Max Von Essen Steps Into EVITA as 'Che,' Tonight Through 8/11

Max von Essen is scheduled to again step into the role of "Che" for six performances, August 6-11, in the new Broadway production of EVITA while Ricky Martin is on vacation.

Max von Essen originated the role of Magaldi in the current production of EVITA and will return to that role on August 12. His scheduled appearances are: August 6 at 8 PM, August 7 at 7 PM, August 8 at 2 PM, August 9 at 8 PM, August 10 at 8 PM and August 11 at 8 PM. Daniel Torres will play the role on August 8 at 8 PM and August 11 at 2 PM.

Max von Essen recently played Corrado Montelli in the critically acclaimed world premiere of Maury Yeston’s Death Takes a Holiday at the Roundabout Theatre Company. On Broadway, Max played Enjolras in the revival of Les Misérables, Alfred in Dance of the Vampires starring alongside Michael Crawford, Jean Prouvaire in the closing company of the original Les Misérables, and a disciple in the 2000 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. In that production, Max understudied the role of Jesus and performed it many times. Other notable New York credits include Tremont in Jerry Springer: The Opera at Carnegie Hall, Woody in Finian's Rainbow at the Irish Repertory Theatre, and Matt in The Fantasticks at the Sullivan Street Playhouse.

Daniel Torres has been seen on Broadway in The Woman in White, The Pirate Queen, A Christmas Carol (Madison Square Garden), Off-Broadway in Altar Boyz, and in the national tour of Wicked. Daniel’s regional theatre credits include PCLO, Sundance, LaJolla Playhouse, Goodspeed, Cleveland Opera.

The EVITA performance schedule is Monday at 8:00PM, Tuesday at 7:00PM, and Wednesday–Saturday at 8:00PM, with matinee performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:00PM. At Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee performances, the role of Eva will be performed by Christina DeCicco (Glinda in Wicked; Sister Act). Beginning September 2012, the performance schedule is Tuesday at 7:00PM, Wednesday–Sunday at 8:00PM, with matinee performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:00PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM. Christina DeCicco will then perform the role of Eva during Wednesday and Saturday matinees.

Eva Perón used her beauty and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady. She won international acclaim and adoration from her own people as a champion of the poor, while glamour, power and greed made her the world’s first major political celebrity.

EVITA tells Eva’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.

After researching the life of Eva Perón for many years, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber released EVITA in 1976 as a concept album with Julie Covington as Evita and it became a world-wide hit. Soon after, the production debuted on stage in London's West End starring Elaine Paige and directed by Hal Prince. The production transferred to Broadway and opened in 1979 starring Patti LuPone, who went on to win one of the seven 1980 Tony Awards the show earned. A major 1996 film of the musical was made starring Madonna as Evita and Antonio Banderas as Ché. Michael Grandage’s production of EVITA, which opened in 2006, took London by storm and garnered critical acclaim for the show and its leading lady, Elena Roger.