A cast of over 50 gearing up for Evita
View(s):There isn’t a Broadway fan alive who couldn’t hum the tune of ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ on demand. It’s one of the reasons ‘Evita’ has long been considered one of the best musicals to come from the legendary duo Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Their collaboration has produced classics like ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’, each of which has been notable for embracing complex characters and layered stories – all set to Webber’s rock ‘n’ roll inspired soundtracks and Rice’s incredible lyrics.
Workshop Players at rehearsals
With a cast of over 50, the Workshop Players are now gearing up for what promises to be a memorable revival of ‘Evita’ in Colombo. The event brings the troupe out of a self-imposed hiatus and will be the only production to be running concurrently with the Broadway revival of the same musical. (The latter is notable for its more cynical take on the life and career of Eva Perón and the presence of Latin American pop icon Ricky Martin in the role of Che.) For their latest production, Jerome L. de Silva, Artistic Director of the Workshop Players will be pulling out all the stops – expect dramatic sets and exquisitely choreographed ensemble performances.
The musical is based on the life of Argentina’s most beloved First Lady. In her lifetime, Eva Perón divided her country. She inspired adoration among the poor ‘descamisados’ or ‘shirtless ones’ and their votes won her husband Juan Perón the Presidency of Argentina. However, she was reviled among the Argentinian elite and the military establishment who considered her corrupt and manipulative. The musical pits these alternate visions of Evita against each other and out of the collision comes some wonderful music and a number of unforgettable performances.
‘Evita’ is presented by the Workshop Players in arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd. It will take to the boards from October 5 to 14 at the Lionel Wendt Auditorium. The production stars Dilrukshi Fonseka, Shanuki de Alwis, Melanie Bibile, Dmitri Gunatilake, Mario de Soyza, Eraj de Silva, Shenoj de Alwis and Rehan Almeida. It is directed by Jerome L. de Silva, with Surein De S. Wijeyratne as Assistant Director (Music) and Shanuki de Alwis Assistant Director (Choreography). The production is exclusively sponsored by Cargills Ceylon PLC and One Trust.
The media sponsors are the Sunday Times, Daily Mirror and Hi!! Magazine. Box office details will be announced next month.
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