Evita

[krcasteel1986]

For "Evita", is it better to see a performance with Elena Roger or her understudy?

[smallworld]

See Elena Roger. I'm sure many of the snobs on here would disagree, but I find her to be quite wonderful in the role.

[dramamama611]

It's not her understudy, its the alternate.

There is no right or wrong, as neither woman is making all audiences think, "wow". I think this shows that the problem is in the direction, and not necessarily the actress.

[TalkinLoud]

I saw it with Roger and thought she was breathtakingly good.

[HBP]

I saw Elena Roger about two weeks ago and I found her performance to be phenomenal - my third favorite of the season. Her take on Eva Perón is a more sentimental one, so you may end up feeling for her by the end of the show. I'm not sure that was the original intent of the musical's creators, but she does very well by this production. To sum up, see Elena.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Definitely see Elena. She might be going on vacation after the Tonys, though. She's such a unique Eva and worth seeing. Try to sit up close, too to catch her facial expressions - she's a great actress.

[labwyfan]

I was pretty mesmerized by Elena's performance and pretty shocked she was snubbed by the Tony voters. Go see her. You won't regret it.

[doodlenyc]

I saw Christina deCicco and thought she was quite good...and could sing.

[bwayphreak234]

When will Elena be on vacation? I will be seeing the show in late June, and I MUST see her.

[Rainbowhigh23]

@elena_roger

"pronto tendre fecha de mis vacaciones pero no seran en Junio seguro. Abrazo"

Then "Querida gente, tengan una hermosa semana. Pronto confirmaré mis vacaciones. Gracias a todos por sus mensajes Amor, paz y luz per tutti"

The mention of June had me thinking end of June as Ricky is out first week of July. And peace, light and a hug.

[bwayphreak234]

Good thing I have not booked my tickets yet! I am fairly flexible with dates, so I will make sure that I see a performance where she is performing!

[Rainbowhigh23]

Follow her on Twitter - she should announce it there first. I'm very curious to see Christina now, though!

[bwayphreak234]

^ Just followed her! Hopefully she confirms dates soon!!!

[CarlosAlberto]

I saw it again for the third go round and the show and everyone involved have improved from the first time I saw it.

I think Elena is doing a great job...I also get a kick at all the spanish words being pronounced correctly. I wince every time a gringa playing Evita mispronounces Rio de la Plata, Florida, Corrientes, Nueve de Julio near the end of "Buenos Aires" or when a gringo playing "Che" mispronounces "Peron" as Pear-on. Ugh. THANK GOD they got some latin people up on that stage!

[Rainbowhigh23]

^ WEPA!!!! A Spanish accent sounds very nice in the show.

[ljay889]

Saw the matinee and was very underwhelmed. Elena is fully committed, but her vocals and diction have not improved since that atrocious London cast recording. I couldn't understand 60% of her lyrics and neither could my friend. She does dance well and has good energy.

Ricky was so one note. He only had about two expressions and used the same hand movements in every damn song. He was nice to look at though, and sung well enough.

Cerveris was certainly the strongest of the leads.

Rachel Potter was out. The understudy had a lovely voice.

[CarlosAlberto]

@Rainbowhigh23 WEPA INDEED!!!

Elena totally blows me away with her rendition of BUENOS AIRES! Ricky, Michael and the whole company totally gave their 100% the last two times I've seen it.

Going back to see it again before Ricky goes on vacation. (BFS)

[sklabam]

I dig her.
Rocks my world.

She's an actress who sings - not a belter who belts.
I prefer that.

Loved EVITA!

[GlindatheGood22]

Saw it this afternoon. It's a good production, but I've come to the conclusion that I just don't like the show. Ricky Martin is a horror, but I enjoyed Elena Roger's shriek-singing. If you listen to recordings of Eva Peron she used to stand on the balcony and scream.


Edit: Forgot to mention that aside from the songs I know I couldn't understand a damn thing Roger said.

[CarlosAlberto]

Go figure. I had absolutely no problem understanding Elena Roger's diction or her singing and I felt she did a great job.

[everythingtaboo]

Ricky is out the first weeks of July and August. I'm going to go back then. As hot and charismatic as he is, it's a nuance-free and literally one-note performance.

While Elena's voice is more raspy than I recall from the West End production, I still think she is a sensational actress and does the role proud.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

I hope to get a chance to see the Evita alternate. I've heard some wonderful things about her. As far as Miss Roger is concerned, I saw...I heard... I was underwhelmed. I thought Elena was channeling less Evita and more Edith Piaf (whose music I adore.) I'm not being a snob... I'm just being honest. from RC in Austin, Texas

[muscle23ftl]

I haven't seen her alternate, but I recommend seeing anyone but her in it. She ruined the show for me, she can't hit the notes and her voice is not pleasant at all.

[Rainbowhigh23]

All you Elena detractors - your dreams will come true later this summer:

Elena Roger @Elena_Roger

"Friends, I won´t perform in Evita from July 12th til 19th and August 13th til 19th. Big hug"


On Sat August 11th I´ll perform the matinee instead the evening show. Sábado 11 de Agosto haré la matinee en vez del show de la noche.


But you will miss being able to sit in the audience with people like this (your loss)


Who Elena Roger Greets Backstage at Evita

[DefyGravity777]

I saw Evita this past Monday. Couldn't understand a word Elena was shrieking. Neither could my 2 friends I was with. If I wouldn't have known the words from various other times I heard it I would have been lost. One of my friends though it was all in Spanish(that's how bad Elena's diction was)

Would love to see DeCicco or the other understudies and enjoy the show without having to cringe or rip the arms off my chair everytime Eva sang.

[bwayphreak234]

I have not seen Elena Roger live yet, but based on the London cast recording, the promo samples, and numerous audios I have listened to, I have had no problem understanding Elena Roger.