Most audiences nowadays expect to see the movie version onstage, so when they see Hal's original 1970's staging, they are disappointed. I heard people complaining all around me about the lack of sets and how the film was better the last time I saw Chicago onstage. If people actually expect to see a full replica of the Casa Rosada onstage, they are effin' crazy.
The original Evita designs and staging were brilliant, imo. They were abstract, suggestive, and got the point across without spoon-feeing the audience exactly where everything was taking place. This story is heavy on the lyrics, so I think it was wise to turn focus on the actors and not gaudy pieces of elaborate scenery.
The tour you saw was largely based on the original production. I think the only things that were changed were the size of the balcony (I believe there were staircases on either side instead of the catwalk that came right out from the wings in the original Broadway production), the lit floor, and the moving projection screen, which also changed size in some scenes.
The 20th anniversary tour back in the late 90's was an exact replica of the original Broadway production. Most productions nowadays don't light the floor from below. Now they just beam spots onto the white "M" on the stage floor.
Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.