Photo Flash: First Look at EVITA's Stars - Ricky Martin, Elena Roger & Michael Cerveris; Previews Start March 12- Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 1:48pm

She does wear a red curly wig in the beginning of the show. And Ricky already dye's his hair blond

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 1:51pm

Great, then we're all set for this production.

Updated On: 10/27/11 at 01:51 PM

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 1:57pm

Her first wig is black...?

I for one love the photoshoot and think they all look great.

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 2:00pm

"Saying Elena Rogers is Argentinian is like saying Gisele BUNDCHEN is Brazilian. Bundchen's blue eyed family has lived in Brazil for generations but they are German. Native South Americans DO NOT have blue eyes my dear."

Well then, by your standards then, most of us is really American, is that right? Because Native Americans are the ONLY Americans. (Despite the fact we're a nation of immigrants, not unlike Argentina. My family has only been here for a few generations on one side, does that mean I'm not truly American???)

Ms. Roger is Argentinian, identifying herself as such. She is clearly of mixed background-as I pointed out before many Argentinians (including Evita) are. Argentina developed very differently from the rest of South America, which is why there is such an amalgamation of cultures and nationalities that make up the identity of Argentinian.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 2:01pm

Her first wig is dark brown and like the other Eva's goes through the color modulations before becoming the platinum blond. She has the curly red wig around "Good Night and Thank You"

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 2:32pm

Why is the guy from Menudo staring at Daddy Warbucks & Blossom?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 2:34pm

Why does she bother changing wigs? I'd rather see a version that is less concerned with duplicating period detail than using the story and situations as a political allegory

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 2:34pm

Would that I could shop a Blossom hat onto Elena's head.

But Ricky Martin is giving the sidiest side-eye I've ever seen.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 2:36pm

"Why is the guy from Menudo staring at Daddy Warbucks & Blossom?"

... madbrian for the win!

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 2:51pm

I think it's funny to read so often the argument that Elena Roger is "authentically" Argentinian and how much she looks and behaves like the "real Evita," and yet we have Mr. Clean opposite her as Juan Peron and some how it's "Shakespearianly" justified.

Okay.

Last time I checked, MB, there weren't any known photos of Julius Caesar or Cleopatra or Richard III for reference. No cameras. They were just a bit before Kodak came around. The Perons, however, were world figures, icons--photographed, painted, and sculpted almost as much as the Beatles were in their day. But the people buying tickets now, the unwashed masses, won't be able to find poor Juan on the Interwebs. No photos exist! And none of them have smart phones or computers, poor things. They'll only care enough to pay $250 a ticket, but not to know anything about what they're seeing. So it's fine if he looks like Daddy Warbucks or Harpo Marx or Tevye. Or even Eva, for that matter.

Updated On: 10/27/11 at 02:51 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 3:05pm

I saw Evita the first time it was on Broadway. There was such a media blitz around the show that by the time I went to the theater, I knew exactly what the Perons looked like. And this was back before the internet and we only had channels 2,4,5,7,9, 11 and we didn't even get 13. And the picture wasn't in HD, we had to twist the antenna to make sure that images of Evita didn't make her look like she had white, fuzzy hair.

Plus the original production dared to use actual film footage of the Perons, so if you didn't know what they looked like before the show, you found out during the show.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 3:21pm

I understand your points Best12, I just personally don't believe its important to recreate photo-realism in a musical like EVITA which in itself is a fantasy combining characters and situations that are total exposition in theatrical conceit. Its just a matter of artistic preference; I'm sure there are many theatre goers who would agree with what you say 100%, and would find it distracting if they know the realities of what these characters actually looked like (though I would argue if they actually knew the true story of the Perons they would probably be equally distracted by the musical's totally inaccurate representations of history).

My personal belief is that theatre should purposefully avoid that trap of realism. Totally my bias.

I would argue, Goth, to hit on what you mention in the post above, that if (and this revival doesn't) the production used actual footage of the real Perons, that is all the reason more why its NOT necessary to costume the actors to be carbon copies and to instead explore the allegorical quality of the work.

When EVITA was written it was a statement on the British politics of the 1970s (complete with Margaret Thatcher power struggles). EVITA today in a political enviornment where we are actually seeing female Vice Presidential candidates and other women in politics facing a lot of the scrutiny the character of Eva faces in the musical *could* for my money be a much more interesting theatrical playing ground for this musical rather then just seeing a photo=realistic docu-drama.

