EVITA Comes To Colorado, Opens 4/21 At Main Stage Theater

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities presents the Tony Award®-winning, larger-than-life musical, "Evita," opening April 21, 2009 in the Main Stage Theater.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's music swoons in heartfelt fashion in Evita--a modern musical that audiences worldwide adore. This Tony Award®-winning masterpiece is about the beautiful and charismatic Eva Perón and her rise from the poor slums of Argentina to a powerfully influential leading lady in world politics. It is an awe-inspiring story told through song, featuring a show stopping score including "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." "Evita" is a glamorous, powerful and fiery account of the
world's first major political celebrity.

"Evita" is directed by Rod A. Lansberry, the Arvada Center's Artistic Producer. Rod most recently directed the critically acclaimed production of "Les Misérables," which earned a Denver Post Ovation Award for Best Musical, as well as numerous other awards. In previous seasons, he has also directed "Buddy...The Buddy Holly Story," "The Rise and Fall of Little Voice," "La Cage aux Folles," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "The Full Monty," "Violet" and "The Women."

Lisa Karlin returns to the Arvada Center to star as Evita, after last being seen in "AIDA." Favorite credits include "Chicago," "Into the Woods "and "A New Brain." Lisa also appeared in the national tour of "Cats."

Jeffrey Roark also returns to the Arvada Center, this time to play Perón. Jeffrey was most recently seen in the Center's production of "The Crucible," as well as "Jekyll & Hyde" and "The Secret Garden." Other Denver credits include "White Christmas," "King Lear," "A Christmas Carol," "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "SWING!."

David Villella plays Che and was previously on the Arvada Center stage in "Pippin" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat." New York credits include the revival of "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Candide." David also appeared in the U.S. and German national tours of "Cats." Favorite regional credits are "Ragtime," "Man of La Mancha" and "West Side Story."

Shaun Parry makes his Arvada Center debut as Magaldi. Shaun as been seen in the Broadway production and tour of "Phantom of the Opera," the Broadway tour of "Cats" and was in the off-Broadway original cast of "Beowulf." Regional credits include "All Shook Up," "West Side Story," "Man of La Mancha," "SWING!" and "Beauty and the Beast."

Elena Gutierrez makes her Arvada Center debut as well, to play Mistress. Elena just finished the Las Vegas Company's production of "Mama Mia." Favorite credits include "A Chorus Line," "Crazy for You," "Street Scene," "Hello, Dolly!" and "Emerald Man."

Other familiar actors appearing in Evita include Stephen Bertles, Jimmy Bruenger, Rochelle Gallulp, Rob Reynolds, Michelle Sergeeff, and Sharon Kay White.

TICKET INFORMATION: For tickets, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200, log
on to arvadacenter.org or visit the Arvada Center box office at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO.

Prices start at $45.

PERFORMANCES:
Opening April 21, 2009

Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday matinees at 1:00 p.m.

Preview performances run April 17 - 19 at 7:30 p.m.

OFF STAGE EVENTS & SPECIAL FEATURES:
Friday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m.--FIRST FRIDAY! Pre-show appetizer reception. As always, first drink is on us! Call by April 21 to reserve your place.

Friday, Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. & Wednesday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m.--INSIDER'S TALK BACK--Talk back with members of the cast and production team following the performance and have a drink on us.

Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m.--Audio-described performance, to accommodate patrons who are blind or have low vision.

The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is one of the nation's largest cultural attractions, devoted to all aspects of the arts. It is generously supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). For more information on the Center's galleries, call the Arvada Center box office at (720) 898-7200 or visit arvadacenter.org.