Original Hal Prince Staging of EVITA Announced for South Africa this Summer

Pieter Toerien and David Ian will present a South African season of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical, EVITA, in directed by Broadway legend Harold Prince. The seven-time Tony Award-winning musical charts the rags-to-riches rise of the First Lady of Argentina, who won the love of her countrymen after marrying military leader-turned-president, Juan Peron.

Set in Buenos Aires between 1934 and 1952, the musical follows Eva Duarte Peron on her passionate and tragic journey from her humble beginnings as a fatherless child to ambitious actress to the most powerful woman in Latin America - and, eventually, to a saint-like figure after her death from cancer at age 33.

With more than 20 major awards to its credit, and an Academy Award-winning film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA is iconic. Featuring some of the best-loved songs in musical theatre, including "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", "On This Night of a Thousand Stars", "Oh, What a Circus", "High Flying, Adored" and "Another Suitcase in Another Hall", together with "You Must Love Me," the Oscar-winning hit from the film, EVITA is a must-see!

Prince has won 21 Tony awards, more than any person in history. As well as EVITA, his directorial credits include CABARET, COMPANY, FOLLIES, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, CANDIDE, PACIFIC OVERTURES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and SHOW BOAT. He comments on this production:

I am absolutely thrilled to be directing this original production of EVITA. I believe that it is Andrew and Tim's finest work and audiences in South Africa are truly in for a treat.

Lloyd Webber is the recipient of seven Tony Awards, seven Olivier Awards, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. His musicals include JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CATS, TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, SONG AND DANCE, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, ASPECTS OF LOVE, SUNSET BOULEVARD, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, THE WOMAN IN WHITE, LOVE NEVER DIES and SCHOOL OF ROCK.

Rice is the recipient of three Tony Awards, three Olivier Awards, three Academy Awards and 12 Ivor Novello awards. His musicals include JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, BLONDEL, CHESS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, AIDA and THE LION KING.

EVITA will star South Africa's own Jonathan Roxmouth (SWEENEY TODD, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) as Che and Emma Kingston (IN THE HEIGHTS, LES MISERABLES), who has been personally chosen by Lloyd Webber, Rice and Prince, to play Eva Perón. Robert Finlayson will return to the stage as Perón. The show will be choreographed by the original West End and Broadway choreographer Larry Fuller and be designed by original designer Timothy O'Brien.

EVITA will be staged at The Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg from 14 October - 26 November, transferring to the Artscape Opera House from 1 December - 7 January. Bookings are open through Computicket.

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