By OLIVIA MAYBANK | Special to the Palisadian-Post
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “Evita” is currently being presented at Palisades Charter High School. The show opened on April 21 with additional performances scheduled for April 28, 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. as well as on April 30 at 2 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Pali High
The show follows a young and poor Argentinian woman Eva Duarte from the 1920s through the 1950s. Eva is determined to leave her impoverished life behind, which she achieves by sleeping with people in high places to improve her social status.
Eva strikes gold when she meets Juan Péron who she convinces to run for president of Argentina. Eva becomes the face of Perón’s political campaign as she was loved by the common, working-class Argentine people. The First Lady also had her critics as many of her actions were questionable.
Such a complex character required the double casting of the role of Eva Perón played by senior Danika Masi and sophomore Roberta Alaman.
“Eva Péron, while looked on as a saint to the people of Argentina, was not so saint-like in her actions,” Masi said. “This musical naturally romanticizes this woman, but we had to look past the surface of this character in creating our own version to highlight the good and bad that consumed the power hungry Eva Péron.”
A rock operetta style musical is not a typical choice for a high school show, making “Evita” a challenging task for everyone involved in the production including the cast, crew and orchestra which is providing live music.
“Over 100 people have spent months dedicating their time to Evita,” Masi said. “This commitment should not go unnoticed. I am constantly overwhelmed and amazed by the talented people involved in this musical.”
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