Broadway Buzz

EVITA “EVOLUTION”

This “full-scale modern opera” brings to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator, Juan Peron. It started life as a concept album, in 1975, then grew to the theatrical phenomenon that it remains today.

1971	Long before the idea of EVITA surfaces, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice have already reached international success with the popularity of their first collaboration, Jesus Christ Superstar.

1973	Lyricist Tim Rice first considers writing a musical based on the life of Eva Peron when he hears the end of a radio show about the famous female ruler. He is so excited that he pays to hire a private listening room at the BBC, and takes Andrew Lloyd Webber to hear the radio program.

1974	After a visit to Argentina, Tim Rice reunites with Andrew Lloyd Webber to begin their second collaboration. To actually start writing, the duo travels to the Palace Hotel in Biarritz on the coast of France, where they first create the outline of the song, “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.” The song went through several re-writes, including the title line to the song. Rejectedversions included “It’s Only Your Lover Returning” and “All Through My Crazy and Wild Days.”

1975	Tim Rice is so taken with the music of EVITA that he names his first-born daughter Eva, after the glamorous dictator.

1976	When Rice and Webber return to England, they record the entire work before beginning on the stage production, just as they had done with Jesus Christ Superstar. The album becomes an instant best-seller on the pop and rock charts throughout Europe, and “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” moves to the top of the British Hit Parade.

1977	As EVITA gains momentum, Andrew Lloyd Webber asks director Hal Prince to stage the musical. Prince, along with choreographer Larry Fuller, create a look and sense of movement unlike anything London or Broadway had seen.

1978	The team has difficulty casting the role of Evita. After quality auditions and talent searches, they offer the role to Elaine Page, a British actress who was to become an overnight sensation as Eva Peron. EVITA sets records as the highest box office advance in West End history.

1979	The Broadway version of EVITA, starring Patti Lupone as the leading lady, opens. The show sweeps the Tony Awards, winning seven, and is a Broadway sellout for more than four years.

1980	Broadway cast album of EVITA with Mandy Patinkin as Che, Patti Lupone as Eva, and Bob Gunton as Juan Peron, wins a Grammy.

1996	A new generation is introduced to EVITA when Alan Parker’s film version opens starring Madonna, Antonio Banderas, and Jonathan Pryce. The film receives five Oscar nominations, winning for Best Song; it also wins three Golden Globes, including Best Picture.

2004	The fall sees the start of a new EVITA tour around the U.S. under the leadership of legendary director Hal Prince and choreographer Larry Fuller.

2005 January	EVITA plays the Palace at Playhouse Square Center!