Winner of 7 Tony Awards!
Evita
music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
lyrics by Tim Rice
directed by Jocelyn A. Brown*
musical direction by Carmen Cortez Dominguez
choreography by Kelly Todd*
OC Register's #1 Theater Event of the Week
- 07/30/08 VIDEO: Andrea's Anaheim
- 07/31/08 ARTICLE: Riverside Press-Enterprise
- 08/07/08 REVIEW: The Edge Los Angeles
- 08/07/08 REVIEW: StageSceneLA.com Recommended
- 08/09/08 REVIEW: Fullerton Observer
- 08/14/08 REVIEW: The Mooche
- 08/14/08 REVIEW: Orange County Register
- 08/21/08 REVIEW: Back Stage West
- 08/27/08 REVIEW: StageHappenings.com
VIDEO PROFILE
Andrea's Anaheim: "Evita" comes to life in Anaheim
Interview by Andrea Manes, Andrea's Anaheim
July 30, 2008
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THEATER ARTICLE
'Evita' to Evoke Intimacy
by Pat O'Brien, Riverside Press-Enterprise
July 31, 2008
The bigger-than-life musical "Evita" will be given unusual treatment by the Chance Theater.
"The real uniqueness of it will be that 'Evita' is a spectacle musical and we are doing it in an intimate setting," said Casey Long, managing director. The theater has 43 seats. The cast is a dozen people.
The audience, in essence, becomes judge and jury of Eva Peron, a woman who was either loved as a saint or despised as a fascist in Argentina where she rose from poverty to become wife of a dictator.
"You will connect closer to this woman, who is one of the most divisive people in history," Long said. "It's going to be intense. I believe once our audiences see this in an intimate setting they won't be able to imagine it anywhere else."
The show, which features a live tango band, runs Saturday through Sept. 7 at 5552 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills; 714-777-3033 or www.chancetheater.com . Tickets are $27-$30
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THEATER REVIEW
'Evita'
by Obed Medina, EDGE Los Angeles
August 7, 2008
"Inaugurating their 10th Anniversary season, director Jocelyn A. Brown takes a fresh approach to the rise and eventual death of Evita Peron, Argentina’s First Lady and Spiritual Leader of that country. It is grand in scope even as it unfolds in an intimate setting."
"This production features a live tango band as well as a palate of Latin-influenced design elements that include costumes (by Alisa Duffey) and choreography (Kelly Todd). The set by Christopher Scott Murillo is deceptively simple and practical enough to take us from Evita’s humble beginnings where she blackmails Agustin Magaldi (Bill Strongin) into taking her to Buenos Aires, where she immediately dumps him and begins her systematic rise to the top and eventually meets Juan Peron (Jonathon Lamer). Ms. Todd’s unique choreography for this production is also prominent in the show, especially in the musical number, 'The Art of the Possible,' which visually maps out Juan Peron’s rise to power. The musical chairs scenario of previous productions has been replaced with a more aggressive man-to-man battle of strength."
"The cast, led by Erika C. Miller in the role of Evita, keeps the show engaging. Ms. Miller’s portrayal from innocent to manipulative is subtly unfolded in her expressions and tone of voice. Clarissa Barton as the mistress also delivers a moving 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall,' and Michael Irish’s ubiquitous Che is equally matched to Miller’s larger-than-life Evita.
"I have to say that I am very impressed with The Chance Theater’s quality of productions. It goes to show that theatre does not necessarily need an inflated budget and a huge stage to mount mega-musicals. All it takes is a solid vision and dedication."
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THEATER REVIEW
'Evita'
by Steven Stanley, StageSceneLA.com
Recommended
August 7, 2008
"With talented and imaginative director Jocelyn A. Brown at the helm, and a cast led by Chance Resident Company Theater Members Erika C. Miller as Eva Peron, Michael Irish as Che, and Jonathon Lamer as Juan Peron, musical direction by Carmen Cortez Dominguez, and choreography by Kelly Todd, one thing is certain. There is an abundance of talent at work here."
"Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s bio-musical of arguably the most famous woman in the history of Argentina (or of Latin America for that matter) has never seemed as personal a story as it does here. Gone is the distance separating Eva from her people (in this case, the Chance audience). Evita Peron is virtually within touching distance, no longer the iconic legend but a real flesh and blood human being, and never more so that when, only inches away from us, she first feels the stabbing pain of the cancer that was to lead to her death at 33.
"Director Brown’s creative touch is evident from the very first moments, when we see a weak, wheelchair-bound Eva Peron, her head scarved, surrounded by the people of her Argentina singing their 'Requiem For Evita.' Soon, young Eva Duarte emerges, her long brunet hair not yet bleached, and we meet the upwardly mobile beauty as she begins her climb to fame and fortune 'On This Night Of A Thousand Stars,' serenaded by Agustin Magaldi. It’s not long before Eva heads for 'Buenos Aires,' Argentina’s 'big apple,' surrounded by choreographer Todd’s hand clapping, foot stomping eight-member ensemble.
