Jamie Lloyd-helmed EVITA revival to play the London Palladium in 2025- Page 25

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/24/25 at 8:55pm

Rachel was replaced by Bella (alternate Eva) during intermission at this evening’s performance. She has looked quite run down in recent paparazzi photos on “Rachel Zegler fan account” Instagram accounts so it seems the constant “on” has taken it out of her which is understandable.

Obviously singing beyond capacity could cause serious harm so there’ll be caution needed ahead of a full weekend, and no doubt the production will want her back ASAP. 

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 08:55 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/24/25 at 9:18pm

theatergoer3 said: "Voter said: "theatergoer3 said: "Either they pre-bought or an announcement is soon. I’m back to guessing West End closing night now that Sunset had closed."
Wdym pre-bought??"
the url so no one else could."

Pretty standard practice. I wouldn't be surprised if ALW has similar URLs parked for all his shows. Same with other rightsholders. It's cheap to hold them but annoying -- and possibly expensive -- if you can't get the URL you want.

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 7/24/25 at 10:52pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "Rachel was replaced by Bella (alternate Eva) during intermission at this evening’s performance. She has looked quite run down in recent paparazzi photos on fan Instagram accounts so it seems the constant “on” has taken it out of her which is understandable.

Obviously singing beyond capacity could cause serious harm so there’ll be caution needed ahead of a full weekend, and no doubt the production will want her back ASAP."

I was at the show yesterday, and I stage doored. Her bodyguard announced that she wasn't signing programs to rest her voice. She sounded really good during that show, maybe a tad tired compared to when I saw it the first time? But that's only in retrospect knowing that she called out today. 

One small example form yesterday was that she opted for the lower version of "Stand back, Buenos Aires!" at the end of Buenos Aires. Whereas when I went to see it the first time, she opted up like Lupone, Paige, Covington, etc.... 

Hoping Zegler feels better soon! 

 

[binau]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 2:40am

As Broadway fans, we tend to get precious at the idea of someone needing an 'alternate' but Evita feels like an obvious example where it would make sense to always have one and from the beginning of the run. I don't think anyone should be trying to sing this score twice a day. Hope Rachel is back soon!

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 2:51am

binau said: "As Broadway fans, we tend to get precious at the idea of someone needing an 'alternate' but Evita feels like an obvious example where it would make sense to always have one and from the beginning of the run. I don't think anyone should be trying to sing this score twice a day. Hope Rachel is back soon!"

 You're right, it's a helluva sing for anyone. Even Patti and Elena Roger had alternates for matinees. Maybe due to the limited run of this production, they thought Rachel could power through -- still not a great plan, for this exact reason! 

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 02:51 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 8:47am

Even Patti and Elena Roger had alternates for matinees.

The matinee alternate in EVITA has always been the standard. It started with the original London production. A few months into Elaine Paige’s run she found the role was getting tough to do 8 times a week so Harold Prince had Susannah Fellows take over for the matinees. It became part of the musical’s DNA ever since. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 9:17am

This production also has Eva moving almost non stop for two hours, it’s got to be exhausting even for a 24 year old (not to mention twice a day on matinee days). From the first time I saw it, I thought it was insane she didn’t have an alternate go on one day a week, we knew it would be unsustainable. I hope they adjust it for the remainder of the run, for her. 

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 09:17 AM

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 11:26am

Now that you mention it, I can't think of when she gets a break during the show. 

Hopefully a once weekly alternate will be the lesson for a Broadway transfer. Did Nicole have one at the Savoy? Or was that a Broadway thing?

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 11:30am

C4b2a3b said: "Now that you mention it, I can't think of when she gets a breakduring the show.

Hopefully a once weekly alternate will be the lesson for a Broadway transfer. Did Nicole have oneat the Savoy? Or was that a Broadway thing?"

Rachel Tucker did eventually take over for one performance a week. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 11:30am

This role had an alternate 40+ years ago, why are we not listening to the past when you already know the demands of it?

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 11:49am

There’s definitely a tiredness in her eyes in photo 3 of this post that you can see even from the side when you zoom in. Poor thing. No sarcasm at all. She’s been running at 110% no doubt. 
 

https://www.reddit.com/r/TheWestEnd/s/NUmcYFDrsy

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 11:53am

BorisTomashevsky said: "There’s definitely a tiredness in her eyes in photo 3 of this post that you can see even from the side when you zoom in. Poor thing. No sarcasm at all. She’s been running at 110% no doubt.


https://www.reddit.com/r/TheWestEnd/s/NUmcYFDrsy"

 

Tired? Eva tired?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 12:02pm

I said this about SUNSET too, but the challenge for actors with Jamie Lloyd productions is they are so exposed. There aren't bells and whistles to hide behind. A staging like that relies even more heavily on the actor than a traditional production of the show. You've also got cameras in your face for parts of the show, it's not like you can hide behind the "20 foot rule." It's part of what made Nicole & Tom's performances so impressive.

Remember, Zegler also hasn't been in a stage musical since high school. I'm sure she's learning how to get through this run and how to pace herself as it goes along, and things may be different by the time it gets to New York. (In New York, she'll probably also have a contract that's 3-4x as long as in London, a whole different type of challenge.)

