Revamped "Evita" in Sydney

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay/BWW-TV-See-Whats-New-With-Hal-Princes-Revamped-EVITA-in-Sydney-Starring-Tina-Arena-20181015   I'm (very) vaguely familiar with Tina Arena.   I have ambivalent feelings about this performance in this video.

[rosscoe(au)]

Tina is an a legend in Australia , there really is no else ( apart from Caroline O’Connor ) who could sing this as well as her. ( Search for the bootleg she sounds amazing )

[Valentina3]

Why is the tempo so slow? I also didn't care for the video performance. It was very underwhelming, both her voice and her acting.

[uncageg]

Wasn't crazy about the slower tempo.

[BrodyFosse123]

If they directed the actors to “bring down” the theatrics for the video, this was a colossal idea. This video has no life. It’s so flat and unexciting. EVITA can be delivered hard and explosive without worrying about being “too much” for any promo footage.  EVITA lends itself to that which is how all clips and performances have always been done this way on television.  All footage shown on TV of LuPone in the original Broadway production featured her performing full-our; never watered-down.  People expect EVITA this way.  

[Lot666]

Her vocal "reach" in the first clip sounds strained and the entire thing feels like it's in slow motion.

[BroadwayBen]

This looks like a high school production. 

[jimmycurry01]

I was very underwhelmed by Tina's performance here. Based on this clip alone, I would hope that she isn't really the best Australia has to offer for the role. That said, it could be that this particular performance in this particular clip is lackluster, and she really delivers a thrilling performance when seen live.

[thommg]

I am a huge Tina Arena fan. I don't think this video shows her off very well. It looks more like a first run though on the set to me. She keeps looking down to check her marks, and the tempo is slower than usual. I wonder when this was recorded and why it is being used to highlight the show (it doesn't). 

[Mister Matt]

10-15 years ago, Tina would likely have been an exciting Eva (I love her recording of Live for the One I Love from Notre Dame de Paris), but I really think they need someone younger for the part.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I agree with Mister Matt, to be quite honest.

[teh_pretty]

Honest question -- what is "revamped" about this production?

[Mister Matt]

It's revamped because it's the original staging and not the boring revival staging based on the somewhat boring film adaptation, but it includes the boring "You Must Love Me" from the somewhat boring film adaptation because you can't produce Evita anymore without adding something boring to it.  Apparently, they needed to make it just a bit more boring by slowing down the tempo for Buenos Aires.

Bring back Kathy Voytko and the 2004 tour.

[QueenAlice]

The tempos for the original London production of EVITA were really slow.

[Sondheimite]

this just looks kinda... sad and tired. 

[GeorgeandDot]

The original production of Evita was never particularly aesthetically pleasing. This brings back those memories.

[Mister Matt]

I loved the original staging and choreography!  It was like watching a cinematic montage that eschewed any forced romanticism or sentimentality that may come with too much realism in its staging and design.  I thought it was a perfect fit for the score.  Scenes like Good Night and Thank You, I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You, Peron's Latest Flame, The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines You'd Like to Hear and of course, the iconic Don't Cry for Me Argentina were unforgettable.  It was unconventional, but I found it a visual feast.