There had been talk of recasting principal roles created by international pop icon Ricky Martin (Che), Olivier Award-winning Argentinean actress Elena Roger (Eva) and Tony Award-winner Michael Cerveris (Perón) in the Michael Grandage-directed revival, but the producers opted to end the run (with those stars in place) and look ahead to the fall 2013 launch of a yet-to-be-cast national tour at Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island.
"Our extensive search for a new cast presented the significant challenges of not only replacing a high-caliber trio of stars but also synchronizing the schedules of potential replacements with that of the production," Luftig said in a statement. "Despite going down the road with a variety of artists, the planets have simply not aligned for us to engage the right talent at the right time. Therefore, we have made the decision to end this incredible journey on a high note on Jan. 26 with our original stars intact."
Sanders added, "The style, grace and vision brought to this legendary musical by the cast, musicians and creative team exceeded our wildest expectations. We were thrilled by the diversity of the audiences that have filled the Marquis every evening and look forward to sharing this beautiful production with even larger audiences across the country beginning next fall."
Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Grandage (Red) and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie), the first new Broadway production of Evita, the pop-rock character study of the rise and fall of Argentina's post-World War II first lady also features Christina DeCicco as the alternate for Eva (Wednesday evening; Saturday matinee), Max von Essen as Magaldi and Rachel Potter as the Mistress.
Performances began March 12, 2012, prior to opening April 5, at The Marquis Theatre — one of Broadway's largest houses. The creative team includes Tony Award-winning scenic and costume designer Christopher Oram (Red), Tony Award-winning lighting designer Neil Austin (Red), Olivier Award-winning sound designer Mick Potter (The Woman In White), wig and hair designer Richard Mawbey (Frost/Nixon), projection designer Zachary Borovay (Rock of Ages) and music supervisor/director Kristen Blodgette (The Phantom of the Opera), orchestrations are by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Cullen (Sunset Boulevard) and dance arrangements are by David Chase (Billy Elliot).
The cast of 36 also includes Ashley Amber, George Lee Andrews, Wendi Bergamini, Eric L. Christian, Kristine Covillo, John Cudia, Margot de La Barre, Bradley Dean, Rebecca Eichenberger, J. Austin Eyer, Melanie Field, Jennie Ford, Constantine Germanacos, Laurel Harris, Bahiyah Hibah, Nick Kenkel, Erica Mansfield, Emily Mechler, Ava-Riley Miles, Sydney Morton, Jessica Lea Patty, Aleks Pevec, Kristie Dale Sanders, Timothy Shew, Mavis Simpson-Ernst, Michaeljon Slinger, Johnny Stellard, Alex Michael Stoll, Daniel Torres and Matt Wall.
A new Broadway cast recording was released by Masterworks Broadway.
Visit EvitaOnBroadway.com.
View highlights from Evita.
