I have to admit that I've never ever seen a musical quite like this before. I've seen a lot over the years but they usually aren't as elaborate and grand as this one is. Evita is more or less an opera-type musical where most of the dialogue is sung instead of spoken. So, does this make it better than if it had been spoken? Probably, because the music provides a mood to every scene, and it makes you feel happy when you're supposed to feel happy, and sad when you're supposed to feel sad. Never have I cried as much during a musical as I did during Evita.

 

The songs are beautifully written and performed, and Louise Dearman (formerly of Guys and Dolls) has proven herself a wonderful actress. Finally, she has gotten a role that seemed made for her.

Evita is about the life of Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina. Her father died when she was really young and she wasn't allowed to see her father because she was a illegitimate child. When she became a teenager, she decided to go to Buenos Aires to become an actress. She pretty much slept her way to the top, dumping guys and meeting other men in order to benefit her career. She rises through to stardom, and because she has the right friends, she meets Juan Perón. He runs for President of Argentina and wins because his campaign is to help the middle and lower classes. Eva gains a lot of power because of this, and works to benefit the unfortunate classes, mainly because she started out in a middle class and she hated it.

 

The musical jumps back and forth from past to present throughout but once you get past that, it gets very good. The classic "Don't cry for me Argentina" gave me a shiver down my spine as did the tear shedding "You must love me."

One of the big surprises of the show for me was Seamus Cullen as Chè - he certainly held his own with Louise as did Mark Heenehan as Peron. All the actors work well together, even James Waud as Magaldi who has a very powerful voice.

There are those who may enjoy it simply on the level of spectacle, and there are certainly plenty of things to admire. I enjoyed it for the emotional input of the characters and the fabulous costumes.