Andrew Llyod Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita began at the Arsht Center last night and was one of the best renditions in memory. It’s the touring version of director Michael Grandage’s re-imagined version that is part theater, part opera and all engrossing. The story of Ms. Eva Duarte’s Cinderella-like rise, marriage to Colonel Juan Peron and thirst for fame and political power remains the same, as do songs: Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, but the treatment feels new. She is embodied perfectly by Caroline Bowman, who is the show’s star.
The performance is a visual feast almost as much as it is sonic one. Either way, Evita is a totally haute tale of power, riches, class-struggle and beauty, even if the ending isn’t so happy. But hurry, Evita is playing only through Sunday so buy tickets here if you’re in the mood to be swept off your feet a bit like Ms. Duarte.
