A History of EVITA and the Women Who Have Played Eva Perón

With the Jamie Lloyd production of Evita in the works, we're revisiting some of the most iconic Evas to grace the stage and screen.

By: Stephi Wild Feb. 02, 2025

A History of EVITA and the Women Who Have Played Eva Perón Image

A revival of Evita is coming to The London Palladium from June 14- September 6, 2025, directed by Jamie Lloyd. While casting has yet to be confirmed for this new production of the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, BroadwayWorld previously reported that Ariana DeBose is no longer in talks to star as Eva Perón.

With Evita on everyone's brains, we're taking a walk down memory lane and revisiting some of the most iconic Evas to grace the stage and screen, from Elaine Paige to Patti LuPone, most recently Auli'i Cravalho, and of course, Madonna.

Elaine Paige

Elaine Paige played Eva Perón in the original West End production of Evita, which opened at the Prince Edward Theatre on 21 June 1978 and closed on 8 February 1986, after 3,176 performances. The cast also featured David Essex as Che, Joss Ackland as Perón, Mark Ryan (actor) as Magaldi and Siobhán McCarthy as Mistress. Paige was selected from among many hopefuls, after Julie Covington declined the role. The production was directed by Harold Prince, choreographed by Larry Fuller, and produced by Robert Stigwood.

This production won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and Elaine Paige won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Musical at the 1978 Olivier Awards.

Patti LuPone

Patti LuPone was the first actress to take on the role on Broadway. After debuting in Los Angeles, with a subsequent engagement at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco, the Broadway production opened at the Broadway Theatre on 25 September 1979 and closed on 26 June 1983, after 1,567 performances and 17 previews.

The cast included Mandy Patinkin as Che, Bob Gunton as Perón, Mark Syers as Magaldi, and Jane Ohringer as Perón's mistress. Harold Prince directed with choreography by Larry Fuller.

LuPone won both the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for her performance.

During the run, six actresses alternated playing the title role, in addition to LuPone: Terri Klausner (matinees), Nancy Opel (matinees), Pamela Blake (matinees), Derin Altay, Loni Ackerman and Florence Lacey.

Madonna

You can't think of Evita without thinking of Madonna, who played the role in the iconic 1996 film adaptation of Evita. The cast also featured Antonio Banderas as Che and Jonathan Pryce as Perón.

The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Original Song ("You Must Love Me," composed especially for the film) at the 69th Academy Awards. Madonna won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her performance at the 54th Golden Globe Awards. The film also won Best Picture–Musical or Comedy. The film was choreographed by Vincent Paterson.

Elena Roger

In June 2006, a major revival of Evita opened in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre. Directed by Michael Grandage, Elena Roger debuted as Eva, with Philip Quast as Perón with Matt Rawle as Che.

This production notably included the song "You Must Love Me", which was written for the 1996 film, but had not yet been included in an English-language stage production. Roger was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2007.

A Broadway revival of the show, based upon the 2006 West End production, opened at the Marquis Theatre in 2012, which also featured Elena Roger in the title role, alongside Ricky Martin as Che, Michael Cerveris as Perón, Max von Essen as Magaldi and Rachel Potter as Mistress.

The production was nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical at the 66th Tony Awards. It closed on 26 January 2013 after 337 performances and 26 previews.

Caroline Bowman

A US national tour of the musical, based on the 2012 Broadway revival, began in September 2013, which starred Caroline Bowman as Eva, alongside Josh Young as Che, Sean McLaughlin as Perón, Christopher Johnstone as Magaldi, Krystina Alabado as Mistress and Desi Oakley as the alternate for Eva.

Madalena Alberto

Evita returned to the West End in 2014 following a tour which launched 15 May 2013 at the New Wimbledon Theatre, before dates at the Glasgow Kings Theatre, Theatre Royal Norwich, and the Wolverhampton Grand. The production starred Madalena Alberto as Eva Perón alongside Marti Pellow, the lead singer of the band Wet Wet Wet, as Che and Andrew C Wadsworth as Juan Perón.

The tour concluded with 55 performances at the Dominion Theatre in the West End in September and October 2014. This production was directed by Bob Thompson, with choreography by Bill Deamer, and musical direction by David Steadman.

Emma Hatton

A replica of the 2013–2014 UK Tour began touring in 2017 in the UK, led by Emma Hatton, with Gian Marco Schiaretti as Che, Jeremy Secomb as Juan Perón, Oscar Balmaseda as Magaldi, and Sarah O’Connor as the Mistress.

This production also went on to perform a limited 91 performance run at the Phoenix Theatre from July to October 2017. Hatton reprised her role along with all her previous cast members. The tour then continued into 2018.

Maia Reficco / Solea Pfeiffer

A recent production notably featured two actresses sharing the role of Eva Person, at different ages. New York City Center presenting this production in 2019, which was directed by Sammi Cannold. Maia Reficco played young Eva from 15–20, and Solea Pfeiffer from 20–33. Jason Gotay starred as Che, with Enrique Acevedo as Juan and Philip Hernández as Magaldi.

Check out photos from this production here.

Shereen Pimentel

Sammi Cannold directed the musical in yet another recent production, this time at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts from May-July 2023. The production starred Shereen Pimentel in the title role with Omar Lopez-Cepero as Che, Caesar Samayoa as Juan, and Gabriel Burrafato as Magaldi.