Posted: 8/26/25 at 9:26am
It is not unusual that a new generation of people discover some existing work that others have been fans of for a long time. So it has always been. So it likely will always be.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 9:27am
That clip is a great example of theatre types doing Evita. But Rachel Z in Jamie Lloyd Evita is like a Michael Jackson live tour or something much different. It’s literally a different type of entertainment/vibe. A kind of stadium pop concert tour with Evita as the written material.
I don’t think you got/liked Sunset either (or even Nicole if I recall). Whereas for me these are the greatest theatrical experiences I’ve ever had. I don’t see it as dumbing down but the complete opposite. We are on completely different planets about this - you don’t seem to ‘get it’. That’s fine, there are always going to be more traditional interpretations again in future.
Updated On: 8/26/25 at 09:27 AM
Posted: 8/26/25 at 9:35am
"there have been better productions before" ok???.... Those other production aren't currently running, so that is irrelevant...if you want to see Evita in London, this is your option.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 9:50am
binau said: "It’s literally a different type of entertainment/vibe.
That’s fine, there are always going to be more traditional interpretations again in future."
I don't think you can dismiss that as "just a bunch of theatre types". If anything, Rachel Zegler is the epitome of a theatre type.
Many actresses who played Evita are much less standard theatre sounding than Zegler and made it sound more like rock concerts.
Updated On: 8/26/25 at 09:50 AM
Posted: 8/26/25 at 9:58am
Rachel Zegler eludes a list pop star X factor. That is most certainly not a ‘theatre type’. Idk but I don’t want to keep arguing we both have said what we think. I kind of feel this would be like if I wasted time arguing over why I think the Jamie Lloyd Sunset is better than the 2017 Glenn Close. There is a point where the work, reaction to it (and eventually awards) all speak for themselves. So I feel I don’t need to anymore. For Evita, audiences are going crazy in a way I haven’t seen in my 25 years of theatre going. Let’s see what happens in New York.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 10:02am
binau said: "Idk but I don’t want to keep arguing we both have said what we think.
For Evita, audiences are going crazy in a way I haven’t seen in my 25 years of theatre going. Let’s see what happens in New York."
You're right, let's respect each other's point of view and it's great that we can enjoy things in our own way. In any case, I'm not surprised that audiences love the score because it's great.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 11:02am
binau said: "Rachel Zegler eludes a list pop star X factor. That is most certainly not a ‘theatre type’. Idk but I don’t want to keep arguing we both have said what we think. I kind of feel this would be like if I wasted time arguing over why I think the Jamie Lloyd Sunset is better than the 2017 Glenn Close. There is a point where the work, reaction to it (and eventually awards) all speak for themselves. So I feel I don’t need to anymore. For Evita, audiences are going crazy in a way I haven’t seen in my 25 years of theatre going. Let’s see what happens in New York."
I am excited to see this production given my love of the material, but I don't think anyone can make an argument that this is a good production of Evita when so many people are leaving the theater with no comprehension of the story. If the story isn't clear the director has failed to do their job, no matter how thrilling the experience is.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 11:04am
Has the story ever been all that clear, though? I rewatched the movie a few years ago with friends who had never seen it and they had absolutely no idea what was happening.
I do think Evita requires a little bit of homework.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 11:11am
TotallyEffed said: "Has the story ever been all that clear, though? I rewatched the movie a few years ago with friends who had never seen it and they had absolutely no idea what was happening.
I do think Evita requires a little bit of homework."
Evita is the kind of show that encourages going down a Wikipedia rabbit hole. I saw the movie when I was 13 or so and I got the gist, but I still had questions and tried to find out "what did that part mean?" I'm not saying Lloyd's direction is beyond reproach, I haven't seen it, but I think not understanding the political/historical context is baked into the piece.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 8:01pm
SeanD2 said: "I am excited to see this production given my love of the material, but I don't think anyone can make an argument that this is a good production of Evita when so many people are leaving the theater with no comprehension of the story."
I saw Daniel Fish's Oklahoma in London a few times; there were people who thought Curley and Laurey had died at the end despite the fact that they had the gun pointed at another guy, who then layed down on the ground and didn't speak again after.
There were a lot of people who left JL's Sunset Blvd, not understanding the plot. On at least one occasion, I saw someone in front of me reading the plot on Wikipedia at intermission.
Sometimes, people just miss stuff. Or they aren't paying attention. That being said, I wouldn't be opposed to a couple of script changes/additions, ala what JL did in Sunset-- adding an occasional spoken line to clarify things, if appropriate. I do think the majority of the work is done here, though. I loved the show and thought the concept was very strong and well executed.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 8:13pm
SeanD2 said: "binau said: "Rachel Zegler eludes a list pop star X factor. That is most certainly not a ‘theatre type’. Idk but I don’t want to keep arguing we both have said what we think. I kind of feel this would be like if I wasted time arguing over why I think the Jamie Lloyd Sunset is better than the 2017 Glenn Close. There is a point where the work, reaction to it (and eventually awards) all speak for themselves. So I feel I don’t need to anymore. For Evita, audiences are going crazy in a way I haven’t seen in my 25 years of theatre going. Let’s see what happens in New York."
I am excited to see this production given my love of the material, but I don't think anyone can make an argument that this is a good production of Evita when so many people are leaving the theater with no comprehension of the story. If the story isn't clear the director has failed to do their job, no matter how thrilling the experience is."
