Atlanta is city No. 25 on the 28-city tour of “Evita,” and the cast has the leg muscles to prove it. They will be spinning, leaping and dipping now until Sunday June 8 at the Fox Theatre.
In a Broadway in Atlanta season that included contemporary musicals like charming indie-play “Once,” rock opera Green Day’s “American Idiot” and mass hit and cultural critique-comedy “The Book of Mormon,” this classic show stayed true to its roots, bringing old school musical charm to a very modern season. With a sweeping set, soaring melodies and chic costuming, it was a show that fits the old-timey grandeur of the Fox. I wanted to throw my pinky out while sipping my Diet Coke.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote the music and lyrics of “Evita” in the 1970s; the hit song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” was made famous anew in the 1996 Madonna film adaptation. The play follows the true story of the ambitious ascent of Eva Duarte (later Eva Perón) as she climbs from the lower classes to become an actress, then the First Lady of Argentina. Eva Perón was gorgeous, young and fashionable while building her career on becoming the voice of the people.
So grand a story requires all the luxe trappings: a 26-person cast, a 16-member orchestra, a floor-to-ceiling set including enormous windows and that famous balcony, a sparkling white gown and so many wigs I couldn’t count. Though nearing the end of their 10-month national tour, the cast didn’t show it as they elegantly danced from musical number to musical number, skirts swinging and boots stomping. When Caroline Bowman (Eva Perón) threw herself into the vivacious dance steps of the knock-out song “Buenos Aires” and then somehow mustered breath to sing, I got chills.
While Bowman shined as the you-must-love-me Eva, the real star of the show was Josh Young, who plays Che, the “everyman” narrator and Greek chorus of “Evita.” He speaks for all of Argentina, hinting at the good and bad of their adored Evita, how an actress-turned-First-Lady isn’t the best set-up for political success. He is also on stage for the majority of the play, seamlessly guiding us through Eva’s story with a singing voice that consistently amazed. At one point I thought Bowman was hitting a high note, just to realize it’s Young, arms outspread. When an Argentinean flag wouldn’t unstick from its hanging on cue, he comically shrugged and tossed it back – the show must go on.
Though the second act can seem slow and long (Eva Perón can only reach such heights before succumbing to cancer at a young age – and it’s hard to write peppy songs about cancer, even if you’re Andrew Lloyd Webber), overall the show was an absolute delight, a musical classic done classically. Odds are all the “American Idiot” walkouts were thrilled.
Learn more about “Evita” and order tickets at foxtheatre.org.
