Tony Winner Anthony Crivello Joins Cast of Studio Tenn's EVITA

Tony Award winner Anthony Crivello will join the cast of Studio Tenn and Tennessee Performinig Arts Center's production of Evita this September, playing the role of Juan Peron. Playing opposite Crivello in the eponymous role of Eva Peron is Broadway diva Eden Espinosa.

Premiering at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall September 9-18, the production marks a landmark collaboration between the two local arts entities.

Celebrating its local creative ties and significant connections to Broadway, Studio Tenn has cast Crivello, who replaced Mandy Patinkin as "Che" in the original Broadway production of Evita, as "Juan Perón," with Broadway veteran Ben Crawford (LES MISERABLES, Shrek the Musical, Big Fish) as "Che." René Millán, (The Wild Party) a Nashville actor with Broadway, television, and screen credits, will play "Magaldi," and the award-winning local folk and Americana singer Mia Rose Lynne rounds out the principal cast in the role of "The Mistress."

Crivello joins Broadway powerhouse Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn the Musical, RENT), who takes on the iconic role of "Eva Perón," in the historic collaboration between TPAC and the Franklin-based Studio Tenn that launches the 2016-17 HCA/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC season. Evita marks the first time any local theater company has produced a musical on TPAC's annual Broadway series, and the landmark show is being designed, built, and produced using local artists and creatives in a way that blends seamlessly its Nashville and Broadway ties.

"It is an incredible honor and a milestone point of pride to be working with Anthony Crivello, who rarely performs outside Broadway," said Jake Speck, Studio Tenn's managing director. "His name and accolades serve to elevate even further this already high-profile, nationally relevant production. With three Broadway veterans alongside two Nashville-based singer/songwriters in lead roles, our Evita cast exemplifies the convergence of world-class talent that is uniquely possible here in Music City."

Evita tells the unforgettable life story of Eva Perón: activist, suffragist, and venerated celebrity. Perón captivated a nation as Argentina's First Lady, and inspired others with her dedication to helping the poor. The international musical sensation Evita chronicles her life and work, from her humble beginnings in the rural lowlands of South America through her ascent to fame, fortune, and untimely death.

Adding to the cast, the Evita ensemble includes Laura Matula, Erica Haines, Shelean Newman (who played the role of The Mistress in Tennessee Repertory Theatre's 1989 production), Nan Gurley, Neal Buckley, Bradley Gale, Tony Nappo, Andrew Morstein and Galen Fott. The dance ensemble includes Anna Claire, Caleb Marshall, Lauri Gregoire, Billy Ditty, Abby Docherty, Arik Vega, Delaney Gold, Kyle Caress, Lexie McEntire and Quintan Craig. Students from Belmont University also will have opportunities to participate as ensemble members.

PRINCIPAL CAST:

Eden Espinosa (Evita) is most recognized for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production ofWicked. She also performed the role in both Los Angeles and San Francisco to critical acclaim. Other musical theatre accomplishments include originating the title character in Brooklyn the Musical, starring as Flora in the Reprise Theater Company's production of Flora the Red Menace, and playing Maureen in the closing company of Rent. Known for her powerful and emotionally-charged vocal style, Espinosa was the featured soloist in Magical, the fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort and can be heard on such recordings as Hair (BCEFA benefit recording), The Maury Yeston Songbook, Bright Lights, Big City, John McDaniel Live at Joe's Pub and Scott Alan's Dreaming Wide Awake. She made her solo concert debut in Los Angeles with her show ME in December 2008, before taking the show to New York for four sold-out audiences at Joe's Pub in March 2009. In 2010, her show From Eden With Love was performed to sold-out crowds in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Recently, she has been seen performing with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and as a featured soloist with the Shanghai Orchestra for the opening of the new Shanghai Culture Square in China. Espinosa also is recognized from her many TV appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, The Today Show, the 2008 Tony Awards, Law and Order, and Ugly Betty. Her voiceover credits include several episodes of Robot Chicken, MAD TV, and Sasha Caylo in Titan Maximum.

