by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
What: Evita
When: March 15th, 8 pm
Where: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Moran Theatre
One of the most compelling musicals that I've seen is Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita. Jacksonville will get the chance to see it as part of the FCCJ Artist Series for one night only on March 15th.
The musical traces the life Eva Perón and her rise from a simple country girl and illegitimate child to the politically ambitious wife of Argentinean dictator Juan Perón. She came to Buenos Aries with no connections, but soon became a popular radio actress. She starred in a few films, but was largely known for her radio work. She was one of the highest paid radio actresses in Argentina at the time.
In 1944, when an earthquake struck San Juan, Juan Perón (who at the time was the Secretary of Labour) established a fund to aid the victims of the disaster. Part of his efforts was a massive fundraiser to which he invited film and radio stars. Eva was one of those stars and met Juan Perón at this star studded gala fundraiser. Soon they moved in together, scandalizing the politicos of the day. Within a year they married, and Eva was instrumental in winning popular support for husband during her broadcasts. She had tremendous influence with the people of Argentina, who saw in her a reflection of themselves, as well as hope that they too could rise above their circumstances. During this time it was unusual for a woman to wield such political power. Many resented her, but the poor loved her.
Cast member Lauren Sambataro says that her story has appeal because she "rose to fame and spoke for the people."
She's just one of a young cast "It's a pretty vibrant and a very lively cast," says Sambataro "People might expect to see someone older playing Eva...and the cast in general, like they were on Broadway."
Sambataro is the female lead dancer for the tango scene at the gala where the two met. The dance tells the story as much as the songs do during the scene.
"They intertwine the dancing with the meeting of Eva and Perón, so it's kind of a cool moment. The material that they're singing about, their whole relationship it happens simultaneously with the dancing--the intimate, almost sexual dancing of the tango mirroring their relationship."
For the tango scene, Sambataro wears a "beautiful red gown…it's definite transformation for that number." Dancing in the high heels and traditional formal Argentinean tango dress took some getting used to, but she was up for the challenge.
"It was something I had to work around. Learning choreography is one thing, but then you get on stage with this dress and the lighting and your partner-it becomes something completely different….I've found new moments in acting and in dancing, working with the dress. It really helps fill the character and adds to the moment."
Like the rest of the cast, Sambataro is trained in classical dance, so these Spanish-style dances have expanded her repertoire.
"None of us had really trained in that kind of dance before…It's very different but we…had one of the original choreographers from the show come and work with us…We learned a lot about the history of Argentina and Eva Perón. That really helped us know why…[we] were dancing and moving this way…It's an interesting change from ballet to have that Spanish flair."
The first major dance scene 'Buenos Aires' expresses the coldness of the people toward Eva, when she first comes to town.
"It's an almost angry dance…everything's very sharp with lots of turns…it all come together, the music, the acting and the dance."
The chorography for the show is the original version, so Jacksonville will get the Broadway choreography that made the show famous.
Catch Evita on March 15th, 8 pm at the Moran Theatre in the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call the FCCJ Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373 (toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY.) Call for a group discount. For online ticketing with instant seat selection visit the FCCJ Artist Series' website, artistseries.fccj.org.
Article Published in the 03-08 Issue of EU Jacksonville
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