Hal Prince's EVITA Aims for Broadway? — Page 3

Responding to a very early post. Can you imagine the marquee:

GAGA IS EVITA!

Im sure she could pull it off... Yes?

I have to say it looks great. I loved the original staging. However, don't those tempos seem really sloooooooooooow?

Any thought this might come to LA first? Just like the original. There is an opening at the Ahmanson season in May, but I don't know how long the International tour lasts ...

About a couple of days ago, I was hearing "Broadway Breakast" on Sirius XM Channel 72 with Christine Pedi. Love her. Buuuuuuut, when she was rattling off possible Evitas, she happened to mention Allison Janney. I was thinking...."are you f'king kidding me?" In the 9 to 5 recording, I notice all sorts of beautiful voices. And then there is Janney's voice. I mean, she doesn't sound like Katharine Hepburn or Lauren Bacall, but come on?

TotallyEffed said: "Allison Janney would be a great Che but I’d be worried about the higher notes."

Actually LOLed.

For me, a lot of people talk about the original Evita being masterful, and an achievement by Prince. So, to be able to see the "original" production, would be great.

Lady Gaga would be sensational as Eva but I fear that Madonna's involvement in the film destroyed any chance of Gaga playing the role.

Mister Matt said: "a thousand times why? why do we need another revival of this, i hasnt event been 10 uyears since the last production, is this an ego thing on Prince's part?

After the revivals of Gypsy, Fiddler, La Cage and even Follies, a second revival of Evita this soon doesn't seem so odd. The article says it still has to play Singapore, Australia and Japan first, so it's not going to be on Broadway that soon. At any rate, I'd welcome the original staging any time."

How many of the recent revivals of those shows you listed actually recouped? I’m thinking maybe only La Cage. Do you think the original staging and Hal Prince’s name would be enough to make this considerable better box office than the most recent revival?

Also, most revivals only recoup if they win the Tony. Would it even qualify for Best Revival if it doesn’t stray far from the original?

Lastly, Gaga would certainly bring in audiences, but I’m not convinced she’s perfect for this role. As someone already stated, she probably wouldn’t touch it since Madonna already has, but I’m also not convinced she’s the perfect Evita. I am not aware of her having any stage credentials. I could very well be wrong.

Updated On: 1/16/18 at 03:14 PM

How many of the recent revivals of those shows you listed actually recouped?

It doesn't really matter. Follies has never recouped on Broadway, but it's gotten two revivals (and perhaps a third soon). Fiddler, Gypsy and La Cage continue to get revivals whether the previous revivals recoup or not. Generally, revivals get the same chance at recouping as new musicals. As to whether it would be Tony-eligible or not, I think it's probable, but the Tonys rule on a case-by-case basis. The 1996 revival of Hello Dolly was nominated because the last time that production played Broadway was 1978. Hence, the 2006 revival of Les Miserables was deemed too close to the closing of the original production and was ineligible.

Do you think the original staging and Hal Prince’s name would be enough to make this considerable better box office than the most recent revival?

Depends on the cast, reviews and word of mouth, like any other revival.

Before dropping out of NYU to pursue her pop career, Gaga studied musical theatre at Tisch.

Well, then she has credentials for being a Tisch dropout. I've seen her sing a few standards well (though not actually performed in character), but I have yet to see her be a convincing actress. And we've already seen how taxing the role of Eva Peron is on an actress. I hope they cast someone with a proven track record when it comes to stamina.

Call_me_jorge said: "Can we PUHLEASE get Jenn Colella asEva"

Much too old, and I hate her voice. Please no!

BroadwayConcierge said: "Gaga would be perfect. I'm very rarely supportive of random popular artist celebrity casting, but this is a match made in heaven.

And adamgreer,Evitais something we apparently totally agree on (yay!). If you don't have a powerhouse Eva nailing those vocals, you shouldn't be doing the show. It's a waste of time otherwise."

I know she tours extensively, but I wonder if the demands of performing 8 shows a week would be too much for her fibromyalgia.