. Did you see the movie and/or the play? If not, is it a show you would like to see?

On another note, our production of "Our Town" opens tonight. I do have a bit of opening night jitters, but I am glad that the weeks of rehearsals has finally come to an end and I will have evenings free again.

6 comments:

Jeremy [Retro] said...

this is one i knew of, but the movie... ruined it for wanting to be part of any of... i really don't care for the talents of that woman.

Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host
Oh No, Let's Go... Crazy

Maryannwrites said...

I agree, Jeremy. I did not see the movie as I don't care for Madonna, but I have heard from others that she was quite good in the role.

LD Masterson said...

I saw Evita on Broadway in the 80's and loved it.

Break a leg tonight.

Jarm Del Boccio said...

I LOVE the play, "Our Town"...saw it first in HS. Although I have never saw Evita, our family did visit Buenos Aires, and Eva Perron's grave. It's an interesting story. Happy A to
Z...enjoy the Challenge!


MakingtheWriteConnections

kerry said...

I have seen it on stage and love the movie. I have never been keen on Madonna but went to see the movie anyway based on my love of the music and I wasn't disappointed. She was stunning in the role - made for it, I thought. Though I still wouldn't bother watching her in anything else.I would encourage all doubters to give it a go. I have the DVD and watch it several times a year.

Maryannwrites said...

I'm so jealous, LD. Both times I went to New York it was for work and I did not get to see a show. One of these days I will go just for fun.

Thanks for stopping by Jarm. You are right, the story of Eva's life is very interesting.