Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical EVITA at the Firehouse Arts Center

Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre is proud to present the Tony Award winning musical EVITA with Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Lyrics by Tim Rice.

The show will run from April 29 through May 14, 2017: Fridays, 5/5 & 5/12 at 8pm; Saturdays, 4/29 & 5/6 & 5/13 at 8pm; Saturday matinee, 5/13 at 2pm; and Sunday matinees 4/30, 5/7, & 5/14 at 2pm. All performances will take place at Firehouse Arts Center, located at 4444 Railroad Avenue located in Pleasanton, CA. Tickets are $19-$40 each, and are available at the Firehouse Arts Center Box Office, by phone at (925) 931-4848, or online at www.pcrtproductions.org or www.firehousearts.org

Argentina's controversial First Lady is the subject of this dynamic musical masterpiece. As an illegitimate fifteen year old, Eva escaped her dirt-poor existence for the bright lights of Buenos Aires. Driven by ambition and blessed with charisma, she was a starlet at twenty-two, the president's mistress at twenty-four, First Lady at twenty-seven, and dead at thirty-three. Eva Peron 'saint to the working-class, reviled by the aristocracy and mistrusted by the military' was destined to leave a fascinating political legacy unique in the 20th century. Told through a compelling score that fuses haunting chorales with exuberant Latin, pop and jazz influences, EVITA creates an arresting theatrical portrait as complex as the woman herself.

Memorable songs include Don't Cry for Me Argentina, What's New Buenos Aires, High Flying Adored and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.

Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre's Evita:

Professional Director/Choreographer/Actor, Misty Megia, will direct this Tony award winning show at the intimate Firehouse Arts Center. She will be supported in bringing this vision to the Firehouse stage by Music Director, Rachel Robinson and Choreographer, Christina Lazo.

Of PCRT's production of this musical, Megia says, "I am thrilled to be taking on this classic show which is incredibly poignant in our current political lives. It takes on the rise of a power that completely divided a country down socioeconomic lines. A country became engaged because of their passions on the issues that were important to them. They protested, they gathered in large masses (although there were disagreements on crowd size), they made sure their voices were heard. When I began to read the history of this show, I couldn't help but to draw parallels to today's world. Minus the time period and the social media aspect the similarities are shocking and I had to consistently set my books down and reflect. Peron claimed that protesters against him had been organized by 'moneyed interests', Peron's speeches were meant to incite fear and rage and they were combative, accusations were made against people who disagreed, or news was created on Eva's radio station to only talk about how wonderful Peronism was."

Megia continues, "I was able to set down my books and actually had the opportunity to speak to a woman who escaped Peronism, on a ship named Evita which she has tried to scratch off of her now framed certificate of Passage. She gave me incredible detail of her families need to escape during Peronism and the anti-Semitic activity taking place considering them immigrants that need to be dealt with. It is heart breaking to see histories darkness repeated. But again it's not as easy as this person is bad, or good. Someone that ruined lives of many can also be considers others salvation. It all depends on the seat you are sitting in and your view."

"Interestingly this show doesn't provide an ending that wraps everything up in a nice bow and makes a comment on how you should feel. Instead it provides an opportunity to come to your own conclusion with the information it chooses to share. In politics, I feel things aren't always in black and white. There are always conversations we are not privy too, not all of the good is shown and sometimes the bad is tucked away from view. We are left to make decisions using our knowledge, what we are being told and are influenced by our individual backgrounds and decide what side of history you want to be on."

Misty is thrilled to be working with the PCRT staff again, having directed two of the first shows the company produced.

The cast features professional actors, including Ashley Cowl* as "Eva Peron". David Sattler* as "Che", and Christopher Vettel* as "Juan Peron". Rounding out the principal characters are Carolyn Bacon as "Mistress" (a San Francisco Conservatory of Music trained soprano and semi-finalist in the prestigious Kurt Weill Institute's Lotte Lenya Competition) and William Giammona (an accomplished regional actor who has performed across the Bay Area with a variety of professional companies) as "Magaldi". In addition, a talented ensemble of professional and regional actors will be supported by a fully professional orchestra.

[*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers]

During the run of the show, theatre lovers can also enjoy a special opportunity to interact with the actors:

A Free Inside the Show discussion with the actors and director will take place after the Sunday Matinee performance on April 30, 2017.

Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre celebrates human life by engaging audiences with Professional, Innovative and Inspiring theatre in the Firehouse Arts Center, Pleasanton. www.pcrtproductions.org

The Firehouse Arts Center is dedicated to inspiring passion through the arts. In the Firehouse Arts Center, we combine the sophistication of the culturally rich Bay Area arts landscape with the intimacy of our own hometown to achieve the ultimate representation the best features of our Pleasanton community. www.firehousearts.org

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