“Evita”

By Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

Stanley Theatre
Vancouver, BC
April 29 –  June 13, 2004
Reviewed media night: May 5th.

Shiamak as Che with the Ensemble Photo by Andrée Lanthier.

From the website: www.artsclub.com: “Evita is the story of Eva, a poor Argentine girl who grew up to be the wife of the president of Argentina and to be worshipped by her people. Featuring the songs ‘Don't Cry for Me Argentina', ‘High Flying Adored', ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall' and ‘The Money Kept Rolling In'.”

Cast:

Lovena Fox: “Eva Peron”
mak: “Che Guevarra”
David Adams: “Juan Peron”
Matt Palmer: “Augustine Magaldi”
Amy Wallis: “Peron's Mistress”  

With: Dan Costain, Stephen Foster, Meghan Gardiner, Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Shelley Stewart Hunt, Erik Ioannidis, Annabel Kershaw, Warren Kimmel, Gordon Roberts, Doran Satanove, Rnold Smith, Kindsay Sterk, Jon-Paul Walden, Sanders Whiting, Seana-Lee Wood – as the People of Argentina.

Director: Bill Millerd

Musical Director/Pianist: Bruce Kellett
Choreographer: Valerie Easton
Set Design: Ted Roberts
Costumes: Alison Green
Lights: Marsha Sibthrope
Choreography: Valerie Easton
Chris Daniels: Sound Design
John James Hong: Stage Manager  

Reviewed by: Caesi Bevis and Martin Chow

Shiamak, as “Che” totally steals this show! He previously played “Danny” in “Grease”, and if you can picture “Danny Zukor” doing “Che” – you'll be able to predict his amazing performance – it just works, and works well. Shiamak is a performer's performer, as well, captures the stage and virtually hold is as his own; he wins over the audience in seconds of coming on stage. He will remind you of some of the best performers you have seen on a certain summer-stock stage in “the Park”. Where has Vancouver been hiding this guy?! He also looks similar to the real Che Guevara, in spite of the difference between being East Indian and the real Che being Latino.

The real Che Guevara

Lovena Fox, who plays “Evita” can sing well, and can come off bitchy, in places, which the role calls for. The similarity to the role stops there. She doesn't look like Eva Paron, nor is there even the slightest chemistry with her on stage husband. Huge casting boo-boo, Arts Club. She has talent – but, she should have been saved for a different production. She has all the similarity to Eva Peron as if she had place Princesss Diana. Arts Club took a big risk casting her in the role, and I believe, will live to regret it, through no fault of Lovena's.

The real Eva Peron – a blond.

I'm from the generation of Latinos and Anglos being cast as “American Indians”, and later being severely criticized for it.  “Chico and the Man” where Freddie Prinz, a Hungarian, was so controversial for playing a Latino, “Chico”. There were pickets outside the studios in Los Angeles.  California, with a large contingency of Latinos, were offended that a non-Latino had been selected to play “Chico”. In later years, Ted Dansen appeared black-faced at an event honouring his then-girlfriend Whoopie Goldberg – which led to the breakup of their longstanding relationship. I don't think it makes sense to cast actors to place other races – least of all when you have an ample pool of people from the matching racial heritage available to play a role. I don't remember Vancouver having a shortage of fair blond, or could-be-blond singer/ actors who could have been a better fit to play “Eva Peron”. Why – the women playing “Peron's lover” – she even looks like the real Eva! What happened at casting time?!

While I accepted Shiamak playing “Che” perhaps a little more, again I think this role politically speaking, should probably have gone to a Latino. Enough said, yes, I'm being “politically correct.” I just wonder where Arts Club would draw the line? Would they cast an Anglo to play Martin Luther King?

Costumes and lighting were excellent and period. Ted's sets were similar to what was done with “Singing in the Rain”, beginning with a filmstrip, and interlacing film strips through the play. There were many set changes, so even though I missed seeing Ted's elaborate, “I want to move in.” sets, I can understand this wasn't an easy show to design sets for.

There was also a technical problem the night we were there: the band more than once drowned out “Eva's” lyrics.

Strongest singer: “Juan Peron's mistress”, Amy Wallis: amazing voice!

My closing comment after clock watching for two-hours, and watching several around me also checking their watches every ten minutes, or so…”can I see another production of this, for comparison.” Shiamak's facial expressions and cocky attitude, Bruce's music and the decent costuming save this show. Without Shiamak, this show would be bombing miserably.

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