"There is ample fun and irony in 'Goodnight And Thank You,' as Che (the one-man Greek chorus) bids goodbye to Magaldi and three other no longer useful suitors. Brown and Todd have imaginatively staged 'The Art Of The Possible' as a sequence of wrestling matches among military officers in which Juan Peron emerges the ultimate victor. Todd’s dancers tango as Eva and Juan declare to each other that 'I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You,' with Che perpetually on the sidelines observing. Peron’s previous mistress sings 'Another Suitcase In Another Hall' before being summarily ejected from the picture by Eva, 'Peron’s Latest Flame,' amusingly sung by stalwart military men on one side of the stage and snooty society ladies on the other. Act 1 concludes with a stirring rendition of 'A New Argentina.'
"More fine moments occur in the second act, beginning with Miller’s beautifully acted 'Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,' Evita downstage while her adoring people stand upstage looking up at her in near ecstasy. There’s the lovely melody of 'High Flying, Adored,' and a svelte and sexy Miller being gowned for her European 'Rainbow Tour.' Later, Eva and Che touch for the first time as they 'Waltz For Eva And Che'… and all too soon Eva is dying before our eyes. Selfish and ambitious she most certainly was, but she was also human, as this intimate production of Evita makes abundantly clear.
"Miller makes very real Eva’s transition from schoolgirl to wife of the President. The Chance has no more interesting actor than Irish, and his Che is yet another feather in his cap, a lean and hungry radical with a devilish gleam in his eye. Lamer is well cast as Peron. He looks the part, and acts it powerfully."
"David J. Dalton, Marlana Filannino, Dan Flapper, Jara Jones, Jessie McLean, Tanya Raisa Mironowski, and Sarah Pierce have a lot to do in this show and do it well."
"Christopher Scott Murillo’s warmly-hued set is quite different from the show’s usual black backdrop, and perhaps more fitting for a multicolored land like Argentina. (The backdrop appears to be somewhere between a story book and a theater proscenium, both of them appropriate for this very theatrical fairy tale.) Masako Tobaru’s lighting varies effectively to fit each song and emotion. Alisa Duffey and Miller’s costumes are probably the show’s strongest design elements, with Eva’s many gowns being particular standouts. High marks also for Casey Long’s sound and Jenelle M. Smith’s wigs."
"The Chance’s Evita is a production worth seeing, if only to experience Evita up close and personal as it has never been before."
The Chance Theater, 5552 E La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Through September 7. Fridays at 8:00, Saturdays at 3:00 and 8:00, Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00. Tickets: (714) 777-3033 or www.chancetheater.com.
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THEATER REVIEW
'Evita'
by Joyce Rosenthal, Fullerton Observer
August 9, 2008
Chance Theater is able to present the spectacle that is Evita on its small stage through judicious use of intricate choreography performed by a very talented cast. The story by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) is told completely through song and dance and follows the career of an impoverished but ambitious young girl who rapidly rose in rank to become the First Lady of Argentina.
Eva Duarte Peron was adored by the working class who regarded her as Santa Evita. She was a model, radio star and actress before she met and married Colonel Juan Peron who eventually left the Army and became President of Argentina. Throughout the play a narrator, Che, provides a cynical counterpoint to the adoration of sainted Eva. He has no qualms telling us she slept her way to the top or that the wealthy upper class reviled her and the Army considered her a “slut.”
Eva’s dress, looks and demeanor changes as she rises to fame and she makes a very glamorous First Lady, decked out in the latest Dior fashion. She goes on a trip to Europe supposedly to publicize Argentina but it's all Eva’s show. Depending upon who you spoke to, though, the trip was either a success, a failure or a combination of both.
Eva’s ultimate ambition was to become Vice President, however, there was very little support for it and her health was failing rapidly. At age 33, on July 26th, 1952 Eva Peron died.
Erika C. Miller (Eva) looks the part and is outstanding when singing Evita’s anthem, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” Jonathon Lamer (Peron) also looks the part and handles all its physicality very well. Michael Irish (Che) is suitably scruffy and cynical and also turns in a great performance.
The costumes (Alisa and Erica C. Miller) and wigs (Jenelle M. Smith) added immeasurably to the show as did the choreography by Kelly Todd which was performed admirably by the entire cast. The 5 piece orchestra (heard but not seen) also added to the performance. Director Jocelyn A. Brown put all these pieces together to provide an evening of good entertainment.
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THEATER REVIEW
'Evita'
by Keith David Dillon, The Mooche
August 14, 2008
"The production is first-rate. At the top of the bill is Erika C. Miller in the title role. Ms. Miller regularly designs clothes for Chance Theatre productions; in fact, she and Alisa Duffey co-design this one. That fact reminds me that George Herman Ruth was once a helluva pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. In addition to her gifts as a costume designer, Ms. Miller is a talented actor. More than that, she understands, most likely intuits, that singing a theatre song is much more than simply acting on pitch. Listening to Ms. Miller sing is sheer delight."
