Caroline Bowman News

Top theatre I had the pleasure of seeing in San Diego in 2013!

Ah, yes. 2013 was indeed an outstanding year for theater in Southern California. Even better: Orange County---my home base---boasted some of the best shows, period---marking an exciting theater renaissance in brilliance and artistry that I hope continues to grow here inside L.A.'s next door neighbor. With that said, here is my Top 10 Stage Shows of 2013 from Orange County and adjacent locales nearby, followed by my picks for the year's best performances.

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The Best in LA Theatre for 2013

Voting is now underway for Chicago! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

With perhaps the wittiest and most memorable promotional tool thought up in the theatre this year, the national tour of EVITA has introduced an image advertising faux tissue packets emblazoned with the show's iconic logo along with a reference to the mega-musical's biggest song, 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'.

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Now starring in the title role of the national touring company of EVITA, genuine triple-threat Caroline Bowman embodies the Dior-clad role of Argentina's once shining real-life jewel Eva Peron, and has been winning over audiences and critics alike with her powerful vocals and grounded acting. Right before she and her cast-mates invaded Segerstrom Center for the Arts for its two-week tour stop (ending December 22), Bowman agreed to answer a few silly questions from BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos.

Caroline Bowman, who stars as Eva Peron in the current run of EVITA at the Center, and Desi Oakley, who performs in certain performances, popped up to the audience engagement displays in the Segerstrom Center lobbies on Wednesday evening. They stepped into the balcony setting to give the signature Eva salute, posted their own dreams on the Wall of Dreams and posed next to vintage photographs of the former first lady of Argentina. Scroll down for photos!

Voting is now underway for Chicago! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Chicago! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

The National tour of EVITA is in San Diego through Sunday, November 17, 2013 at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

BroadwayWorld.com is proud once again to announce the nominations for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards, Chicago's only comprehensive, fan-voted theater award now in its 4th fabulous year. And the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble leads the way, with a whopping 15 nominations overall, including 10 for its summer production of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman.' Chicago Shakespeare Theater is next overall, with 12 nods, spread out over an impressive 7 different productions, including 'Othello: The Remix,' 'Henry VII,' 'The School for Lies' and its Shakespeare in the Parks production of 'The Comedy of Errors,' nominated as Best Theatrical Event.

In one of this season's most pleasantly stunning surprises, the latest Broadway iteration of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's grand stage musical EVITA has arrived in Southern California at the beautiful Pantages Theatre in Hollywood (its three-week L.A. tour stop concludes November 10). A faithful, richly layered direct transfer of the show's 2012 Tony Award-nominated revival, this entertaining, vibrantly refreshed production expertly blends modern sensibilities with classic staging, all while highlighting what is arguably Webber and Rice's most interesting musical collaboration.

Los Angeles Broadway World TV Correspondents Michael Sterling and Anthony 'A.J.' Hernandez were on hand to not only talk to tour stars Caroline Bowman (Eva Peron), Josh Young (Che) and Sean MacLaughlin (Juan Peron) and Evita Producer Hal Luftig, but such Hollywood celebrities as Shirley Jones, Marty Ingels, Patrick Cassidy, Sam Harris, Greg Louganis and partner Johnny Chaillot, Disney's G. Hannelius (Dog with a Blog), Hal Sparks (Disney XD's Lab Rats) among others. In addition to Hal Luftig, Evita Producers include Scott Sanders, Troika Entertainment & The Nederlander Organization. The production officially opened at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood October 24 and will continue its limited run there through November 10, 2013. Check out the video below!

EVITA has returned to L.A. by way of Hollywood Pantages for a limited three week engagement, now through 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. Below, BroadwayWorld has photos from the the opening night red carpet!

EVITA will return to L.A. by way of Hollywood Pantages for a limited three week engagement, now through 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. BroadwayWorld has photos of the starry opening night arrivals below!

Evita/lyrics by Tim Rice/music by Andrew Lloyd Webber/choreographed by Rob Ashford/directed by Michael Grandage/tour director Seth Sklar-Heyn/tour choreographer Chris Bailey/Pantages Theatre/through November 10

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.

I have to confess that other than the misguided movie that was made out of EVITA, the only other presentation I'd seen was New Line Theatre's wonderfully intimate version a couple of years ago. So, I was curious as to how this show would play on a bigger venue's stage. I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either. The current production playing the Fox Theatre is a dazzling mixture of song (score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics and book by Tim Rice) and dance that's both engaging and thoroughly entertaining.