If she's not exhausted by curtain call time there's something wrong!

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 12:02 PM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 12:20pm

I've been wondering what it's like for young actors especially to take on the 8x a week performance when they're cast in a lead role, like how do they make sure they can handle it for the run? I assume they have vocal coaches to make sure they're keeping their voice as healthy as they can but it's a taxing schedule even for more seasoned performers, so I was also surprised that Bella Brown only had a few performances and wasn't a more regular alternate.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 12:34pm

Rachel is expected back in the show tonight (Friday).

https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/evita-confirms-rachel-zegler-is-scheduled-to-perform-as-planned-after-mid-show-exit_1688337/

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 12:34 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 1:56pm

chrishuyen said: "I've been wondering what it's like for young actors especially to take on the 8x a week performance when they're cast in a lead role, like how do they make sure they can handle it for the run? I assume they have vocal coaches to make sure they're keeping their voice as healthy as they can but it's a taxing schedule even for more seasoned performers, so I was also surprised that Bella Brown only had a few performances and wasn't a more regular alternate."

It’s certainly a gamble but that’s one reason why shows often gravitate towards performers who have worked at this level before. “The devil you know” etc. Actors have voice coaches, PT, wellness things, etc. to help them get through 8 shows, but it’s still challenging even for the most seasoned performers. Audra in Gypsy is another example…I don’t know how she was doing that 8x a week. 

[KrupYou]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 4:48pm

there is a hilarious spoof of a jamie directed production of annie floating aroun online....very funny. worth a google search. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 5:10pm

C4b2a3b said: "
One small example form yesterday was that she opted for the lower version of "Stand back, Buenos Aires!" at the end of Buenos Aires. Whereas when I went to see it the first time, she opted up like Lupone, Paige, Covington, etc....

Hoping Zegler feels better soon!

I believe the lyric you are referring to is "Just a little touch of star quality!" 

On the Premiere American Recording, LuPone sings that line in a lower register, but on stage, she sang it in the higher register, as is evident from the footage I've seen of the Broadway production. LuPone also sings it in the higher register for the production's television ads.

I'm glad Rachel is on the mend and will perform tonight.

 

 

Updated On: 7/26/25 at 05:10 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 5:27pm

It totally slipped my attention that Rachel doesn't have an alternate. Is that a first? Is it because it's only a limited engagement? It's impressive that she's been playing the role for six weeks and has only missed one performance (a pre-scheduled absence) plus the mid-show switch last night. Her attendance was pretty strong in Romeo + Juliet too, although she did miss a few shows over the course of the run. I assume there will be an alternate if this has an open-ended run on Broadway.

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 5:31pm

CarlosAlberto said: "I believe the lyric you are referring to is "Just a little tough of star quality!"

On the Premiere American Recording, LuPone sings that line in a lower register, but on stage, she sang it in the higher register, as is evident from the footage I've seen of the Broadway production. LuPone also sings it in the higher register for the production's television ads.

I'm glad Rachel is on the mend and will perform tonight.

 

"

What an interesting promo! Patti's look at the end is almost creepy. 

Sorry, I wasn't very clear about what I mean, but I'm talking about 2:15 in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6NkRBIl8UM

One night Zegler opted up like in this video and the other night I went (two days ago 7/23) she opted for the lower version. 

Even though this thread about the London revival, watching this video again reminds me that Patti's version is so thrilling! Her belt at 1:17 is incredible. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 5:33pm

Bella is indeed the alternate but I believe she’s scheduled to perform every second Monday. 

Carlos, the “Stand back” lyric is also taken up about a fifth (someone else will know for sure) and the notes have been lengthened so it’s less staccato and now a legato “Staaand Baa-aack!”

(Sorry C4b, just saw you posted a link to that moment. Patti does sound brilliant in that clip.)

Updated On: 7/25/25 at 05:33 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 5:52pm

BorisTomashevsky said: "Bella is indeed the alternate but I believe she’s scheduled to performevery second Monday."

Thanks, I see that now. Considering that the standard in the past has been two performances a week, it's still surprising to see an alternate only scheduled to go on four times over the course of the run. It sounds like Bella's great so no one should be disappointed if they get her!

[morosco]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 6:39pm

Rachel Zegler abruptly exits ‘Evita’ performance mid-show — and understudy receives standing ovation

The actress, 24, who is starring in "Evita" at the London Palladium on the West End, abruptly left the evening performance due to illness.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/25/25 at 6:58pm

Still no cast album news?

[ajh]

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

Although the role of Eva has traditionally always had an alternate, Samantha Pauly who played it when Jamie Lloyd’s first version of this production was at London’s Regents Park Open Air Theatre back in 2019, didn’t have one. That said, she missed a number of performances in what was a shorter run than this Palladium one, including the second half of the very last show, when her understudy had to take over for act two (ring any bells?!) 

With the quite significant changes to the staging and the choreo, the role is even more strenuous now than it was then, but my God, does Rachel nail every aspect of it. Maybe Bella should be doing more than four scheduled shows but the problem I guess they have now is that the show is so heavily sold at every performance that if they contact ticketholders in advance to tell them Rachel is off at extra shows all hell is likely to break loose. Apparently Bella is sensational as well but it’s Rachel’s face on all the new ads.