Perhaps I was being diplomatic, but here are some positive quotes:
"Designed by Christopher Oram in a style that brings to mind the Metropolitan Opera at its most traditional, this production accords “Evita” the kind of respect usually reserved for Verdi and Wagner."
"In other words “Evita” isn’t just showbiz, kids. It’s art."
"s the show’s center Ms. Roger, who was embraced in a bear hug by the London critics five years ago, embodies that unblinking reverence. In looks and self-presentation her irony-free Evita may well be closer to the real Eva Perón than anyone who’s played her before. I very much enjoyed her early scenes as the young Eva Duarte, a scrappy, mousy girl who is set apart from the crowd only by pure force of ambition."
"Rob Ashford’s smooth choreography, which presents every possible variation on the tango, is at its liveliest here as well."
"As Juan Perón, the man Evita made (in all ways), Mr. Cerveris (“Sweeney Todd,” “Assassins”) is, as usual, just about perfect."
"Mr. Cerveris fills him out with a finely exaggerated mix of pomposity, uncertainty and raw appetite. And he’s the only one of the stars here who finds the vocal richness in Mr. Lloyd Webber’s melodies."
"Say what you will about Mr. Lloyd Webber, no composer since Puccini has managed to write tunes that adhere so insistently to the memory."
Mixed to negative is obviously subjective but we've seen Brantley's most vicious pans and this wasn't one of them. However, to me, mixed to negative means that it was certainly negative but there some nice things said. The link is posted so everyone can develop their own opinion. My word is hardly gospel.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