"As Che, Michael Irish has a definite sense of who he is and how he fits into this mesh of actions. He’s possessed of a lovely tenor voice and he reminds me a bit of Bolivian President Ugo Chavez, or, more likely, IRA founder Bobby Sands. Jonathan Lamer strides with unbroken arrogance as El Colonel/Presidente Juan Peron. Mr. Lamer is an excellent actor, and his movie star good looks make him perfect for this role."
"The ensemble is, indeed, remarkable. These actors fill out the smaller roles with the precision and craftsmanship of a fine Commedia troup. Given their skill, it would be wrong of me to call them 'chorus.' The ensemble includes, among others, Bill Strongin (who deftly croons Magaldi’s tangos), Clarissa Barton (who plays Juan Peron’s mistress with heart and sincerity), and old friends of the Chance like David J, Dalton, character actor par excellance Tanya Raisa Mironowski, Jara Jones, Jessie McLean, Dan Flapper, Mirlana Filannino and young Sarah Pierce who, already, at the tender age of eleven, has had more commercials than I could drum up in 30 years of acting."
"Kelly Todd’s choreography is excellent, in the main; simple, yet well-composed and even occasionally thrilling."
"Carmen Cortez Dominguez and her musicians deliver a clean, beautiful sound that both accompanies the action and cradles the voices."
"The sets are expertly lit, as always, by Chance lighting designer Masako Tobaru. Casey Long’s sound design mix the music, the voices and the voice-overs into a beautiful, eminently listenable whole. The costumes by Ms. Miller and Alisa Duffey are excellent as I’ve said, and the wig and make-up designs are lovely."
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THEATER REVIEW
'Evita'
by Eric Marchese, Orange County Register
August 14, 2008
"Scaled down to suit the Chance Theater's venue, Jocelyn A. Brown's staging has a charismatic Eva Perón in Erika C. Miller, beautiful vocals from principals and supporting cast, and fine music direction and choreography by, respectively, Carmen Cortez Dominguez and Kelly Todd."
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THEATER REVIEW
'Evita'
by Les Spindle, Back Stage West
August 21, 2008
"Under the direction of Jocelyn A. Brown, the Chance Theater has fashioned a respectable intimate-theatre re-envisioning of this opus"
"Thankfully, Brown and her design team provide an imaginative slant on the material. Presenting the show as an intimate chamber piece rather than a bloated Broadway behemoth helps allay some of the Webber pretentiousness. Christopher Scott Murillo's bare-bones set gives a stylized theatrical feel and allows for fluid segues among the various locales. Costumes by Alisa Duffey and Miller are stylish. Masako Tobaru's lighting and Casey Long's sound effects enhance the atmosphere. Carmen Cortez Dominguez's music direction is sprightly, and Kelly Todd's choreography is vibrant."
"[Erika C.] Miller evokes Peron's glamour and charisma, as well as the poignancy of her untimely illness and premature demise. As the cynical revolutionary Che, who narrates, Michael Irish gives a credible portrayal. Jonathon Lamer's President Juan Peron is appropriately forceful. The roles of Mistress and the tango singer Magladi are well-sung by Clarissa Barton and Bill Strongin, respectively."
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THEATER REVIEW
'Evita'
by Shirle Gottlieb, StageHappenings.com
August 27, 2008
"There is much to recommend in director Jocelyn Brown's concept of [Evita],
beginning with Erika Miller's performance in the title role.
Ever since Miller raised the roof as Fraulein Sally Bowles in
Cabaret, you could place bets that she would command the stage in
whatever part she played. Miller doesn't just sing the words, she
portrays the desires and longings of the conniving Eva Duarte--the
singer/actress who slept her way up the social ladder to become Evita
Peron, the most powerful woman in Argentina. Boy was she good! Talk
about 'rob from the poor and give to the rich,' she fooled all of her
dear 'descamisanos' until her dying day. In fact, some of them
still revere her memory and call her 'Santa Evita.'
"Also excellent is Michael Irish as Che. In this production Che darts in and out of the shadows like a fleeting, omniscient narrator who fills in the details of what's happening under the surface."
"Kelly Todd deserves a standing ovation for her dramatic choreography. Getting dynamic, tightly-knit movement out of her nine-member ensemble (who act as a Greek Chorus) on such a small stage is a major accomplishment. You can't miss little Sarah Pierce, the 11-year-old who belts out her lyrics with the best of them.
"All the action takes place on Christopher Scott Murillo's functional set under Masako Tobaru's piercing light design; and Webber's music is supplied by five musicians who are onstage behind a curtain throughout the two-hour production. As for Evita's lavish costumes, (which include elegant Paris designs), they were created especially for this production by Miller and Alisa Duffey."
"Evita" continues at The Chance Theatre, 5552 E. La Palma in Anaheim through September 7. For tickets call (714) 777-3033 or log on to www.chancetheater.com
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