The spirit of Argentina's beloved First Lady Eva Peron was brought back to life as the Broadway cast of Evita performed at the UB Center for the Arts this past weekend.
Directed by Larry Fuller with music by renowned musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, Evita follows the life of Eva Peron, from her youthful days as a budding actress waiting to break free and make it big in the city of Buenos Aires to her rise as second wife to Argentina's president Juan Peron, cementing her legacy one of the most significant and influential women in Argentina's history.
The musical opens at a local cinema in Buenos Aires, where fellow patrons have just been informed that, "Eva Peron entered immortality at 8:25 hours this evening." The theater goes into complete shock over the announcement. No one can believe that Peron has taken a turn for the worse.
Our narrator, the cynical Ch?(c), played by Omar Lopez-Cepero, takes the audience through the rest of the play. He introduces a young Eva, performed by Malia Tippets, who is bright, full of life and in the midst of her first love affair with tango singer Agust'n Magaldi. From here we see Eva's power of persuasion with the opposite sex and watch her as she works her way to top as a successful actress and radio personality.
As the story continues, Eva is found at a charity ball where President Peron addresses the city of San Juan, which has just been devastated by an earthquake. Soon after, he encounters Eva. Feeling an immediate chemistry, Eva forwardly tells Peron that she would be good for him and, together, they would be a political force. Eva is then brought into the high social world of Peron as the first act concludes.
When the curtain is raised for Act II, Peron has just won the 1946 presidential election. Eva addresses the public as she sings her infamous song, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." Eva decides to go on tour throughout Europe to support plans for a new Argentina. While on tour, she encounters difficulties with elite upper class and makes it her priority to fulfill all the promises she has made to her people.
As the play comes to a close, a weathered Eva fights for the chance to be elected vice president. With her health waning, her husband encourages her to retire from her political duties before it is too late. Understanding that she can no longer fight the inevitable, Eva addresses the public by stepping down from all of the titles and responsibilities her people blessed her with. She also asks her people to remember that it was all for them and for Argentina.
"When Ms. Tippets came out to sing 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' in that white dress, she was glistening. She stole the show," said Heather Futterman, a junior communications major.
The show was remarkable, proving that one can never be truly disappointed when viewing a Broadway show. The costumes were phenomenal and the transition from adolescent brunette Eva to the platinum First Lady of Argentina was seamless.
Tippets did an astounding job of portraying the charismatic Eva Peron. Tippets' performance was more than worthy of the standing ovation she received. This is the actress' first national tour.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
