An Evita that throbs and sizzles with Latin life

Although retired since 2014, I still relish opportunities to teach, write, and share opinions.
Director Will Pomerantz, Choreographer Marcos Santana, and Scenic Designer Anna Louizos transport you to a steamy, sweaty tango bar in 1962, ten years after Eva Peron’s death, in a spicy, flashy production of Evita. Evita, the legendary musical which took Broadway and the world by storm, is now enjoying a new production at Bucks County Playhouse only until October 30. 
 
This Latin-drenched production is rich in mole, salsa, and tequila, with what is essentially an entirely Latin cast. Fear not! No passport required. What is required is an acute love of musical theatre magic as created by lyricist Tim Rice and composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.
 
Gabriella Enriquez is Eva Peron, a frail woman with a voice and ambition of steel. She gives poignant life to the unforgettable anthem, “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina,” and many others. Peron is played by the dark, stormy, and wildly handsome Cuban big daddy Eric Ulloa. Pablo Torres is an annoying gadfly of a Che. This Che scampers about, leaps up onto bars, tables, whatever, with indefatigable energy. The rest of the cast performs with ease. 
 
The Ensemble  .. Caramba! The male ensemble is unforgivingly sexy, and positively criminal in their display of male prowess, while the women are by turn steely, deadly, and pious as need be. 
 
Anna Louizos’ tango bar stage set is a miracle. Beautifully squalid one moment, brilliantly disgusting another moment, it is a triumph of design and atmosphere. It is complemented and enhanced by Mike Billings suave lighting.
 
Don’t waste any time lighting candles for the Holy Madonna. Rush to get your tickets to see this Evita. This matinee performance was just about sold out, so don’t delay.
 

Evita will be at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA, until October 30. Million Dollar Quartet Christmas will be this company’s holiday offering. 

For information: www.bcptheater.org 
 

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