Who says history has to be boring?
Not in this case.
Starting tonight, Everett audiences can witness a piece of fascinating history. And there’s nothing dull about this tale.
The story is based on the life of controversial Maria Eva Duarte de Peron, the first lady of Argentina, who at 27 was one of the most powerful women in South America.
In its season opener, Village Theatre is bringing Eva Peron to life in their musical production of “Evita.”
Peron packed a lot of history-making into her short life. Village Theatre’s production manages the challenge of telling her story with a surprisingly careful eye to detail.
Eva was born illegitimate and poor, one of five children who scrounged for their existence in a suburb of Buenos Aires. It was the 1930s. As a young teenager, Eva found that she possessed a strong stage presence. At 15, she moved to Buenos Aires to become an actress.
In 1944, a horrific earthquake struck San Juan killing 6,000 people. Eva participated in the relief effort where she met rising political star Juan Peron during an artistic festival to raise money. Eva was 24 and Peron was 48. Eva became his second wife when they married in 1945.
Eva became the first woman in Argentine history to be on the campaign trail with her husband. She used her weekly radio show to connect to the masses, talked plainly and even encouraged the nickname “Evita” which means “little Eva.”
Eva played such a prominent role during Peron’s presidency that she wound up on the cover of Time magazine in 1947.
In 1952, Eva rode with Peron in a parade celebrating his second presidential win. Some historians credit Eva’s influence with giving women the right to vote in this election. Eva became prominent in the Pro-Peronist trade unions and also founded the Eva Peron Foundation, a charitable organization that provided free health care to citizens, though critics accused the agency of waste.
Eva Peron considered a run for the vice presidency. Instead she declined, though was given the title of “Spiritual Leader of the Nation.” At this point, her health was failing. She was diagnosed with terminal uterine cancer and died in 1952. She was 33.
Millions mourned her death. But it wasn’t over. Her body disappeared for 17 years, stolen by members of the military coup who overthrew Juan Peron. Eva’s body was eventually found and returned to Argentina.
That’s a lot to pack into two hours. The message, however, of Eva Peron’s iconic life still rings clear in this production.
The music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice, is doused with Latin overtones. The dance scenes are delightful. The musical is directed by Steve Tomkins and Brian Yorkey, choreographed by Steve Tomkins with musical direction by R.J. Tancioco.
Be prepared for leading lady Jennifer Paz, a Renton-raised, Manila-born beauty who most recently performed the lead role in the national tour of “Miss Saigon.” She’s a petite powerhouse as Eva Peron.
The audience is guided through the weighty history by a narrator, a technique that works with so much historic ground to cover. That narrator is Che, played by Louis Hobson, who was in The 5th Avenue Theatre’s “Pippin.” Though Paz is stunning to watch, don’t be surprised if you are a bit swept away by the spell-binding Hobson.
Arts writer Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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