Nobody is wrong here - its just a matter of personal artistic tastes.
Updated On: 10/27/11 at 03:21 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 3:27pm

There are basically two arguments going on here for the casting and physical appearance of the stars. And they're being mixed and matched at will for various points.

1) The audience is truly ignorant and happy to stay that way. They won't know what the Perons look like, poor devils. They will not even have heard of them. They will be guided as if by unseen forces to use their credit cards on the Internet while not Googling "Peron" as they charge up hundreds of dollars to see a musical about them on Broadway.

2) The audience is truly sophisticated. They'll understand and appreciate that, while Elena may not have the greatest singing voice, how authentic Ms. Roger is ... while simultaneously celebrating the non-traditional-looking-yet-talented Juan playing opposite this "genuine" Eva. They will merely chalk it up to Shakespearean casting and think nothing more about it.

I love utterly ignorant yet utterly sophisticated audiences. They come along so often. Just to prove points, usually.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 3:37pm

Best12, I'm not sure if that is directly aimed at me, but yes, I don't think most audience members today will know (without purposeful research) or especially care what the real Perons look like, and I think if the director does his job correctly they will go on whatever journey he asks his audience to go on, just as Hal Prince took huge risks in what he asked of his audience for the original production of EVITA.

I would actually (and sincerely) like to know the reasons why you think it is important that the actors resemble the actual historical people. You've mentioned that some will be distracted because of their knowledge of history but what else?

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 3:45pm

I think Eva should be able to sing.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 3:53pm

It wasn't aimed just at you, mb. It's a general comment that the arguments for casting here and mentioned elsewhere are contradictory, to say the least.

"I would actually (and sincerely) like to know the reasons why you think it is important that the actors resemble the actual historical people. You've mentioned that some will be distracted because of their knowledge of history but what else?"

That's it. It's the only reason. If the Perons had existed before photography I don't think it would be an issue, any more than casting a blond John Adams would freak the masses out. (Maybe just a little bit, but not much.)

Now, cast a Latina as Marilyn Monroe. Or a freckle-faced redhead as Paul McCartney. Or an African American as Amelia Earhart. They were photographed as much as the Perons were. See if you can have people concentrate on the performances rather than the appearances of the actors.

And to be honest, if you take away the "authenticity" of Elena Roger as Eva Peron, you take away the primary reason for casting her. There are many singer-actresses who can outshine her, particularly vocally. Part of the thrill, according to those who have seen her, is how uncanny she is in the part.

Updated On: 10/27/11 at 03:53 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 4:04pm

But isn't part of the challenge of theatre in the asking the audience to look beyond realism? I understand all your points and in perhaps another (more realistic) re-telling of the Peron story I might agree with you.

I think its always a slippery slope when an actor takes on a well known figure in any biography -whether on stage or on film, but I've come to believe there is a time in place for both ultra realism and complete symbolic interpretation (and perhaps something in between). To me the essence of Eva Peron isn't so much about her race or her heritage but her drive and charisma.

As someone who has seen Elena Roger, I can tell you (from my perspective anyway) the fact that she is Latin or from Argentina had nothing to do with what I found to be her great success in the role.

To me, her heritage was incidental; what Roger possesses on stage is the real Eva's unbelievable charisma, hunger, drive and star quality. That's what makes her special in the part. That's what makes us feel like we've truly seen the essence of this woman in the musical.

But even in the wig Elena Roger never really looked much like Eva, so I guess my total argument-for-argument sake is, what is really gained then in even trying to make her resemble the real Evita...

Updated On: 10/27/11 at 04:04 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 4:10pm

I was just listening to Roger's cast recording again today. And I'll say it again, her vocals are truly painful. Totally unlistenable. Her diction is beyond atrocious, and yes I know her accent is authentic. But how are audiences going to understand a word she sings? I know the lyrics, and it's still difficult to understand her on the cast album.

And yes, I know, people say she sounds "much better live!" But people also said that about Tyne Daly in Gypsy, but once you hear or see live footage of Daly, it's clear that her vocals are are almost exactly the same as on the cast recording.

I'll give Roger a chance this spring, but I'm not expecting much from her vocally. I just would love to hear a thrillingly sung Eva. But if people were able to give Douglas Hodge's vocals a pass in La Cage, I'm sure they will give Roger a pass too.

Updated On: 10/27/11 at 04:10 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 4:17pm

I would assume ljay, that the very least her diction five years later will be better. Apparently she learned the role almost phonetically, knowing very little English, when cast. It appears from interviews, her English has improved vastly living in London in the half-decade since. Her diction on the recordings from PASSION seems fine.

