Recap: EVITA at Segerstrom Center for the Arts is AMAZING | #EvitaOC #SCFTA @SegerstromArts

This week my friend Carolina and I attended the opening performance of EVITA at Segerstrom Center and one word - WOW!


The musical starts off really intense as the country is in mourning. It's not what I expected, but I felt like I was there too mourning EVITA! 

How many ways can one sing, "Don't cry for me..."? In the musical - more than one! Even Che (Josh Young), the narrator, sings it, and he will blow you away! When Eva Perón (Caroline Bowman) sings, you can feel her emotions and she does it flawlessly. Tissues please.

Caroline Bowman as 'Eva Perón' in the National Tour of EVITA. Photo by Richard Termine

Caroline Bowman as 'Eva Perón' and Josh Young as 'Che' in the Touring Cast of EVITA. Photo by Richard Termine

In EVITA, it's not just about the singing in this musical, there's the choreography. It's going to make you want to get up and Tango!

Not knowing much about the history of the famous woman, I often wondered why the country loved her so much, but then it all made sense. The people connected with her, and she was one of them (a commoner)! She was living hope that dreams do come true.  

I would have to say that EVITA was AMAZING and I enjoyed every moment of it.


PRE-SHOW ACTIVITIES 
(AVAILABLE ONE HOUR BEFORE EACH PERFORMANCE)

If you go, you must go early and fill out one of these Dream Cards and hang it on their wall. Here's mine:

Oh yes she did. Here's a picture of Carolina at the balcony. If you're going to do it, do it right!
(Arms out and chin up!)

Learn the history of the musical and production at their Screen & Stage Exhibit.

UPDATE: Caroline Bowman, who stars as Eva Perón in the current run of EVITA at the Center, and Desi Oakley, who performs in certain performances, popped up to the audience engagement displays in the Segerstrom Center lobbies on Wednesday (12/11/13) evening.

They stepped into the balcony setting to give the signature Eva salute, posted their own dreams on the Wall of Dreams and posed next to vintage photographs of the former first lady of Argentina.

Special exhibits, interactive activities and photo opportunities are planned for nearly every Broadway show at Segerstrom Center. Previously, patrons have had the opportunity to pose with members of The Addams Family, ‘get splashed’ in Flashdance and have their photos taken aboard the bus from Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

About EVITA:

Directed by Tony® and Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford, this is the first new Broadway production of the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, since it debuted on Broadway more than 30 years ago. EVITA tells Eva Perón’s passionate and tragic story through Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most dazzling and beloved score, including “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Buenos Aires,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” and “High Flying Adored,” together with “You Must Love Me,” the Oscar-winning hit from the film EVITA. For more information, please visit www.evitaonbroadway.com.

Disclosure: We attended as a member of the media. All opinions are our own.

EVITA 

Now through December 22.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall

600 Town Center Drive

Costa Mesa, CA

(714) 556-2787

SCFTA.org

PERFORMANCE TIMES:

Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 pm

Saturday at 2:00 pm* and 7:30 pm

Sunday at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm

Thanks, Segerstrom Center, for a wonderful evening out with my friend!