Review Roundup: EVITA Starring Eden Espinosa

Studio Tenn and Tennessee Performing Arts Center present Evita, which opened September 9 and runs through September 18, starring Broadway diva Eden Espinosa in the title role, Anthony Crivello as Juan Peron and Ben Crawford as Che.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Jeffrey Ellis, BroadwayWorld: Broadway veterans Eden Espinosa, Anthony Crivello and the scene-stealing Ben Crawford lend an air of mainstem sophistication and panache to the show, to be sure, yet they are surrounded by a cast of Nashville-based actors, singers and dancers who underscore our city's self-proclaimed moniker of "Music City" to absolute perfection, lending credence to the belief that all music made in Nashville - country or otherwise, but particularly musical theater music - is of higher quality than that created elsewhere.

Amy Stumpfi, The Tennessean: Of course, much of the credit must also go to the stunning Eden Espinosa ("Wicked," "Rent"), who manages to offer a truly sensitive portrayal of Eva, while sidestepping obvious sentimentality. Her vocal range is remarkable, and she seems just as comfortable with the splashy "Buenos Aires" as she does with the tender "You Must Love Me," (which was written for the 1996 film version). And her "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" is gorgeous.

Chad Young, Nashville Parent: Eva Peron is a role that Broadway sensation and powerhouse vocalist Eden Espinosa was destined to play, and her jaw-dropping performance is one that delivers a real human perspective that's well rounded. Espinosa's approach gives Eva much more than being a one-sided, power-hungry manipulator - a sole characterization that the musical in and of itself often portrays by way of how it's written. While that is certainly one aspect of Eva - and it's the slant that the musical typically depicts - Espinosa brings so much more humanity to the role. She presents the powerful side of Eva, absolutely, but does so while expressing a high level of style and graciousness, and most importantly, vulnerability. From the vivaciousness of "Buenos Aires" to the heartfelt plea of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," Espinosa captures the audience with a wide spectrum of real emotion while nailing the rapidly moving high and low vocal registers of the score. It's a treasure to experience her dynamic stage presence.

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