Jamie Lloyd-helmed EVITA revival to play the London Palladium in 2025- Page 16

[akhoya87]

Posted: 6/19/25 at 10:24am

ChorusJ16 said: "Next up Sabrina Carpenter concert of Stephen Ward- The friendly osteopath."

Poor Sabrina Carpenter out here catching strays.  Lest we forget, her acting career is longer than Rachel's...

Plus, I think she'd do a mean "I'm Hopeless When It Comes to You."

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 6/19/25 at 2:02pm

smallvillefan16 said: "Anyone else think Ariana DeBrose will be offered Broadway if she's now available? Rachel is a very talented singer but I can't imagine American audiences clamoring to see her. She's one of the least liked actors in America--- Ariana is loved by the public and broadway."

Zegler was in one Broadway show, Romeo + Juliet, and it recouped. The only evidence that exists is that she's a draw on Broadway.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/19/25 at 3:45pm

Kit Connor was the draw in Romeo and Juliet.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/19/25 at 7:03pm

Just getting back from tonight's performance and I thought it was overall fantastic. I loved this at Regent's Park with Sam Pauly in 2019 so was very much looking forward to seeing what Lloyd's "elevated" vision would be. Now I've seen his "Sunset" more than a couple times to catch all the Normas that have cycled through it and with that production I think performances are MUCH MUCH better than the actual production which I'm frankly not really a fan of (I know, I know). Someone somewhere said "Evita" itself was an abstract musical so it lends itself much better to this kind of staging which I completely agree with and was very happy to see someone put into words why I feel this works so well, where I personally felt the other didn't. 

The show doesn't succeed at all without an astounding actress as Eva and that's exactly what Zegler is. Her Eva completely leans into the manipulative nature of the woman and it works in spades. She's very lucky to be joined onstage by Diego as her Che and the really phenomenal James Olivas as Perón, both who deserve as much acclaim as she is and will continue to get. 

My one "meh" here is the "Don't Cry For Me" segment. It's almost stupid complaining about it since it's not going to change at all but while how it's done, I absolutely see what they're going for and I think it only partially succeeds since that staging takes away a lot of the impact of the song, especially when Rachel turns to the camera when (at least I think) we need to see her reacting to the crowd below her. But I guess if this is his "thing" than it's his "thing". 

I know there's been a lot of speculation on it coming to New York but it is. Confirmed to me tonight. No timeline or anything, but it is. And Rachel deserves to be the toast of NYC the way Nicole way. 

[halfhourcheckwithmerman]

Posted: 6/19/25 at 8:43pm

Jordan, as someone who was semi-eh on SUNSET, you're the first person to make me genuinely excited to see this revival. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/19/25 at 8:45pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Just getting back from tonight's performance and I thought it was overall fantastic. I loved this at Regent's Park with Sam Pauly in 2019 so was very much looking forward to seeing what Lloyd's "elevated" vision would be. Now I've seen his "Sunset" more than a couple times to catch all the Normas that have cycled through it and with that production I think performances are MUCH MUCH better than the actual production which I'm frankly not really a fan of (I know, I know). Someone somewhere said "Evita" itself was an abstract musical so it lends itself much better to this kind of staging which I completely agree with and was very happy to see someone put into words why I feel this works so well, where I personally felt the other didn't.

The show doesn't succeed at all without an astounding actress as Eva and that's exactly what Zegler is. Her Eva completely leans into the manipulative nature of the woman and it works in spades. She's very lucky to be joined onstage by Diego as her Che and the really phenomenal James Olivas as Perón, both who deserve as much acclaim as she is andwill continue to get.

My one "meh" here is the "Don't Cry For Me" segment. It's almost stupid complaining about it since it's not going to change at all but while how it's done, I absolutely see what they're going for and I think it only partially succeeds since that staging takes away a lot of the impact of the song, especially when Rachel turns to the camera when (at least I think) we need to see her reacting to the crowd below her. But I guess if this is his "thing" than it's his "thing".

I know there's been a lot of speculation on it coming to New York but it is. Confirmed to me tonight. No timeline or anything, but it is. And Rachel deserves to be the toast of NYC the way Nicole way."

You are one of the board members whose opinions I truly respect. Thank you for your insightful perspective of what you witnessed from this production and performances.

I am really looking forward to see this production if it makes It across the pond with Zegler in tow.

[TBFL]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 1:42am

MadsonMelo said: "I LOVE Ariana, but she can't sing this score.

She better off tryin' to get SPIDER WOMAN off the ground."

Nicole has said recently in interviews that she would be interested in Spider Woman

[BJR]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 1:48am

TBFL said: "MadsonMelo said: "I LOVE Ariana, but she can't sing this score.

She better off tryin' to get SPIDER WOMAN off the ground."

Nicole has said recently in interviews that she would be interested in Spider Woman"

I know they’re hoping the film creates enough interest to get a revival off the ground. I bet Nicole would help that.

also, Jordan, you just got me so excited. 

