Evita on Broadway?- Page 4

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:18am

Does Orfeh dance? I have the feeling that musical theatre isn't Orfeh's primary goal, and as much as people like to bitch that she isn't playing the roles she "should" - that may be partly her choice. She seems primarily interested in her voice over and recording career. For all we know she isn't auditioning for these projects.

And yes, of course Elena Roger hits the high notes in those songs. And its hardly fair to base your opinion on her performance on a handful of 15 second clips on the internet.
Updated On: 8/13/06 at 11:18 AM

[Al Dente]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:27am

Well Michael, I would imagine that since she's been in many a "dance" show and I've not seen the choreography modified for her, I'd say she does and can dance the part. I also agree with you and know, (for a fact), that she's far more interested in other mediums of entertainment (particularly television), than stage. That being said, I think Eva (not Lady Of The Lake, or Elphaba), is an *admitted* dream role of hers and she would be brilliant in it.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:33am

I wonder if she would be above being the alternate Eva. Great salary and it would give her lots of time to pursue her other projects?

[ruprecht]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:35am

She definitely dances Michael, but I'll admit, I'm much more interested in her having a theater career than she is. :)

I also wasn't judging Rogers, I just wasn't as impressed as I was led to believe I would be. Her accent was also very distracting IMO.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:37am

Interesting question Michael. Only she'd know the answer to that one though, I wouldn't even dare speculate.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 11:43am

Well, to be fair, everyone in the London production has a very thick accent: Matt Rawle sounds like he is right off the bus from Manchester. I thought his accent was actually more distracting than Roger's. Vocally, Elena Roger is not going to be to everyone's tastes. She is more in the Julie Covington mode than Patti LuPone.

I do think if it comes to New York, like I said, they should have a name of some kind for the alternate Eva. I'm not sure Orfeh is really much of a name outside of theatre circles, but it sounds like she'd be a fine choice.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 12:14pm

I really love Elena's voice in the role. Yes, it's very raw and rough around the edges but I can actually hear her and picture that voice being matched to the real Eva Peron. Patti was/is wonderful but I could never put that voice to the face of the historical icon that is Eva Peron.

Lloyd Weber for sure saw every female on both sides of the pond that was interested in the role. So him choosing Elena has to stand for something. The producers didn't wake up, see 5 ladies, and decide on her. This decision was a long time coming.

Lisa Brescia was a lovely Eva, not sure what I think about Sutton or Sherie. Caren Lyn Manuel was a fab Eva in the European tour a few years back.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 1:43pm

Here's my idea:

Well, I like the idea of getting a name for Eva's understudy. So, to keep her happy, they should let the undestudy play the Mistress. They did it this way in the national tour. I think it would work out well because they would always have atleast one name a night, but on most nights, they'd have two.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 2:14pm

I dont think many names would be very interested in playing The Mistress. I know Kate Manning understudied Eva and played the Mistress on the recent Kathy Voytko tour, but that is the first time I've ever seen that done. The roles have totally different requirements.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 4:25pm

I don't know Michael, Orfeh did sell almost a million records before ever stepping foot on a Broadway stage, so there may be more public awareness of her outside of theater than you think.

[AlmostFamous]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 4:53pm

I definately say Lisa Brescia for Eva! I think she would be awesome! And she looks great as Eva too!


http://www.gatewayplayhouse.com/2005/evitaphotos.html
^^ Pictures of Lisa Brescia as Eva Peron

[kelzama]

Posted: 8/13/06 at 7:00pm

The beauty of casting a "nobody" as Eva stems from the concept that Eva herself was a nobody--could have been anyone-- who clawed her way to the top. She was everyman. In Prince's original staging, that's why Eva is anonymously among the mourners at her own funeral in the opening scene.

Is Eva still on stage for that scene in the London production?

Regardless, I vote for a nobody to fill the designer shoes. I like that casting concept.

[kec]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:39am

"Is Eva still on stage for that scene in the London production?"

Yes, she is.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:17pm

Thanks for the pictures. They are great. I don't feel as though Eva's understudy can't play Mistress. If you can sing Eva, you should be able to sing the Mistress.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 6:14pm

bump.

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 6:56pm

Your annoying.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 7:00pm

I have always wanted to see Caroline O'Connor play Eva, she could sing and dance it to death.

Anyone else?

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 7:02pm

I like the idea of Sherie, but what about Mandy Gonzalez?

[lifeisacabaret]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 7:08pm

Guys,we all know who should really play Eva.




Harvey
(with Rosie as his alternate)

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 7:16pm

hey, Caren Lyn Manuel did this show and played Eva in Europe
there is even a recording of it (which i dont presently own)
but she would always be a GREAT option

[boxers7]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 7:21pm

I'd love to hear Alice Ripley tear into some of those songs.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/18/06 at 7:38pm

UGH don't get me started on Matt Rawle's accent! "But who was this Santer Evita?" He's cute and has a good voice, but it makes me want to pull my hair out.

I love the ideas of Sherie, Julia, and Alice. Elena Roger is good though so I could accept her.

And, omg, if Aaron Lazar were Che I think I would die of happiness.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 3:40pm

bump.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 4:35pm

Sara Ramirez may be fabulous vocally, but I don't know about her appearance. I still am rooting for Sutton, but that may just be a wish not reality. Sherie Rene Scott is a possibility. Then there's London's Elena Rogers. Idina Menzel was rumored to be starring in an EVITA revival in past years. What do you think?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/7/06 at 4:45pm

I'm kind of surprised Betty Buckley never played the role. Back in the late 70s/early 80s she would have been the right age and was known as one of the most prominent belting actresses in the biz.