Prince was the original director of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical about the life and death of Argentina's controversial first lady, Eva Peron. He reunites with original choreographer, Fuller, for the Equity tour that starts at Boston's Colonial Theatre Nov. 2-14.
Auditions for the choice role of Evita herself have been ongoing, with Broadway stars and lesser-known actresses vying for the part.
Prince will be "managing the entire creative process including casting, rehearsals and set design," according to the announcement. "Directing this touring production in collaboration with Mr. Prince will be Larry Fuller."
The legendary producer-director Prince's resume reads like a textbook on post-1955 musical theatre history. He's been associated with The Pajama Game, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, Cabaret, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd and The Phantom of the Opera, among many other works. He also staged the first Evita production in London in 1978.
Prince won the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for Evita in 1980. Elaine Paige originated the part in London (it made her a star) and Patti LuPone originated Eva on Broadway (making her a star and winning her the Tony). Madonna was Eva in the film version. The show's score includes "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," "High Flying Adored" and more.
The musical would usher in a decade or so of British created shows — Les Misérables, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Starlight Express, Miss Saigon — that were largely all-sung, earning them the term "pop operas."
At the time of its 1979 opening on Broadway, Evita set records for the largest box office advance on Broadway. Lloyd Webber and Rice began work on the project as early as 1974, and created a concept album that preceded the stage show.
In addition to his 1980 Tony nomination for Best Choreography, Fuller's credits include Sweeney Todd, On the Twentieth Century and Merrily We Roll Along. He has twice staged and choreographed both the Tony and Emmy Awards.
Among cities announced to welcome, Eva, Che, Juan and the population of Argentina are Chicago (Nov. 16-28 at Auditorium Theatre), Appleton, WI (Dec. 14-19 at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center) and Wallingford, CT (Feb. 8-13, 2005 at Oakdale Theatre).
