EVITA Begins Performances This Week at the Pantages

Producers Hal Luftig, Scott Sanders, Troika Entertainment & The Nederlander Organization have announced that EVITA will return to L.A. by way of Hollywood Pantages for a limited three week engagement; October 23 - November 10, 2013. Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford, this national touring production comes directly from the first new Broadway revival of the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, since it debuted on Broadway over 30 years ago.

Individual tickets for EVITA may be purchased online at www.HollywoodPantages.com or www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-982-2787. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Pantages Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. The Pantages Theatre is located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, just east of Vine Street, and the box office opens daily at 10am except for holidays.

The national tour stars Caroline Bowman as Eva Peron, Josh Young as Che, Sean MacLaughlin as Peron, Christopher Johnstone as Magaldi, Krystina Alabado as Mistress and Desi Oakley serves as the Alternate for Eva Peron.

Rounding out the cast are Ryan K. Bailer, Nicholas Belton, Jessica Bishop, Ronald L. Brown, Holly Ann Butler, Diana DiMarzio, Samantha Farrow, Katharine Heaton, Tony Howell, Katie Huff, Patrick Oliver Jones, Chris Kotera, Ian Liberto, Alison Mahoney, Robin Masella, Megan Ort, John Riddle, Morgan Rose, Jeffrey C. Sousa and Tug Watson.

Eva Perón used her beauty and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady. Adored by her people as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world - while her greed, outsized ambition and fragile health made her one of the most tragic. EVITA tells Eva's passionate and unforgettable true story, and features some of theater's most beautiful songs, including "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" and "High Flying, Adored."

After researching the life of Eva Perón for many years, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber released EVITA in 1976 as a concept album with Julie Covington singing the title role, and it became a world-wide hit. Soon after, the first production - directed by Hal Prince - debuted on stage in London's West End in 1978 starring Elaine Paige as Eva, David Essex as Che and Joss Ackland as Perón. The show won two SWET awards (now Olivier Awards) for Best New Musical and Best Performer of the Year in a Musical (Elaine Paige). The production transferred to Broadway and opened in 1979 starring Patti LuPone as Eva, Mandy Patinkin as Che, and Bob Gunton as Perón. The Broadway production went on to win seven 1980 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Actress (Patti LuPone).

A major 1996 film of the musical directed by Alan Parker starred Madonna as Eva, Antonio Banderas as Che, and Jonathan Pryce as Juan Perón. The film grossed $50 million nationally, $141 million worldwide, and was nominated for 5 Academy Awards, winning one for Best New Song ("You Must Love Me").

Michael Grandage's production of EVITA, which opened in June 2006, took London by storm and garnered critical acclaim for the show and its leading lady, Elena Roger. Che was played by Matt Rawle, and Perón was played by Philip Quast. The show received four Olivier Award nominations -- Outstanding Musical Production (equivalent to Best Revival), Best Actress (Elena Roger), Best Actor (Philip Quast) and Best Choreography (Rob Ashford) - and played its final performance in May 2007. The recent Broadway revival played Nederlander's Marquis Theatre from April 5, 2012 through January 26, 2013.

The creative team includes tour director Seth Sklar-Heyn, tour choreographer Chris Bailey, Tony Award-winning scenic and costume designer Christopher Oram, Tony Award-winning lighting designer Neil Austin, Olivier Award-winning sound designer Mick Potter, wig and hair designer Richard Mawbey, projection designer Zachary Borovay, and music supervisor Kristen Blodgette, music director/conductor William Waldrop, orchestrations are by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Cullen, and dance arrangements are by David Chase.

The National Tour of EVITA is produced by Hal Luftig, Scott Sanders and Troika Entertainment.

The performance schedule for EVITA is Tuesday through Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, and Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm. Opening Night is Thursday October 24th at 8pm. EVITA has a running time of 2 hours and 15 minutes including intermission and is recommended for ages 9 and up. (Please note that in consideration of audiences, no one under 5 will be admitted to the theatre.) Orchestra level tickets for EVITA start at just $25. Prices are subject to change without notice. For more information on EVITA, visit www.EvitaOnBroadway.com.

For tickets or more information about the Los Angeles engagement of EVITA, please visit the Pantages Theatre's official website, www.HollywoodPantages.com.

Photo Credit: Richard Termine