Photo Flash: EVITA At New Line Theater

At the center of the story stands a wildly popular, charismatic political figure, beloved by followers and despised by opponents, a celebrity, a demagogue, the leader of a movement. Nope, we're not talking about Barack Obama or Sarah Palin or even Glenn Beck. Or are we? In Rice and Lloyd Webber's masterwork of rock opera, it's Argentina in the 1940s. It only feels like America in 2010.

New Line closes its 19th season with the brilliant political potboiler, the rock opera EVITA. And with this production, New Line will offer audiences a more intimate, more rock and roll EVITA, based more on the original 1976 concept album than on the massive 1979 Broadway production. No violins and no giant chorus this time, just sex, power, and rock and roll. The original Broadway show focused on the story's spectacle, but seen through the lens of 2010, New Line's EVITA centers on the manipulations and the petty games and grudges that make politics a contact sport, but also the unconventional love story between Eva Perón and the working people of Argentina.

Evita tells the story of Eva Perón, from her roots in a small town through her meteoric rise to international fame/infamy as the first lady of Argentina. Today, it's hard not to see her rise in parallel to our current political superstars like Beck, Palin, and Obama. Though Eva was a real historical figure, Tim Rice fashions her turbulent life into a rowdy, visceral, Shakespearean thriller of intrigue, betrayal, greed, power, and obsessive love. With Evita, lyricist Tim Rice honed his smartass, acerbic bite, but also went deeper than before into the emotional life of his characters. And composer Andrew Lloyd Webber recreated the energy of his Jesus Christ Superstar music but went beyond it to wrote the most mature score of his career, still rooted firmly in rock and roll. Like Tommy and Jesus Christ Superstar before it, Evita is real rock opera.

For more info about the show, visit http://www.newlinetheatre.com/evitapage.html

The cast for New Line's EVITA includes Taylor Pietz (Eva), John Sparger (Che), Todd Schaefer (Perón), Zachary Allen Farmer (Migaldi), Terrie Carolan (Peron's Mistress), Aaron Allen, David Blake, Tyla Daniels, Mike Dowdy, Macia Noorman, Jeanitta Perkins, Eeyan Richardson, David Sajewich, Michelle Sauer, Kimi Short, and Christopher Strawhun. The production staff includes Scott Miller (director), Jake Fruend (asst. director), Robin Berger (choreographer), Thom Crain (costume designer), Todd Schaefer (scenic designer), Kenneth Zinkl (lighting designer), and Robert Healey (sound designer).

As they have since 2007, the New Liners are blogging about the process of putting this show together, and you can read the EVITA blogs online at http://www.newlinetheatre.com/blogs.html

EVITA ran for 2,900 performances in London and over 1,500 performances on Broadway. It was nominated for eleven Tony Awards and won seven, including Best Musical and Best Score. It was nominated for ten Drama Desk Awards and won six, including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics, and Outstanding Music. It also won the NY Drama Critics Circle Award. In London, the show won four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. A Broadway revival of the show is planned for the 2011-2012 season.

New Line Theatre is a professional company dedicated to involving the people of the St. Louis region in the exploration and creation of daring, provocative, socially and politically relevant works of musical theatre. New Line receives funding from the Regional Arts Commission, the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, and the Missouri Arts Council. For more about New Line, go to http://www.newlinetheatre.com/contact.html

EVITA runs July 8-31, 2010, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, at 8:00 p.m., at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend. This is not on the Washington University main campus. July 8 is a preview. All seating is general admission. For Thursday night performances, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. On Friday and Saturday nights, tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale now through all Metrotix outlets, including the Fox Theatre box office, the Edison Theatre box office, and select Schnucks stores, or by calling 314-534-1111. This show contains adult content.

HIGH SCHOOL DISCOUNT: New Line has created a new ticket discount for high school students. Any student with a school ID can get a $10 ticket at any performance, with the code word for that show, which will be posted on New Line's Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/NewLineTheatre

EDUCATORS DISCOUNT: New Line offers all currently employed educators half price tickets on any Thursday night, with work ID or other proof of employment. Not valid in connection with other discounts or offers, available only at the door, and subject to availability.

MILITARY DISCOUNT: New Line offers all active duty military personnel half price tickets on any Thursday night, with ID or other proof of active duty status. Not valid in connection with other discounts or offers, available only at the door, and subject to availability.

New Line also continues to offer the COLLEGE FREE SEATS, ten seats put aside for every performance, free to anyone with a valid college student ID, one ticket per ID. The Free Seats will be available at the theatre box office, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. on performance nights only.

For other information, visit New Line Theatre's full-service website at www.newlinetheatre.com. All programs are subject to change.

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