Eden Espinosa as Evita??

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:20pm

From Playbill.com DIVA TIDBITS
Evita was the show that began my life-long obsession with the musical theatre and its leading ladies, so the prospect of an entirely new production — announced for London in 2006 with direction by Michael Grandage — is extremely exciting. Two names have already been mentioned in the London papers; reportedly, the creative team is interested in Tony Award winner Idina Menzel or Madonna — who starred in the "Evita" film — for the title role, which was created on record by Julie Covington, in the West End by Elaine Paige and on Broadway by Patti LuPone. There are many women who I think would be wonderful in the role, but if I were casting, I'd give special attention to Eden Espinosa and Alice Ripley. Although she wasn't shown to greatest advantage in the recent musical Brooklyn, I became an admirer of Espinosa when I heard her sing two songs at Joe's Pub: "Get Here" and "Meadowlark"; she also thoroughly impressed when I saw her go on as Elphaba in the Broadway company of Wicked. And, then there's Ripley, who could probably deliver the score as excitingly as anyone out there. If her "Rainbow High" — which she sang at a Broadway Chatterbox event a few years ago — is any indication, Ripley would make a phenomenal Eva. Those are my thoughts — e-mail me yours.

I hope the producers don't have her in mind... does anyone else think that would be kind've a disaster - Eden as Evita? So many other Broadway/Westend ladies have paid their dues, who deserve the role, not Eden.

I know it's just his opinion.. But I think that's a bad idea.
Updated On: 9/4/05 at 12:20 PM

[theaterlover45]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:21pm

ME TOO^^^

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:21pm

Why haven't these writers started mentioning BRITISH women who are probably under consideration? It's highly unlikely that Alice Ripley, Idina Menzel or Eden Espinosa are going to cross the pond to play EVITA when they have plenty of Brits who can do just fine in the role.

[IveGottaBeME]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:24pm

i wish Eden was Evita.. it's actually her dream role as she said in her interview as well as Eponine in Les Mis.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:35pm

What about Maria Friedman or Ruthie Henshall?

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:36pm

OOOOH. Ruthie. She has an amazing voice. She can sing operatically, sing great in her chest voice, and CAN belt her ass off.

They should consider her.
Updated On: 9/4/05 at 12:36 PM

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:40pm

I think Ruthie would be good too--Eden might be a little too young for that...

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 12:42pm

Eden is really more of a performer than an actress. I think she's all wrong for the part.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 2:04pm

Eden as Evita?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 2:11pm

Say it ain't so man!

Say it ain't so!

[elphaba610]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 2:22pm

I saw the film version of Evita and it was alright in my opinion. I just saw wicked last week with soshana bean and she was amazing. Since she is leaving wicked maybe she can play evita. She would be amazing!

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 2:32pm

Eden would be amazing as Evita!

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:43pm

as much as i love Eden, I dont see her in this part--nor do i see IDINA (AT ALL!!!!) as the part, I will give up forever on theatre if Idina is cast as Evita.

[Ruth Sherwood]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:44pm

I enjoyed Eden's performance in "Brooklyn," but she is still too young to play Evita.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:46pm

Eden as Evita?

Trainwreck.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:47pm

yeah...not so much.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:49pm

If they give her the role, they obvious think that she is suitable for it. This woman is talented, and stop bashing her all the time.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 8:51pm

Eden IS talented but has her stylistic limitations. If you've ever heard Evita you'd understand that Eden just would not be right for the role.

Besides, she's a bit too young to be believable as Eva.

[Amneris]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:15pm

She needs to age a bit before she can play the role full out. She LOOKS too young and that is a good thing. I adore Eden and know it's her dream role.. in a few years, I think she'd be just perfect.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:19pm

wickedgeek28 you must first understand the theatre world is a harsh world to begin with , second please distinguish the difference between bashing and opinions---if we are saying "Eden sucks" that is bashing, if we say "Eden wouldnt be suited for this role" (though some tend to exaggerate their point....) so please think about your response before you post, no anger or bashing towards you at all, hope you dont take this the wrong way

[Conor]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:33pm

Eden is an incredible performer but I don't think she really has teh acting chops to take on Evita, not to mention to the fact that the score really probably wouldn't work taht well with her voice.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:37pm

I agree with what you're saying. I just posted that to try to stop the bashers from starting. It's a doornail, quite dead.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 9:48pm

I'm not an expert on Evita-but isnt Eva supposed to age during the show? Doesnt she start out really young and get older? So Eden's age wouldnt really hold her back. I personally would love to hear Alice Ripley or Lisa Brescia sing those songs.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 9/4/05 at 10:08pm

okie dokes, just making sure wickedgeek28, I love Eden, but i just dont see her in this role.

Posted: 9/4/05 at 10:54pm

Ditto. Love Eden, but I can't see her in this role. I actually don't know if I want to see Idina or Madonna in it either. Ruthie Henshall and Alice Ripley would be interesting though.

~Rosalynn