If people are leaving the theatre with no comprehension of what they saw, that just proves how many absolute morons are currently roaming the face of the earth. This show is not rocket science. Maybe they should print the plot of the story in the program just like they did for the idiots who were too stupid to comprehend Les Miserables.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 9:25pm
I agree with Matt. I can't speak for the current London production. I saw the original Broadway production when I was 17. I knew little about Eva Peron and nothing about Che. I walked out knowing more than when I walked in. Understood the whole show. Understood the show again when I saw the Broadway revival. I mean, the story is right there in the Lyrics. In my opinion, it is pretty hard not to follow the story unless you are not paying attention or are "distracted" in some way during the performance.
Posted: 8/26/25 at 9:28pm
SeanD2 said:
I am excited to see this production given my love of the material, but I don't think anyone can make an argument that this is a good production of Evita when so many people are leaving the theater with no comprehension of the story. If the story isn't clear the director has failed to do their job, no matter how thrilling the experience is."
SO many people is incorrect. They are FEW in number. It's not hard to understand. Our whole group understood it many of which who didn't have any connection to it. It's the best production I've seen. It's coming in. Not if - but when. And the Webber / Loyd scuffle rumors are not true. Don't worry.
Posted: 8/27/25 at 6:30pm
Matt Rogers said: "If people are leaving the theatre with no comprehension of what they saw, that just proves how many absolute morons are currently roaming the face of the earth. This show is not rocket science."
I think JL is the reason why people don't understand it anymore. For example, in "A New Argentina" Eva is a business woman, politically steering the people, convincing them why to vote for Peron, explaining the political benefits, while cunningly playing him, which is brilliantly written, like a psychological thriller. Having her strut around in nothing but a leather Bra and boots with some stomping and dazed street dancers trying to be sexy and cool is not it. Also, Peron doesn't look or behave like a leader at all in that scene. What is the audience supposed to think when they see a submissive half naked boy and a k-pop imitation?
Updated On: 8/27/25 at 06:30 PM
Posted: 8/27/25 at 9:31pm
Never mind…
Updated On: 8/28/25 at 09:31 PM
Posted: 8/30/25 at 11:08am
So I guess we’re all in agreement that this production of Evita will not be coming to Broadway anytime soon?
Posted: 8/30/25 at 11:33am
If you think peron is a ‘half naked boy’ I don’t think you really get it. Look closely at the physical differences between Rachel, Diego and the Peron. Jamie knows what he is doing here. It’s very visual. It’s very sexually charged. There is unspoken sexual domination happening. I know that sounds strange but it’s like you really don’t actually understand the choices being made at times.
Posted: 8/30/25 at 12:00pm
malcs98 said: "So I guess we’re all in agreement that this production of Evita will notbe coming to Broadway anytime soon?"
It’s so odd. When I saw this at the beginning of the run, I was told even then yes this is on track to come to New York. Ever since then (ignore the non stop posts on every forum speculating about what theater it would take) with the show being the toast of the West End and talked about around the world, talk of it coming here has really softened and people I talk to have stopped hearing NY plans.
Now that’s not to say it couldn’t announce it at next week’s closing show but it’s strange to me that unlike with “Sunset” it’s gone from “This will absolutely come to Broadway” to “Who the hell knows” so fast.
Posted: 8/30/25 at 12:02pm
malcs98 said: "So I guess we’re all in agreement that this production of Evita will notbe coming to Broadway anytime soon?"
It probably will be come next season rather than this spring.
Posted: 8/30/25 at 12:11pm
Bwaygurl2 said: "It probably will be come next season rather than this spring."
Yeah that’s what I’m thinking. I’m remaining cautiously optimistic about it coming early next season, but regardless I hope it comes soon (especially after the rumors that ALW & JL are in a bit of a disagreement)
Posted: 8/30/25 at 12:12pm
No plans to come to NYC until end of 2026. Ends in London next week.
Posted: 8/30/25 at 12:15pm
KrupYou said: "No plans to come to NYC until end of 2026. Ends in London next week."
It’s funny I actually heard a rumor that they were indefinitely postponing plans to come to NYC, but I guess that rumor isn’t true…so I guess I’ll settle for it coming fall/winter 2026
Updated On: 8/30/25 at 12:15 PM
Posted: 8/30/25 at 12:23pm
If indeed it doesn’t come then that would really be a frightening sign of an unhealthy Bway. If any show looked to be a perfect transfer, this appears to be it.
And selfishly, since I couldn’t get to London this summer, I’ll personally be annoyed. Hopefully it’s just taking the JELLICLE BALL approach and coming when ALW is good and ready, without rush.
Posted: 8/30/25 at 12:32pm
BJR said: "If indeed it doesn’t come then that would really be a frightening sign of an unhealthy Bway. If any show looked to be a perfect transfer, this appears to be it.
And selfishly, since I couldn’t get to London this summer, I’ll personally be annoyed. Hopefully it’s just taking the JELLICLE BALL approach and coming when ALW is good and ready, without rush."
while yes I am excited for Jellicle Ball, aren’t we already seeing frightening signs of an unhealthy Broadway *cough* Scott Rudin returning *cough* casino proposal in Times Square
Posted: 8/30/25 at 1:03pm
The Rudin thing is a whole different can of worms. lol
But it’s one thing for shows to try out in London because it’s cheaper there now, but it’s another for successful prods to not transfer because Broadway is so prohibitive without a movie star.
