Broadway NEEDS original EVITA...with no changes.

[Passaggio]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:32am

Hal Prince...

"There is a saying here, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ I believe Evita is close to perfect and I’m a tad embarrassed saying that, but it has been reflected in the comments of so many people who have seen it."

Prince called Evita...

"One of the most satisfying experiences of my career."

On the 2012 revival...

"It didn't serve the material well."

EVITA! EVITA! EVITA!!!! Broadway NEEDS You!

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 12:46pm

Unfortunately, as the recent touring revival of the Prince production proved, ALW won't let it go out without the changes. It can look like Prince's production, it can even reflect it very closely in tone, quality, and ideas, but you're going to get that style wedded to the new material.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 12:53pm

It's truly a shame Prince wasn't allowed to remount his original production with the original orchestrations. I like "You Must Love Me" but the stage version doesn't need it.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 1:19pm

Hal’s staging is perfection but I have no interest in seeing Evita until we have a star who can truly rise to the challenge. It’s similar to Funny Girl in that aspect for me.

Gaga could do it but with the unfortunate stink of Madonna, that will never happen.

[Passaggio]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:03pm

ALW is a gifted orchestrator/arranger but his revival orchestration left much to be desired. His original work is brilliant and I think it helps people connect to the show and the story more when it is not shoving the ARGENTINE TANGO in your face all evening.

A clueless director who wants to add his/her own stamp to Prince's original staging can easily screw it up enough for it to be bad. So if it does ever return to Broadway, I hope they appoint Larry Fuller as director/choreographer. I've seen several productions of the Prince original directed by him and he is always respectful to Prince's vision.

Above all, I definitely agree that Evita isn't ready for Broadway in any form until a suitable Eva is found. I feel like most productions that featured great Evas used the same reliable veteran actresses for years (Loni Ackerman; Valerie Perri; Marti Webb; among others). Unfortunately, many of them are now too mature for the role and casting since has seemed to go for anyone who can screech the top notes. I think the role calls for more than just belting ability and a truly strong actress with incredible stage presence is always overlooked. The result is a bunch of Evas with thin voices that can hit high notes and look pretty. It has been a very long time since an Eva made me take notice and commanded attention.

 

[Passaggio]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:19pm

OK, now I can't get the idea of Gaga out of my head. I want to say NO, but can't deny she has the vocal chops and stage presence.

Btw, what do you mean by the Madonna reference? 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:21pm

How about a concert with the original Broadway cast instead? Patti can still sing it.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:24pm

Btw, what do you mean by the Major nna reference?

I guess it’s safe to assume you’re unaware of Alan Parker’s 1996 Academy Award winning film adaptation starring Madonna who’s performance by many, including Patti LuPone, isn’t embraced.  


 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:25pm

Madonna was brilliant as The film Evita and has a Best Actress Golden Globe that says so. Not sure why every discussion of the show has to involve some snark about one of the best film adaptations of a musical in decades. But whatever...

Last years London revival was really quite excellent and it’s planned to transfer to the Barbican (I hope it still will). Samantha Pauly (who came to Broadway with SIX) was a totally different Eva than we’ve ever seen and the production was completely stripped down and worked beautifully. So while if adore a revival that replicates the original, there are still great things that can be done to the show to keep it fresh.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:25pm

Madonna has already played the role. Gaga’s career took a major hit when Madonna turned on her, accusing her of copying her career and of being “reductive.” Madonna even did a mashup on her tour of “Born This Way” and “Express Yourself,” followed by “She’s Not Me.” She’s been quite cruel to Gaga. Gaga would never do something so closely linked to Madonna, despite the fact that her performance would far outshine Madonna’s.

Gaga would blow it out if the park. She has the voice, the look, the acting ability, and the raw passion and presence to play this role.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:28pm

Jordan, I love 80s and 90s Madonna, passionately. But she was terrible in Evita, her vocals are laughable and she’s a dreadful actress.

And a Golden Globe is meaningless.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:42pm

Oh ok. And I guess that’s the final word on the matter.

[Passaggio]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:45pm

Madonna as Eva Peron:

Smile

Look at Peron for approval

Smile

Cry

Look at Peron for approval

Cry

Cry

Die.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:47pm

Man, I love how every thread about this show features little Queens who want to take it over with this Madonna sh*t EVERY SINGLE TIME when that has nothing to do with the subject being discussed.

[Owen22]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 2:58pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Madonna was brilliant as The film Evita and has a Best Actress Golden Globe that says so. Not sure why every discussion of the show has to involve some snark about one of the best film adaptations of a musical in decades. But whatever...

Last years London revival was really quite excellent and it’s planned to transfer to the Barbican (I hope it still will). Samantha Pauly (who came to Broadway with SIX) was a totally different Eva than we’ve ever seen and the production was completely stripped down and worked beautifully. So while if adore a revival that replicates the original, there are still great things that can be done to the show to keep it fresh. "

I loved the Jamie Lloyd Regent Park revival! I'm not sure the indoor staging of the material will be as effective but I was looking forward to seeing it at the Barbican again.

[Passaggio]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 3:00pm

To be fair, Madonna was somewhat limited at what she could do with the role due to her and Alan Parker's kissing the Argentine president's arse at the time so he could allow them to film at the Casa Rosada. They both promised him that the portrayal on film would be more neutral in tone compared to the stage version. That alone sucked the life out of the role.

I still think Madonna wouldn't have done much with the role based on her acting on other films both prior and after Evita, but who knows? 

Updated On: 5/2/20 at 03:00 PM

[wiggum2]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 4:48pm

Gaga as Evita is interesting... Has she ever sang anything from Evita publicly? 

[Impossible2]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 5:42pm

TotallyEffed said: "Madonna has already played the role. Gaga’s career took a major hit when Madonna turned on her, accusing her of copying her career and of being “reductive.” Madonna even did a mashup on her tour of “Born This Way” and “Express Yourself,” followed by “She’s Not Me.” She’s been quite cruel to Gaga. Gaga would never do something so closely linked to Madonna, despite the fact that her performance would far outshine Madonna’s.

Gaga would blow it out if the park. She has the voice, the look, the acting ability, and the raw passion and presence to play this role."

Her career nosedived because she morphed into an absolute idiot and her music turned to ****, though I agree she would make an amazing Evita and be far better than Madonna x

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 5/2/20 at 7:25pm

I agree with Jordan. I loved Madonna and I thought she made the role her own. No one can replace Lupone on the OBC, but I think Madonna’s version works better on film. Listen to “I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You” for a good example of this.

As far as the discussion on this thread, the original staging is absolutely needed. I saw the original tour and it’s still one of my favorite theatre experiences.

Updated On: 5/2/20 at 07:25 PM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 5/3/20 at 1:59am

Now I'm really curious about the original staging.  I've only seen a couple of school productions and the latest City Center production (which I thought was quite fantastic).  I think once Solea Pfeiffer becomes a bigger name, she could definitely head a large scale revival of Evita, though I'd be really interested in seeing Samantha Pauly do it too after seeing her in Six.  

I've personally always liked The Lady's Got Potential better as a song than Art of the Possible (it's a bit exhausting watching the musical chairs, and we kind of get the point after the first 30 seconds), so I wonder if any of you that have seen the original production would consider that a possible improvement.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 5/3/20 at 2:57am

Tina Arena was magnificent as Eva Peron in the Sydney Melbourne production last year, and agree 100 per cent with The Lady’s Got Potential.