Hal Prince's Original "Evita" vs. Re-creations

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 9:59am

I saw a touring production of "Evita" back in 2005 (?) starring Kathy Voytko (who I thought was AWESOME, and who was so sweet all the way from the stage door to the crosswalk). The program stated that the production was a recreation of Hal Prince's original staging. It's my understanding that most productions which have recreated Prince's staging have slightly modified it for various reasons (space, budget, et al). I was just wondering if anyone here knows what (if anything at all) was different in this touring production from the original London/Broadway productions.

Out of curiosity (really, I'm not looking to mount my own rip-off production...any time soon): when liscencing "Evita," is it possible to liscence the video footage used on the screen if desired, or would it be up to each individual production to acquire rights to any footage they might want to use?

Random small-world moment: I ended up going to college with a guy who had been cast as part of the children's chorus when the show stopped in Atlanta. I was briefly impressed.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 1:55pm

I can't comment on specific staging like every cross and hand gesture being exactly the same, but the physical production was the same with the exception of the stage floor. For previous productions and tours, lights were installed in the stage deck, and in the tour with Kathy Voytko the stage was simply painted white where the lights were in the original production.

I also don't remember if the Voytko tour utilized the revolving podium for "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," but if they didn't then that was also changed.

I don't know if you can rent the actual projections from the original production, but I do know that some regional companies have their designs available to rent. You might also want to try contacting previous designers who created the effect for various regional productions.

Updated On: 7/27/12 at 01:55 PM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 2:03pm

When Webber's work was licensed by MTI, they did license the projections for Evita; I have an old MTI catalog stating something to that effect. No clue if R&H does that now. If you want the costume package, Troika is renting out the same one they used on the Kathy Voytko tour, which reproduces the original Prince production designs.

Costume Rentals

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 2:19pm

LOL, I really was joking about wanting to mount a copy-cat production. I have more important things to focus on right now, like school and finding a job. But that's all good to know, just in case.

I should have been clearer: I did mean the physical production, like sets, lighting and such. I wouldn't ever try to analyze every bit of blocking from one production of a show to another. I mean it would be so...no!

I would have sworn the stage deck lit up. I remember moving from the balcony to an empty orchestra seat for the second act, and wishing I could still see the stage floor. Then again, the distance could have just been playing tricks on my eyes, or years of looking at photos & videos convinced me I had seen a light-up stage. Whatever.

I definitely remember the revolve during the balcony scene. I remember thinking "Holy crap, that's brilliant!" (I had a similar thought during "Goodnight and Thank You" when I saw the revolving door in action).

Thanks for the replies, guys (or dolls...)!

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 3:42pm

Honestly, I want to get the info together just to be able to bring it back whenever. Too many productions try to reinvent the wheel. Thinking like a producer, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 5:24pm

I saw Kathy Voytko as well on the tour! She was wonderful. It was my first time seeing the show live, and I absolutely loved it.

[Iris Chacon]

Posted: 7/27/12 at 5:29pm

I saw this tour and thought it was flat and boring. There used to be a huge thread on this particular production on this board.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 12:25am

To be fair, I was 15 and my only other exposure to "Evita" thus far had been the movie (which I don't hate), the Tony Award clips of the original cast, and the Premiere American Recording. It could have been awful, but I wouldn't have known. If it was bad, I'm lucky I didn't know any better, and was able to enjoy the show and my memories of it. Now I'm off to read the aforementioned thread & taint my memories!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/28/12 at 6:31pm

I want Iris Chacon to replace Elena Roger in EVITA.

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 9/26/12 at 11:48am

(Didn't want to have to start a new thread so forgive if it's a little off topic)

Can anybody comment on how Hal Prince's concept of Eva (apart from the obviously different performers) is different to the current revival? I've read many people say on other threads the way Eva is conceived is quite different.