"Evita" Questions

So even though it hasn't gotten the best reviews I really want to see Evita because I really like the musical. I was wondering if it's better to try to see it on days when Christina DeCicco is performing instead of Elena Roger, or is Roger not as bad as the reviews say she is? And if I try to get tickets from TKTS, does anyone know the likelihood of getting obstructed view seats, or are the seats selling so poorly I could actually get decent ones or ea"sily switch seats at intermission? Thanks.

Another question: Did they take "Dice are Rolling" out of this production? I was looking at the 2006 London Recording and didn't see it. Is it a part of another song, or did they replace with "You Must Love Me"?

Updated On: 6/6/12 at 08:36 PM

I saw the new production of Evita the day after opening night. There were some definite ups and downs. Elena Roger is a phenomenal ACTRESS and DANCER. Not so great a SINGER. She was good when singing the quieter, softer notes; however, on the high/belting notes...well,it was offensive to the ears, and, as an audience member, quite awkward. But, as I said, she is a terrific actress. Her character interpretation was top-notch.

Ricky Martin was forgetable, plain and simple. A fine singer and dancer, but not at all right for the part of Che.

Micheal Cerveris, as Peron, was utterley magnificent! He has great stage presence, character interpretation, and an all around satisfying actor.

All of the featured roles had amazing performances. (i.e. Magaldi and the anonymous girl).

The real star of the show, I have to say, was the set/scenic design. It was made to look like a latin village (in some scenes) and a sparkling latin mansion in others. The walls that move about the stage setting different scenes are very interesting and beautiful to watch!

The ensemble is alright, but kind of lacking in energy.

ANYWAYS, I think it is worth seeing if you live in NYC, or are visiting the city for long enough to see other shows.

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Go when Martin is on Vacation, you won't be missing much and the tickets might be easier to get.

I love the show itself but was so disappointed with this production. Yes the set is beautiful but they seldom use the up[per level and it tends to dwarf the performers.

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Updated On: 6/6/12 at 09:17 PM

Does anyone know who will be replacing Martin?

"Dice are Rolling" is definitely in the 2012 production. The 2006 London recording is highlights only. I was listening to it the other day and hoping to hear "Hello and Goodbye" and it wasn't there, either.

Try to see the show with Elena Roger - she's a controversial choice for the part but as others have stated, she is a phenomenal actress and dancer. Her accent while singing is an acquired taste, her voice can be quite punishing on the ears in the higher register but she is unforgettable as Eva. If you don't have a chance to see her you won't be disappointed with the alternate either.

For the vacation I would hope Max Von Essen, who is the understudy and plays Magaldi, would take the role. I would definitely go back and see him as soon as it is confirmed.

And TKTS last week had nice seats in center mezzanine for a Thursday night at 40%; usually they offer it for Wednesdays.

I saw it a month ago and I still can't get that shrill voice out of my head. Forgettable she is not, but I would certainly recommend seeing anyone else as Eva. I found her acting to be ok, but I don't want to see a dancer in the leading role of a sung thru musical.

The set and lighting are quite beautiful, but the ensemble lacks energy and any trace of comedy has been completely extinguished (save for the written "jokes").

I cannot understand the complaints about the singing ensemble lacking energy, with the suggestion that they are just not acceptable. I found the singing ensemble of EVITA to be simply wonderful, better than in any Broadway musical going back a number of years. The townspeople making up the ensemble had magnificent, strong voices. In a way, they were the highlight of the show for me. If the category existed, they would deserve a Tony Award.

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See DeCicco instead. I saw Elena last month and still cringe when I think of her shrieking voice. Didn't think her acting was all that great either. I'm one of the few that thought the ensemble were excellent and also liked Ricky Martin. Rachel Potter was a standout also as the Mistress.

I'm seeing the show again on July 7th at the matinee when DeCicco is on and Ricky is also out on vacation.

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With the exception of A New Argentina, I didn't have a problem with Elena's voice. She certainly isn't the best singer to have played the role, but she uses her voice well in her characterization. I thought her acting was phenomenal. Ambition and drive ooze off of her. Christina definitely sounds prettier, but her overall performance felt very "safe" to me.

Updated On: 6/7/12 at 08:23 PM

See DeCicco. While it's obvious there is so much depth to Elena's Eva, I found her extremely difficult to understand... and her voice is really strained.

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tpeterson - what day did you see the show? I've heard that Saturdays have had bad audience behavior. Like Gypsy9 I saw it in late April with a respectful crowd.

Updated On: 6/8/12 at 10:11 AM

I loved loved loved Elena. Some of her singing was a little cringe-worthy -- but for me that worked so effectively to show a different, ugly side to Eva that most portrayers gloss over to make her likable. She shouldn't be likable! And Elena gets that right. I see her non-beautiful singing voice as an artistic choice that pays off to make this musical so much deeper than usual.

Thanks so much for all the feedback guys! I think I'm going to go while Martin's on vacation and go when Elena's playing Eva. I know the musical very well, so it's not a problem if I can't understand her because I already know the lyrics, and I do love the her accent. Plus really good dancing and acting seems like a decent trade off for singing that's not too great on the high notes. Now I'm just hoping I can get a decent seat from TKTS, but from what I've been hearing it seems likely.