Anthony Crivello (Juan Perón) received Broadway's Tony Award, Chicago's Jefferson Award, a Carbonelle Award and nominations for three Jefferson, two Canadian Dora Mavor Moore, LA's Ovation, Drama Critics, Robbie, Garland, and Friends of New York Theater Awards. Broadway: Golden Boy, Kiss of the Spiderwoman (Toronto, London), Marie Christine, Evita, LES MISERABLES, The News, Measure For Measure, Heathers: The Musical. Film: Trade, Material Girls, Texas Rangers, Independence Day, Henry Toy, The Mark,The Glass Jar, Jane Austen's Mafia!, Slaves of New York, Spellbinder, Shakedown, and Crocodile Dundee II.Television: Emma's Chance, Behind The Candelabra, Seinfeld, CSI:NY, Frasier, In-Laws, Law and Order,Normal Ohio, Dillinger and Capone, The Lost Capone, Miami Vice, Star Trek-Voyager, Babylon 5, Alien Hunter,LES MISERABLES in Concert, One Life to Live.

Ben Crawford (Che) Broadway: LES MISERABLES, Shrek the Musical, Big Fish, On The Twentieth Century.Stage Credits: 110 In The Shade, Next to Normal, Titanic, Chasing Rainbows, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, A New Brain, Oklahoma! Oliver! Merrily We Roll Along, 35MM, Jasper In Deadland, Irma La Duce. Concerts: Indianapolis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Grant Park, and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, Rochester and Naples Philharmonics, and The National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Soundtracks: On the Twentieth Century, Big Fish,Merrily We Roll Along, 35MM, Writing Kevin Taylor, Frozen.

RENÉ MILLÁN (Magaldi) Broadway: The Wild Party. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Niagara: A Pan American Story. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Measure For Measure American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose, Gibraltar, Tracy's Tiger, King John, Romeo and Juliet, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Off Broadway: El Paso Blue. Regional: American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose, By the Waters of Babylon, Scorched, Lydia, El Paso Blue, Blood Wedding, Orange Lemon Egg Canary, I Don't Have....Badges! As Vishnu Dreams. Film: In America, In the Weeds, Year 2050, Keep Your Distance, The Disappearance of Andy Waxman, Closer, Race with The Devil. TV: Quick Draw, 24, CSI Miami, Third Watch, Days of Our Lives. René released his first and only album of traditional Mexican boleros and tango, Para Tì with collaborator Beau Bleadsoe. René teaches acting and has been a guest teacher and teaching artist at the Yale School of Drama (Beinecke Fellowship), Syracuse University, Seattle University, Vanderbilt University, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Actor's Bridge Ensemble, Nashville Shakespeare Festival and the Nashville Children's Theatre.

Mia Rose LYNN (Perón's Mistress) Stage credits: Gypsy (Studio Tenn), How the Grinch Stole Christmas(Grand Ole Opry), Fiddler on the Roof (Studio Tenn), Company (Nashville Repertory Theatre) Cabaret(Nashville Repertory Theatre). National and international credits: Back on Broadway, American Big Band, andTap! (Matt Davenport Productions). Lead Vocalist, Holland America and Oceania Cruise Line. Awards: American Songwriting Awards, Folk Category.

If You Go: EVITA
Dates: September 9-18, 2016
TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243

Tickets: TPAC.org
Phone: 615-782-4040
Group Tickets: 615-782-4060

About Studio Tenn Theatre Company

Studio Tenn Theatre Company is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) professional theatre and Production Company based in Franklin, Tennessee, founded and led by critically acclaimed Broadway professionals Matt Logan and Jake Speck. Their vision for programming centers on innovative, custom-designed presentations of classic plays and musicals as well as an original "Legacy" series of theatrical concerts celebrating the work of time-honored musicians. Currently entering its seventh season, this company on the rise is quickly becoming one of the most celebrated theatre companies in the southeast region. The company's 2016-17 season performances are slated for Jamison Theater at The Factory at Franklin, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and Ryman Auditorium. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit StudioTenn.com.

EVITA is the first production featured in the 2016-17 HCA/TriStar Health Broadway at TPAC season, and is presented locally by Nashville Originals. Performance schedule, prices, and cast are subject to change without notice. The season is supported by the HCA Foundation on behalf of HCA and the TriStar Family of Hospitals, and media sponsors for the season include NewsChannel 5 and The Tennessean. Institutional sponsors for TPAC include Nissan North America and Coca-Cola. TPAC is funded in part by support from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission.

TPAC is an accessible facility that provides a variety of services including wheelchair accommodations, accessible parking, and assistive listening devices. Open captioning, American Sign Language, audio description, and large print and Braille programs are offered at the Sunday matinee performance of each Broadway series and Broadway special engagement. For more information about accessible services, contact Lori Ward at LWard@TPAC.org or 615-782-4077.

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