Review: EVITA Shines at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse

Any show that starts with the death and mourning of the title character, whether it is good or bad, is going to leave an immediate impact. Evita, the enduring musical biography of Eva Peron does just that, with extremely difficult music by musical theatre kingpin Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice.

Evita first came to Broadway in 1979 (nine years before Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera") and stayed for nearly four years. Besides Harold Prince's stunning staging, it featured the snarling cynicism of Mandy Patinkin as Che, the musical's narrator, and a magnificently intense performance by Patti LuPone, who portrayed Eva Perón.

The story, narrated by a revolutionary Che Guevara (magnificently portrayed by Matt LaFontaine) chronicles the life of Argentine First Lady Eva Duarte Perón, affectionately known as Evita (Joanie Brosseau-Beyette.) Determined from a young age to improve her station, Eva made her way to­ Buenos Aires as a teenager. She'd became a successful radio personality and actor by her early twenties, when she caught the eye of powerful military officer, Juan Perón (Markus Warren.) With the help of Evita's charisma, ambition, and popularity, Perón was elected President of Argentina. In her short life, Eva Perón captured the hearts of Argentina's poor and working classes. Even now, she is an almost mythic character in Argentine culture.

Matt LaFontaine's energy and gusto steals the show as Che, the one-man Greek chorus of Evita. LaFontaine is an ever-watchful eye on Eva as she transitions through the various stages of her life, sometimes optimistic about Eva's goals for her countrymen, but evermore disappointed and critical of her material excesses. Joanie Brosseau-Beyette, is very convincing portraying the divisive, "love her or hate her" Argentine with a realistic, honest approach. From the revolving door of increasingly powerful men in the cleverly directed "Goodnight and Thank You" to the iconic balcony scene in "On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada ("Don't Cry for Me Argentina"), Brosseau-Beyette's voice is strong and clear showing an impressive range. However, there was no emotional connection. The audience just watched this woman's entire life story play out on stage and by the end of her life she should have made us feel something. Unfortunately, I felt nothing. Markus Warren brings a stoic formality to the Argentine President that seems to be historically spot-on. While Eva was full of passion, Juan, was more reserved. In private moments, though, Warren shows a subtle ability to soften The Edges, especially as they sing the sultry duet, "I'd be Surprisingly Good for You."

Honestly, the moments where the show thrived were ensemble moments, with standout performances given by Tango Dancers, Cole Emarine and Sky Cash, whose chemistry was just as palpable as Juan and Eva and Eric Heine as Eva's first conquest, Augustin Magaldi, who mustache game was on point.

Candlelight Dinner Playhouse's mystical tale is directed by Patrick Sawyer. This production pulls out all the bells and whistles that one would expect to see from a production of Evita, from Debra Faber and Judith Ernst' breathtaking costumes to Shauna Johnson's innovative and stunning set. Also, killing it, was Stephen Bertles extraordinary choreography, with such numbers as Buenos Aires stealing the show. The technical side of the production really enhanced the production to the next level.

Evita runs at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse from now until November 13th. Tickets are available at www.coloradocandlelight.com or by calling 970-744-3747

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