I agree her voice isn't pretty; and it wasn't pretty live. But it was thrilling and completely fearless. I've seen EVITA countless times - and definitely performed with better singers, but none with the kind of reckless abandon of Roger's performance, which was a way more exciting experience, ultimately, in my opinion.


Updated On: 10/27/11 at 04:17 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 4:19pm

ljay---not to threadjack here, but Tyne didn't sound much better live. I saw her in L.A. before the production transferred to Broadway, and her voice wasn't nearly as tired as it is on various recordings. She had a bit more energy then, but that's it. She still sang it as she sang it. She hit the notes musically and not much else. Seeing her live did make a huge difference, though, since it was her acting of both the songs and scenes that blew me away. She's still the best Rose I've ever seen, for that reason. I can only say "you had to be there."

And Rose, for example, is a "real" person, too. But because she wasn't photographed like a movie star and didn't have her own postage stamp, audiences can see and hear a wide variety of interpretations and accept it.

"But isn't part of the challenge of theatre in the asking the audience to look beyond realism?"

As I said before, MB, trying casting a Latina or African-American Marilyn Monroe or Amelia Earhart and see how far you get.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 4:38pm

I "was there" for Doug Hodge, after being told repeatedly prior to the show opening that his brilliant acting made up for the subpar singing. It didn't. It was yet another performance that was painful to sit through.

I expect the exact same thing to happen with Roger. And like Hodge, I'm sure her horrendous vocals will be given a pass. Maybe the alternate will be a strong singer.

I do find it interesting that some performers are raked over the coals for having vocal problems while playing a demanding role, yet others are forgiven for being unable to sing. Alice Ripley immediately comes to mind. It's no secret that her voice deteriorated during her long-run in next to normal, but her acting always remained thrilling. Yet, she was the subject of constant bashing here about the state of her voice.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 4:43pm

Isn't most of Argentina's population descended from white European Immigrants? I've always thought that that was the case, but if I'm wrong, and someone has and if someone can correct me with stats or facts, feel free to correct me. I always thought Argentinians were closer to the Spanish neighborhood of Latin than they were to say a Mexican or Puerto Rican, which I think are what Americans tend to think of when they think "Hispanic."

At any rate, as others have said, Elena Roger IS Argentinian, blue eyes be damned, so the complaints about her being somehow inauthentic because of her heritage seem to be the cries of people who will bitch about anything. I think she looks more like Eva Peron than Patti LuPone or Elaine Paige (who also has BLUE eyes!) ever did, but I've never really thought Evita hinged on the actress being a dead ringer for Eva Peron.

If this really mattered to anyone, wouldn't there be some complaining about the production of Evita starring Lauren Kennedy? (Unless that's what DontHate was saying? I can never really make out her posts. For someone who has "Don'tHate" in her name, she sure does a lot of nasty bitching)

I mean, it's not like Godspell of Jesus Christ Superstar, where care is always made to be sure Jesus is played by an Aramaic, or at least someone of Middle Eastern decent. I can only imagine the uproar on this board if someone every tried to cast a white Jesus!


Updated On: 10/27/11 at 04:43 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 4:45pm

Ripley's acting was always brilliant, but I think the difference here is that people were distressed by the fact that she was clearly performing through extreme vocal damage. That was a case in which people saw a once great singer trashing her voice and performing recklessly regardless of it.

The question of whether Hodge or Roger are able to successfully sing their roles is of course more a matter of personal tastes - Roger at least isn't a pretty singer but she's never had vocal problems singing the Evita score.

I'd be curious ljay and Greer what you think of Julie Covington. For years I hated that record because I thought Eva should be a diva singer's role, but I've come around (partly from seeing Roger, very much in Covington vocal mode on stage) to understand what Webber/Rice were going for in Covington's initial casting, and why I think for this revival they returned to that sound for the role.

For what is worth, I know that Roger's alternate Abbie Osmon supposedly had a very strong voice more in the LuPone mode but was poorly reviewed in comparison to Roger.







Updated On: 10/27/11 at 04:45 PM

[sassylash3s]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 5:24pm

From what I understand, 80-90% of the people of Argentina are of European descent, many of them from Spain or Italy. (I remember reading somewhere that the name "Perón" itself was a Hispanicized version of the Italian "Peroni.") Wikipedia says that Eva's parents were descended from Basque immigrants, which I can't seem to find a source for; considering the time and place, though, it's far from unlikely.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/27/11 at 6:20pm

I never really realized that I was in the vast minority here in that I love Elena Roger's voice and her portrayal of Eva Peron...