Casting has been announced for Bucks County Playhouse's reimagined version of the Tony-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical Evita, which will play the New Hope, Pennsylvania, venue September 23–October 30.
Directed by Will Pomerantz with choreography by Marcos Santana, the cast will be led by Gabriella Enriquez as Eva Perón, Pablo Torres (¡Americano!) as Che, Eric Ulloa (On Your Feet!) as Perón, Devin Cortez (¡Americano!) as Magaldi, and Maria Bilbao as The Mistress.
The ensemble includes Michelle Alves, Andrés Acosta, Marissa Barragán, Zach Bravo, Edgar Cavazos, Jimena Flores Sanchez, Juan Guillen, Nicolette Hernandez, Edgar Lopez, Amanda Rivera-Torres, Madeline Serrano, and Sophia Viscuse.
The dance-centric production of Evita sets the musical in the basement of an Argentinian tango bar. The concept was first seen and produced at Bay Street Theater in August 2018 under the direction of Pomerantz.
Evita will also feature scenic design by Tony nominee Anna Louizos, costume design by Michael McDonald, lighting design by Mike Billings, sound design by Charles Coes, hair and wig design by Bobbe Zlotnik, casting by Paul Hardt, and musical direction by Aaron Jodoin. Sean Francis Patrick is the production stage manager.
“Artistic Associate Anna Louizos, who is the scenic designer for Evita, first brought this production to our attention. It is based on a new concept first presented at a sold-out run at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor,” says Bucks County Playhouse Executive Producer Robyn Goodman. “Setting the whole production in the basement of a tango bar, Pomerantz brings a new, exciting perspective to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s show. When we saw it in 2018, I knew immediately it was a great fit for our audiences.”
Evita, which premiered as a two-LP recording starring Julie Covington (Eva) and Colm Wilkinson (Che), features a score by Lloyd Webber (music) and Rice (lyrics). Hal Prince staged both the original London and New York productions of the musical, which made stars of Elaine Paige (in London) and Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone (on Broadway). The score features such tunes as "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Buenos Aires," "A New Argentina," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You," and "Rainbow High." Madonna, Antonio Banderas, and Jonathan Pryce starred in the film version; Elena Roger headed the cast of the London and Broadway revivals, the latter with Ricky Martin.
“We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the incredible, all Latinx cast on Evita,” adds Producing Director Alexander Fraser. “It’s also very exciting to discover new talent. When Gabriella Enriquez walked into the room—initially to audition for a smaller role—we were immediately enraptured by her presence and talent. We knew right away that we had found our Eva.”
Evita is presented in association with Bay Street Theater. Visit BucksCountyPlayhouse.org.
