Evita - Full Cast Announced

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini, Australian theatre producer John Frostand leading UK theatre producer David Ian have announced the full cast for their upcoming production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s EVITA. The original West End and Broadway production of EVITA, directed by Hal Prince, will return to Australia from 13 September this year, playing at the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House.

It was previously announced that Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre star Tina Arenawill play the role of Eva Perón. Starring opposite her as Juan Perón will be opera singer Paulo Szot, whose last Australian performance was the title role in Opera Australia’s Eugene Onegin. Szot played Emile De Beque in the award-winning revival of South Pacific on Broadway, winning the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle and Theater World Awards.

Playing the young revolutionary Che will be Kurt Kansley, who trained at Monash University and The Melba Conservatorium. In Australia, Kurt has performed in The Lion King, Rent, Godspell and Show Boat, directed by Hal Prince, while his numerous credits in the West End include Bernstein’s Mass Concert, Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Ragtime, Sweet Bird of Youth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Michael Falzon(We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess) will play tango singer Magaldi, while the role of Perón's Mistress will be played by newcomer Alexis van Maanen, making her professional debut. Currently playing The Wicked Witch of the West in GFO’s The Wizard of Oz following her seven years as Elphaba in Wicked, Jemma Rixwill be the Eva Perón Alternate.

Completing the cast will be Justin Anderson, Anton Berezin, Michael Camilleri, Olivia Carniato, Rachel Cole, Alie Coste, Jade Coutts, Kristian Crowe, Todd Dewberry, Rodney Dobson, Samantha Dodemaide, Laura Field, Zoy Frangos, Ashleigh Gurnett, Kate Maree Hoolihan, Georgina Hopson, Thomas Johansson, Thern Reynolds, Christopher Scalzo, David Sirianni, Tod Strike, Simon Tichelaar, Dean Vince, Rachael Ward and Paul Whiteley.

“We are thrilled to have assembled such a sensational talented cast to play opposite Tina Arena in this renowned production of EVITA,” said the producers. “The original West End and Broadway version of this truly iconic musical was a landmark theatrical event, and we can’t wait to present it with this incredible group of performers. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and Hal Prince are legends of musical theatre; it gets no better than this.” Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s EVITA is iconic, with more than 20 major awards to its credit including the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Musical, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for the film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Featuring some of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best loved songs including ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’, ‘On This Night of a Thousand Stars’, ‘You Must Love Me’ and ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, EVITA charts the story of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Perón, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’. Legendary Broadway director Hal Prince has won 21 Tony Awards, more than any person in history. Hal Prince will be joined by fellow original West End creative team members including choreographer Larry Fuller and designer Timothy O’Brien. This musical captured the attention of the public when it was first staged in 1978 and in its 40th year and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 70th year, Opera Australia, John Frost and David Ian are thrilled to bring this “modern masterpiece” (New York Post) to Australia in all its original glory. Produced by special arrangement with The Really Useful Group

evitathemusical.com.au

SEASON DETAILS

Venue: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House

Season: From 13 September

Performance Times: Tues–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed & Sat 1pm, Sun 3pm

Price: From $109.90*

Bookings: evitathemusical.com.au or 9318 8200 or 02 9250 7777

Groups of 20 or more call 02 9250 7700

* An additional transaction fee and/or a credit/debit payment processing fee may apply

Images: International Cast of EVITA. Photographs by Pat Bromilow-Downing and Christiaan Kotze.