She was a mystery, but everyone thought they knew her.  

From a wily and ambitious teenager to rising political figure, Eva (Evita) Perón knew she belonged at the top before she ever knew how to get there. 

Thoughtfully directed with sweeping chorography by Rachel Bertone as well as robust musical direction by Dan Rodriguez, Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston proudly presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony award-winning musical, Evita through Sunday, July 20 at The Robinson Theater in Waltham, Massachusetts.  This production is approximately 2 hours with a fifteen minute intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Evita, with music, book and lyrics by award-winning collaborators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is a rock opera set in Argentina from 1934-1952.  Part of what makes Evita such a captivating work is its vibrant pacing and memorable soundtrack.  Based on the life of Maria Eva Perón, Evita’s life moves much like the soundtrack’s quick rhythms as it journeys through song from night club to city street to majestic balcony with barely a pause for applause.  Cameron McEachearn’s grand set divulges Eva’s life in its sheer magnitude in its sterling balcony with brick bursting out of its cracked walls.

This version of Evita includes songs not featured in the 1996 film of the same name.  The Art of the Possible, a cryptic number not in the film and featuring a group of officers, is particularly engaging.  Eva, in a powerful performance by Isabella Bria Lopez, is a young woman taking Argentina by storm and sees opportunity in Juan Perón, depicted with regal like mindedness by Ryan Mardesich.

Lopez exudes stealthy charm in a knowing smile when she first appears as a teenager.  However, behind her feigned naiveté, Eva is shrewdly on the move as soon as her feet hit the ground for the catchy and effervescent number, Buenos Aires.  Lopez takes Eva from a vivacious teenager onward and excels at her developing influence and maturity through the years. 

She hits her vivacious stride with Buenos Aires which delves into her instant love for the city and keeps up the brisk pace for this demanding role throughout, though some notes at times can sound a bit strident.  She delivers an impressive version of Evita’s signature number, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, glowing in a pristine glittering gown, one of Ellie De Lucia’s 400 vintage costumes in a multitude of dress patterns from casual to elegant to military garb.  The production’s visceral ensemble ranges from heartwarming to heartbreaking as they collectively portray the elite to peasants to Eva’s fascinating family. 

No one succeeds without opposition.  Che, depicted with charisma and sardonic wit by Eddie Noel Rodriguez, resonates as part keen observer and part narrator while representing not only the poor working class, but perhaps the truth in his personable delivery.  In a vest, gray slacks and a scally cap, he occasionally engages the crowd, but his primary focus is on Evita.  Tempering each scenario with satirical flair, Rodriguez captures the essence of Che and makes the role uniquely his own as he travels on a risky path for speaking up.  From his mocking observations in Oh What a Circus as well as And the Money Kept Rolling In, his humorous duet in Good Night and Thank You with Lopez, and the reflective ballad, High Flying Adored, you’ll be glad to be taking this musical journey with Rodriguez.

Boasting rich and charming vocals for Magaldi’s signature song, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, Ricardo “Ricky” Holguin blends sensitivity, melodrama, and humor to bombastic night club singer, Magaldi and was a hit with the audience.  Other notable numbers include a tender rendition of Another Suitcase in another Hall by Rebekah Rae Robles and the stirring harmony of Santa Evita.

Engulfing the audience from the moment of Eva Perón’s death from the very beginning, Reagle Music Theatre’s Evita delivers a darker and more distinctive version of Evita.  Baron Pugh’s alarming red and yellow lighting intensifies the fanaticism, dark humor and the power struggle not only between Eva and Juan tempering Eva’s supercilious ambition to run things behind the scenes, but among the masses and in the hypnotic cries of ‘Perón!’  Previous versions portray Eva and Juan as likeminded, but share a genuine love.  Here they seem more like fellow conspirators and Lopez’s You Must Love Me becomes less of a realization or statement, but a desperate plea.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston’s Evita offers a unique and memorable perspective that sets it apart from other versions in its resonating and cautionary storytelling while leaving room to get lost in the music and motivations of this intriguing, enigmatic and controversial figure yearning for the spotlight.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston proudly presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony award-winning musical, Evita through Sunday, July 20 at The Robinson Theatre in Waltham, Massachusetts.   Click here for more information and for tickets.