The theatre event of the year is Evita the Musical, and it doesn’t disappoint! Now playing at the Palladium until September 6th, this version stars Rachel Zegler (West Side Story, Snow White, Romeo & Juliet on Broadway – is there anything this young woman – only 24 – can’t do?).
You might ask yourself if there was a need for another version of this classic Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) musical? After watching this the resounding answer is yes!
This version is very similar to the 2019 version at Regents Park Open Rir Theatre – which did not have a big name star. It was bare bones – no sets – just the actors doing their acting and singing on stage. It was semi-well received and reviewed but this current version is larger than life, with a very big star, at the very large Palladium. And it’s helmed by Jamie Lloyd who just recently gave us the raw Sunset Boulevard both in the West End and on Broadway, winning many awards and was the theatrical event of the decade. It was spectacular, and its star Nicole Sherzinger won the Olivier and the Tony Awards. While this version of Evita is not quite as spectacular (and its doubtful that Zegler will be winning any awards for her role) – it’s very very good thanks to its very talented cast and the staging. Of course Zegler is the main draw, and perhaps she looks a little bit silly in the blond wig playing Evita, however her vocal chops rise to the challenge. And in the second half we see her singing on the balcony facing the outside crowds (which in itself has become an event) in full Evita mode – it’s a real breathtaking moment. Kudos to Lloyd for coming up with this novel idea. Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che the narrator will give you goosebumps while he sings ‘And the Money kept Rolling in (and out)’. Rodriquez is from Texas and this is his first major stage role – he’s definitely someone to watch!
All throughout the show the audience is transfixed watching the cast and their movements all over the stage – all professionals at the top of their game. The lighting is spot on, and the closer you are sitting near the stage the more you feel you are a part of it. However there are a couple missteps.
In the balcony segment, Zegler (Evita) segues into another song right away (from ‘Don’t Cry for me Argentina’ to ‘High Flying/Adored’ with Che), not giving the audience enough time to let it sink in what they just witnessed – it’s a real missed opportunity for a standing ovation (I did have a lump in my throat during this segment). Also, if you didn’t know the story going in then you would have a very vague idea what the dhow is about as all the storytelling is done by music – it would’ve been useful for subtitles at the bottom or at the top of the stage as this has been done before in other productions. This doesn’t take away from this spectacular show – it’s an event show you need to see. And I’ll guarantee you that you you’ll want to return to see the balcony scene from the street – it’s free but you might want to get there early as crowds build up way before the intermission – it’s another wow moment in a show full of wow moments!!