Updated On: 6/20/25 at 01:48 AM

[binau]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 2:08am

I personally don’t think any suggestion that Rachel could or would be replaced is realistic. It would be like asking if Sunset would go to Broadway without Nicole. The ticket sales are extremely strong - much stronger than Imelda Staunton in Hello, Dolly in the same theatre for example who is beloved in the UK and was just in the Crown. The crowds outside are insane at the moment. 

Also goes without saying that sales are much, much stronger than Nicole in Sunset was in London too. 

Every sign is telling them they have the magic ingredients. The only thing working against it is an extremely loud and annoying crowd of toxic online people (who I assume are not the target market for this anyway) who are trying to persecute Rachel for some of the things she says and work she has been involved in. 

The NYPOST are also absurd the way they even comment on her in Evita as if it her decision:  

“Rachel Zegler faces backlash for performing musical’s hit scene on outside balcony — as paying fans inside watch on livestream  

“Snow White” star Rachel Zegler has sparked controversy yet again, this time with her West End stage debut.

The actress, 24, stars as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s new production of “Evita” at the London Palladium in the UK. ”

Toxic toxic toxic toxic culture. 

 

[Skywalker3]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 4:48am

Also, in the comments people are writing things like
'Does she have fans'
'Who?'
'Why not do it for the 5 people in the audience'

Typical case of misogyny. While it is doing super well and many fans are attracted to it.

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 5:56am

WldKingdomHM said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "“According to a poster onthe west end theatreboard, Evita might transfer to the St James this season. ”


That’s great! Except another show literally has it booked…"

Do u think the show coming into the St James will survive ? I give it three months"

There's been a lot of talk about how ALW won't want this coming in this season if Cats The Jellicle Ball is coming in so they won't compete but I suspect Tim Rice, Evita's lyricist, would prefer it comes in next season too because of Chess.

Given how stacked Broadway is with revivals this season you'd think they would want a bit of clear air and if it was me (but hey what do I know?), given some of the similarities between Jamie Lloyd's productions of Sunset Blvd and Evita maybe it would help them if there was a season separating them so it wouldn't seem as repetitive for some. 

Updated On: 6/20/25 at 05:56 AM

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 6:52am

But the upside to coming in this season would be specific theatre availability (which they'll need for the balcony, they can't be as flexible) and riding the Sunset Tony success and potential hype from London if it continues. The viral nature of the balcony will have significantly dimmed in two years too, as all social media stuff does. The balcony is a bigger viral moment than the Sunset walk ever was.

Being so similar to Sunset it's not going to seem as fresh and original, so the revival Tony chances may not be so high regardless. 

Better to strike while the iron is hot and you can have your theatre and your leading lady and all the interest from the Tony's for Sunset

The campaign against Rachel is toxic I agree, but i have to say her fandom are pretty toxic themselves. She has some almost unhinged fans. Don't know what it is about Rachel that triggers such extreme reactions either way.

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 7:02am

As for the balcony bit in New York, that'll be tricky. I can't imagine them scrapping that bit (although they should but I don't want to be a broken record on that) but if you look at the crowd just last night - six shows in - it's MASSIVE. They'd need to block traffic off for the entire block 8x a week for a few hours. Is that even possible? Here in London, the Palladium isn't on a main road so there's no problems like that with the set up and I'm curious if that was the main attraction for them taking this theatre instead of any other West End house. But Broadway is totally different. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 8:06am

binau said: "
“Snow White” star Rachel Zeglerhas sparked controversy yet again, this time with her West End stage debut.

The actress, 24, stars as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s new production of “Evita” at the London Palladium in the UK. ”

Toxic toxic toxic toxic culture."

A lot of middle age men without real jobs made tons of money on YouTube making long videos sh..tting on 23 year old Rachel and every project she's been involved in. She'll mature and will learn to talk to media and ignore hate from her critics, but those despicable "journalists" have nowhehere to go but down.

[MezzA101]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 8:19am

Why Rachel Zegler Has London Raving About 'Evita' Stage-to-Street Show

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/rachel-zegler-london-palladium-balcony-evita-theater-lloyd-1236295616/

[Owen22]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 9:45am

DramaTeach said: "Do you think that could also be because of Rachel’s subpar acting? Saw her in R&J and WSS and wasn’t impressed with her performances in either. She has a beautiful voice, but that’s kinda it. I find her vacant otherwise."

Her acting in Evita is as on-point as her singing, hater.

[raddersons]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 10:28am

Never understood the Zegler hate, it always seemed like a conservative psyop 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 10:44am

raddersons said: "Never understood the Zegler hate, it always seemed like a conservative psyop"

She's an easy target: not a nepo baby, not afraid to voice her political opinions and of course, she's of mixed race. Her youth, talent and beauty in addition to all those other "unforgiveable" qualities cause a lot of hatred among conservatives and men in general. I didn't care for Rachel Zegler before that media vitriol against her, but now I'm all attention. Hatred campaigns like this should be studied, honestly.

