EVITA - WILL THEY FILM IT? and a reflection on tonights performance

[chernjam]

So I just got back from seeing Evita tonight. First time I've seen it. A question hit me. ALW was so excited about LND being filmed and how he wished the technology was as advanced years ago to preserve his productions. So, has there been any discussion about them filming Evita before it closes? With an upcoming US Tour, I would think it would make sense as a way to promote it on the road and get some buzz. Plus selling the DVD would be profitable. If they could film the JCS concert tour, I would think Evita would be a no-brainer.

But I say that having somewhat mixed feelings about tonight's show (which btw - the entire orchestra was sold out... not sure about the balcony, but... for a Tuesday Night, I was surprised, not one empty seat - and Ricky Martin was not on, it was Max Von Essen)

Eleana - I really enjoyed her on the Broadway cast albumn, and she wasn't bad - but she definitely did not blow the audience out of their seats, and that role, you really need to do that. I'm not quite sure if her voice was weak. She did sound a little shrill at some points. And she did seem tired. I was really pulling for her, but...

As a whole though - it was so thrilling to hear ALW's score sounding so fresh, so energetic. I mean the first Act FLEW... the dancing, and the cast overall was awesome.

[Jordan Catalano]

No, it won't be filmed for Broadcast/release.

[shrekster224]

"As a whole though - it was so thrilling to hear ALW's score sounding so fresh, so energetic. I mean the first Act FLEW... the dancing, and the cast overall was awesome"

Definitely agree with you. The first act flies by and the ensemble is terrific, as well as Rob Ashford's choreography. Glad you enjoyed overall.

[florida theatre kid]

I agree! I found Rob Ashford's choreography to be very strong, especially "I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You"

[slmlbl]

I was watching Love Never Dies the other day and wondering the same thing.

I suppose i'd rather have a better cast filmed however, it does strike me as odd that among the ALW juggernauts this is the only unfilmed show. Guess we're stuck with the film for now.

[Bettyboy72]

Why would they film this dreck? Two leads who can't sing the score and provide none of the chemistry, nuance and political satire of the piece. This revival was a wash.

It's basically a staging of the film and we already have that immortalized.

[chernjam]

bettyboy - that's a really good point which I hadn't thought about - that they basically they made some choices which made the show more align with the movie than the original. There were some biting moments where Eva's bitchiness was still there (that definitely wasn't the case in the movie version) For example after "Dont Cry for me" when she snides "we shall see little man"; Rainbow tour when she snaps at her handlers... Another suitcase. It's still there (don't remember it being as obvious in the film)

But they definitely seemed to have toned the overall story down. With Max as Che, he definitely seemed to me to be more of the "traditional" che as opposed to reports that Ricky has played it more happy go lucky.

It's really a shame though - the music, I forgot how much I loved ALW's score... seeing and hearing it live onstage was pretty thrilling. I left barely giving it 3 (out of 4 stars), wanting to give it higher and knowing that with some changes (and perhaps a different Eva) it would have easily hit 4 stars in my book

[chernjam]

Oh and as for not filming it...

ALW seemed pretty high on the production and on Elena, that's why I thought he'd be inclined to see it preserved and distributed ala Love Never Dies. Particularly since a US Tour is starting soon

[frontrowcentre2]

I would rather they make a video of the original staging by Hal Prince... he kept the show tight and focussed with many brilliant tricks such as the use of slides and newreel footage to enhance the storytelling. Even the recnt tour that replicated this direction worked very effectively, despite a less charismatic set of leads.

[JoeKv99]

They won't film it? What if we circulate an on-line petition?

[Jordan Catalano]

That reminds me - I spoke with Caroline O'Connor the other week and she told me she was still doing PRINCE OF BROADWAY and then she said Hal Prince told her he REALLG wants to do a revival of SWEENEY TODD, recreating his original staging/design.

[Broadway Joe]

"(which btw - the entire orchestra was sold out... not sure about the balcony, but... for a Tuesday Night, I was surprised, not one empty seat - and Ricky Martin was not on, it was Max Von Essen)"

I was there last night as well and this isn't true at all, I almost didn't make it on time cause it took forever to pick up my tickets at will call cause of the ridiculous long line cause people were trying to get refunds since Martin was out. I was in he orchestra and there were plenty of empty seats near me.

I'm also not one to really bash people but Elena Roger was one of the worst lead voices I have ever heard on a Broadway stage. She sounded like a squeaky goat.

[BrodyFosse123]

Well, the entire original Broadway cast of this revival of EVITA was indeed filmed fantastically. Alas, not officially but this revival HAS been filmed for prosperity.

[chernjam]

Well Broadway Joe - I was sitting Orchestra Row R center and from my view there was not an empty seat in the Orchestra.

[Rainbowhigh23]

"Well, the entire original Broadway cast of this revival of EVITA was indeed filmed fantastically. Alas, not officially but this revival HAS been filmed for prosperity."

Aside from this filmed version, isn't there a complete filmed version from which they used scenes for the commercials?

[DEClarke]

I wish there would be a commercial filming. I loved this production when I saw it in July!