This month, Live Arts delves into the life of one of the most loved and hated figures in Argentinean history, Eva Peron, in its production of the award-winning musical Evita. With an energetic cast, an evocative score and a set design that integrates real history into the play's imagery, Live Arts' production will pull audiences into the world of one of history's most controversial women.
The illegitimate daughter of a farming family, Eva (Marley DelDuchetto) grew up yearning to break free from the bonds of the lower class. She gets her chance to climb the social ladder upon entering into a relationship with a popular tango singer named Agustin Magaldi (Charles Lancaster), who jumpstarts her acting career through his connections with powerful theater companies.
Eva realizes the power that she has over men and uses her sexual prowess to advance. Her conniving strategy reaches its climax when she meets and eventually marries Juan Peron (Chris Estey), a popular fascist military leader with presidential aspirations. Thus, Eva is thrust into the center of national politics and gains devoted followers through her compassionate image.
Some characters in the play, however, are not supportive of the means Eva used in order to achieve her fame. Throughout the play, the narrator, Che (Jeff Dreyfus), constantly presents the audience with a conflicting view of her character. Following behind DelDuchetto in all of her exploits, Dreyfus puts all his energy into his role, questioning her lavish lifestyle and vain persona with statements like: "There's one thing I never got clear, how can you claim you're our savior, when those who oppose you are stepped on, or cut up, or simply disappear?"
DelDuchetto, a second-year College student, steals the show with her remarkably powerful voice as Eva.
"Performing the role of Eva Peron is amazing," DelDuchetto said. "It is one of the most challenging female roles in musical theater, both vocally and dramatically. While it has been difficult to balance being a student with the time necessary to rehearse and perform in a show of this caliber, I wouldn't have missed this experience for anything."
The other characters' singing abilities are overshadowed by DelDuchetto's compelling vocals. As Che, Dreyfus over-dramatizes, especially as a narrator, who would usually focus on spotlighting the other characters. Dreyfus' sometimes forced singing draws away from the real action at times. The actors perform more elegantly as an ensemble, accentuating key moments in the musical with fluid harmonies.
The dramatic set also helps to enliven the performance. A transparent screen looms behind the players, which Director Steven Levine uses to illuminate the silhouette of Eva in some of her more provocative scenes. The screen also serves as a means to project real footage of Eva's life behind the action of the musical, cementing the play within its historical context.
The most common prop used on stage is a ladder, which serves as both a metaphorical and literal symbol for the power Eva gains throughout the play. One key moment occurs when a group of peasant women are standing on the rungs of the ladder; as Eva gradually steps toward each woman, she takes a single object from them. This scene dramatizes how Eva used members of the lower class in order rise to the top.
Although the musical goes to all lengths to portray the character of Eva fully, DelDuchetto said she is not completely satisfied with the way the play portrays the real character of Eva.
"After studying Eva Peron in my preparation for this role, I think that the power she held in Argentina and throughout the world was underplayed in this musical," DelDuchetto said. "Some would say that Eva Peron was one of the most powerful women of the 20th century, equating her with Margaret Thatcher or Princess Diana."
In the end, the audience is free to form judgments on the controversial figure of Eva Peron. Whether the final conjecture will be positive or negative, this production serves to highlight the indisputable glamour and fame surrounding the real life drama that surrounded Eva Peron.
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