[getatme]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 11:14am

smallvillefan16 said: "Anyone else think Ariana DeBrose will be offered Broadway if she's now available? Rachel is a very talented singer but I can't imagine American audiences clamoring to see her. She's one of the least liked actors in America--- Ariana is loved by the public and broadway."

The idea that Ariana Debose is loved by the public is pretty laughable when she can't even sell a movie. Loved by broadway, maybe take a look to see how many of her former co-stars posted about her Oscar nomination/win.

If/when this transfers, it will be Rachel. As it should be.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 11:32am

gibsons2 said: "r

 I didn't care for Rachel Zegler before that media vitriol against her, but now I'm all attention."

so you DO understand why people dont like her, because you yourself did not? 

I look fwd to her Evita, but its wild to watch the hive mind shift to worship of someone that has been totally unremarkable in almost everything shes ever done before, to the point that now anyone who voices less than praise is a "hater"

[Kad]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 1:04pm

Zegler was widely praised for West Side Story- and I thought she was excellent in it. She even managed to be the one consistently positively reviewed aspect of the doomed-from-the-start Snow White film. She doesn't have a huge acting resume at this point and she's still very early career, but it's a career that seems pretty darn promising so far. This production sounds like it has the potential to elevate her career substantially. 

Updated On: 6/20/25 at 01:04 PM

[Rentaholic2]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 1:17pm

Kad said: "Zegler was widely praised for West Side Story- and I thought she was excellent in it. She even managed to be the one consistently positively reviewed aspect of the doomed-from-the-start Snow White film. She doesn't have a huge acting resume at this point and she's still very early career, but it's a career that seems pretty darn promising so far. This production sounds like it has the potential to elevate her career substantially."

Wasn't she also well-reviewed in that hunger games thing, and didn't it do pretty well financially? 

I see a lot of parallels to Lea Michele in that she seems poised to silence a lot of her haters and reclaim her narrative by giving a performance for the ages and tearing through a beast of a score in a very satisfying way. (not saying the source of the hate or the fairness of it is at all the same between the two).  

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 1:43pm

everythingtaboo said: "Is it spoilery to ask how Che ends up in his briefs covered in paint at the end?"

Is it also spoilery to ask how Don't Cry for Me looks from the audience inside? Like just a big screen comes down? Does it look like a livestream? It is enhanced to look like footage back in the day?

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 2:14pm

Rentaholic2 said: "Kad said: "Zegler was widely praised for West Side Story- and I thought she was excellent in it. She even managed to be the one consistently positively reviewed aspect of the doomed-from-the-start Snow White film. She doesn't have a huge acting resume at this point and she's still very early career, but it's a career that seems pretty darn promising so far. This production sounds like it has the potential to elevate her career substantially."

Wasn't she also well-reviewed in that hunger games thing, and didn't it do pretty well financially?

I see a lot of parallels to Lea Michele in that she seems poised to silence a lot of her haters and reclaim her narrative by giving a performance for the ages and tearing through a beast of a score in a very satisfying way. (not saying the source of the hate or the fairness of it is at all the same between the two)."

a lot of the social media hatred and assumptions made about Lea pre date any discussion about work place behaviour and comes from either fans of other glee cast members who were mad Lea was the female lead of the show  and not  their favourite and so automatically hated her, people who were incapable of separating her from the character she played , and people who just hated her for her looks or other random reasons.  

I do see parallels with Rachel in some of the misdirected hatred ( and again,  this is quite separate to past work place allegations about Lea although, as the likes of Kevin McHale and others have said, even some of that has been blown out of proportion on social media to what actually happened,  mostly by those previously mentioned) aimed at her for either a character she's played  that people dont like or think she shouldnt have played, their perceptions of who they think she is vs who she actially is and that the media see her as easy click bait and so they have pushed a narrative about her that brings easy clicks, and thus we get tabloids blaming Rachel for  creative decisions Jamie Lloyd has made re the balcony  in Evita.

Rachel is also about the age Lea was when she hit big and the tabloid media and some people in general seem to love to pick a young female performer to direct their ire at , see also Anne Hathaway when she was younger, but these things have gotten worse since social media became ubiquitous and rumours get spread around so easily without people stopping to separate the reality from what people with agendas want others to think.

there were false rumours circling of Rachel causing problems in rehearsals when other people saw her happily interacting with her colleagues.  people will happily jump on a narrative if it suits their bias.

 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 6/20/25 at 2:44pm

Rachel had the unfortunate combination of being a lead in a Disney remake while being Latina and having an opinion that would give internet chuds revenue on their little YouTube channels that made its way to other more traditional (but just as trash) outlets like the NY Post.