This weekend, a sweeping tale of revolution, power and greed invades Madison when Evita"" comes to the Overture Center. Based on a true story, the musical examines the life and controversial political ideas of Eva Peron - the power-hungry, working class champion and wife of Argentina's former dictator Juan Peron - through an eclectic musical style.
""Evita"" began as a concept album with music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the creative minds behind ""Jesus Christ Superstar"" and ""Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."" That album has led to the highly successful stage musical as well as an Oscar-winning film starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. As one of the most popular musicals of all time, ""Evita"" has been performed in 14 different languages and 18 different countries.
According to Omar Lopez-Cepero - who portrays Che, the narrator - ""Evita"" doesn't conform to the stereotypes of traditional musical theatre. ""It's not a fluffy musical. It is very much an acting piece,"" he said.
There are only four spoken lines throughout the entire performance, a fine example of the ""rock opera"" genre Webber has pioneered through his work. The songs flow into each other, creating a seamless cycle of music. Evita's tunes are among Webber's finest, including the widely popular ""Don't Cry for Me, Argentina,"" one of the few musical theatre songs to invade the pop charts.
For those unfamiliar with ""Evita's"" plot, the show opens at Eva Peron's funeral. An Argentine man named Che observes the Argentine people's hysteria surrounding her death and takes the audience on a historical journey through her life, painting a picture of the legendary woman. Acting as an omnipresent storyteller, Che weaves in and out of the action on stage, criticizing Eva's decisions while recognizing her undeniable charisma and power.
""He plays the devil's advocate,"" Lopez-Cepero explains. ""He carries the narrative along while showing the negative side of Eva's story.""
At the age of 15, Eva runs away from her home with a tango singer to Buenos Aires, full of ambition. She gradually works her way up the social ladder, progressing from model, to radio host, to movie star while becoming involved with a number of love interests, each more powerful than the last.
This twisted chain of lovers eventually leads to Juan Peron, an up-and-coming political figure. Eva's role in Peron's presidential campaign soon makes her the darling of Argentina, but her populist ideas also earn her enemies among the upper class and Argentine military.
Due to Webber's British heritage, the musical sometimes paints the Peron administration's policies in a negative light since England controlled 90 percent of Argentina's business enterprises prior to Peron reign.
But according to Cameron Leigh Wade, who plays Evita, ""The musical gives you both sides of the Peron administration controversy,"" adding that. ""It allows the audience member to make a decision based on the facts presented.""
Because her proletariat ideals occasionally conflict with her self-centered proposals, Eva Peron's character is hard to pinpoint, but Wade maintains a positive outlook of her character's role in Argentine history. ""She loved the spotlight, which is evident from her ruthlessness, but she absolutely had a heart for her people.""
The role of Evita is not only emotionally complex, it is also considered one of the most physically demanding roles in the musical theatre since the actress rarely leaves the stage, sings 13 solos and goes through 14 costume changes.
""Evita"" is an enthralling stage musical full of passion and power, told through beautiful, soaring music. It will make you ponder the world-changing potential of a single, strong political presence, while sending you out of the theatre humming its haunting melodies.
'Evita' will be at the Overture Center this weekend on Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 & 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 & 7 p.m. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased at www.overturecenter.com or by going to the Overture Center ticket office.
