Full Cast of EVITA Announced
Opens September 13 at Sydney Opera House
The full cast of the new Australian production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s EVITA has been announced by producers John Frost, David Ian and Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini.
One of the most celebrated musicals of all time, the original West End and Broadway production of EVITA, directed by Hal Prince, will return to Australia from 13 September this year, playing at the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House.
Last year it was announced that Australian singer, songwriter and musical theatre star Tina Arena will play the role of Eva Perón. Starring opposite her as Juan Perón will be opera superstar Paulo Szot, whose last Australian performance was the title role in Opera Australia’s Eugene Onegin. Szot played Emile De Beque in the award-winning revival of South Pacific on Broadway, winning the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle and Theater World Awards.
Playing the young revolutionary Che will be Kurt Kansley, who trained at Monash University and The Melba Conservatorium. In Australia, Kurt has performed in The Lion King, Rent, Godspell and Show Boat, directed by Hal Prince, while his numerous credits in the West End include Bernstein’s Mass Concert, Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Ragtime, Sweet Bird of Youth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Acclaimed musical theatre performer Michael Falzon (We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess) will play tango singer Magaldi, while the role ofPerón’s Mistress will be played by newcomer Alexis van Maanen, making her professional debut. Currently playing The Wicked Witch of the West in GFO’s The Wizard of Oz following her seven years as Elphaba in Wicked, Jemma Rix will be the Eva Perón Alternate.
Completing the cast will be Justin Anderson, Anton Berezin, Michael Camilleri, Olivia Carniato, Rachel Cole, Alie Coste, Jade Coutts, Kristian Crowe, Todd Dewberry, Rodney Dobson, Samantha Dodemaide, Laura Field, Zoy Frangos, Ashleigh Gurnett, Kate Maree Hoolihan, Georgina Hopson, Thomas Johansson, Thern Reynolds, Christopher Scalzo, David Sirianni, Tod Strike, Simon Tichelaar, Dean Vince, Rachael Ward and Paul Whiteley.
“We are thrilled to have assembled such a sensational talented cast to play opposite Tina Arena in this renowned production of EVITA,” said the producers. “The original West End and Broadway version of this truly iconic musical was a landmark theatrical event, and we can’t wait to present it with this incredible group of performers. Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and Hal Prince are legends of musical theatre; it gets no better than this.”
Featuring some of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best loved songs including ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’, ‘On This Night of a Thousand Stars’, ‘You Must Love Me’ and ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, EVITA charts the story of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Perón, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’.
Legendary Broadway director Hal Prince has won 21 Tony Awards, more than any person in history. Hal Prince will be joined by fellow original West End creative team members including choreographer Larry Fuller and designer Timothy O’Brien.
Produced by special arrangement with The Really Useful Group
#EVITAinAUS
Follow EVITA on Facebook & Instagram
