Joining the previously announced Felicia Finley (Eva), David Brummel (Peron) and Frank Baiocchi (Che) are Claudia Koziner as the Mistress and Vincent Delia as Magaldi. The remainder of the company comprises Jill Stacey Carlen (Ensemble), Robert Cid (Ensemble), Rachel Cohen (Eva’s Sister, Ensemble, Eva’s Mother), Liz Donathan (Eva’s Mother, Nurse, Ensemble), Kimberly Jordan (Tango Dancer, Young Eva, Ensemble), Michael Kaer-Miller (General, Ensemble), Colin Liander (Press Secretary, General, Ensemble), Ricky Oliver (Ensemble), Christopher Regan (Eva’s Brother, General, Ensemble), Luis Salgado (Ensemble), Matthew Sipress (Tango Dancer, General, Ensemble) and Shorey Walker (Eva’s Maid, Ensemble). Gordon Greenberg directs.
Evita replaced The Mancini Project on the Helen Hayes schedule. Mancini, a new musical employing the songs of the late Henry Mancini and featuring a book by Rupert Holmes, was postponed due to Holmes' busy schedule. The Tony-winning composer/writer is currently enjoying a big hit with his first novel for Random House, "Where the Truth Lies." An extended book tour has left him less time to work on Mancini.
Former Aida star Finley stars as Eva Peron in the Helen Hayes production, which was seen this past summer at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine. With special permission, a few verses of "The Lady's Got Potential" — heard on the original Julie Covington recording and in the Madonna film — as well as additional verses of "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" for Eva will be part of this production.
Evita, which premiered as a two-LP recording starring Julie Covington (Eva) and Colm Wilkinson (Che), features a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). Hal Prince staged both the original London and New York productions of the musical, which made stars of Elaine Paige (in London) and Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone (on Broadway). The score features such tunes as “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Buenos Aires,” “A New Argentina,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall,” “I’d Be Surprisingly Good for You” and “Rainbow High.” Madonna, Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce starred in the film version.
The Helen Hayes Theatre Company is located at 117 Main Street in Nyack, NY; call (845) 358-6333 for tickets. For more information, go to www.hhtco.org.
