Past Reviews

Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C.

Evita
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Review by Susan Berlin | Season Schedule

Also see Susan's recent review of Ink


Shereen Pimentel
Photo by DJ Corey Photography
The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Harman Hall in Washington, with its wide proscenium and capacious stage, is an ideal setting for director Sammi Cannold's stunning vision of Evita, comprising its enormous cast and imaginative staging. This production originated at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Audience members are greeted by Jason Sherwood's massive scenic tableau: the stage floor covered in white flowers and, floating above, Eva Perón's iconic white inauguration gown. As a crowd gathers for Eva's funeral–the public, the military, the church–and the embittered Che (Omar Lopez-Cepero) provides sarcastic commentary downstage, the woman herself (Shereen Pimentel) appears, trying to make sense of the occasion.

Cannold has organized a company whose members easily navigate the varying styles of the score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics, and also book), centering on Pimentel's epic and multifaceted performance.

While the role of Eva is known for its bruising high belt in numbers like "A New Argentina," Pimentel uses her voice in numerous ways to match how her character tries out varying roles depending on the situation. She sings in a sweet, high register as the seemingly naïve 15-year-old Eva, who seizes her chance for a new start with visiting tango singer Magaldi (Gabriel Burrafato, amusingly oily) and turns out to be more than he expects. After her arrival in Buenos Aires and help from many powerful men, she sometimes overplays her hand before finding a suitable partner in military leader Juan Perón (a commanding performance by Caesar Samayoa). Costume designer Alejo Vietti subtly enhances Eva's almost holy appeal to the public by never dressing her in any color but white.

In Lopez-Cepero's portrayal, Che is powered by rage at Perón's (and Eva's) abuse of the Argentine people, but he also has moments of bemused admiration for her unlikely successes. The other striking performance is Naomi Serrano as Perón's (very young) discarded mistress, who seems to consider Eva's path to upward mobility during "Another Suitcase in Another Hall."

Choreographers Emily Maltby and Valeria Solomonoff use the open space to marshal the ensemble in staged crowds ("Buenos Aires"), the rigid groupings of socialites and soldiers in "Perón's Latest Flame," and the adoring masses giving their hearts to Eva during Juan's presidential campaign. The spirited orchestra, conducted by Mona Seyed-Bolorforosh, provides strong and almost continuous support.

Bradley King's lighting design illuminates the minimal set (pieces of furniture appear and vanish as needed, backed by several doorways in the rear wall) with neon lighting in intense tropical colors.

Evita runs through October 15, 2023, at the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Harman Hall, 610 F St. NW, Washington DC. For tickets and information, please call 202-547-1122 or 877-487-8849 or visit www.shakespearetheatre.org.

In association with the American Repertory Theater
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Book by Tim Rice
Choreographed by Emily Maltby and Valeria Solomonoff
Directed by Sammi Cannold

Cast:
Magaldi: Gabriel Burrafato
Young Cadet/Ensemble: Eddie Gutiérrez
Che: Omar Lopez-Cepero
Eva: Shereen Pimentel
Child/Ensemble: Melissa Parra or Ariadne Rose
Perón: Caesar Samayoa
Mistress/Ensemble: Naomi Serrano
Ensemble: Martin Almiron, Julian Alvarez, Adrienne Balducci, Leah Barsky, Bianca Bulgarelli, Camila Cardona, Melody Celatti, Esteban Domenichini, Rebecca Eichenberger, Sean Ewing, Nicole Fernandez-Coffaro, David Michael Garry, Eric Anthony Lopez, Jonatan Luján, Caleb Marshall-Villarreal, Ilda Mason, Jeremiah Valentino Porter, Leonay Reina, Alysia Velez

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