Born Irwin Michnick, Mitch Leigh, a musical theatre composer, wrote a song for the musical Man of La Mancha that emulates the actual life of Eva Peron. The song, The Impossible Dream. 

“To dream the impossible dream. 

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

And to run where the brave dare not go 

To right the unrightable wrong 

And to love pure and chaste from afar 

To try when your arms are to weary

To reach the unreachable star.” 

This was the quest of a young peasant Argentina girl called Eva Perón, who went from living a penury life to becoming the First Lady of Argentina. 

Drury Lane’s Evita is a historical story about Eva Perón’s life, who fought for the working-class people of Argentina by using her popularity, beauty, and powers of men in politics to help lower-class Argentinians live equal to the socialities. Through the narration of Che, we witness Eva rising from poverty, promiscuous lifestyle, climbing her way up the social ladder, to becoming the wife of President Juan Perón. Eva’s popularity grows, and she becomes a political leader to the people, giving back through charity work that troubles men in power, the social elites, and even her new husband, Juan Perón.   

Evita starts with a group practicing their dance routine, which is abruptly interrupted by the startling and heartbreaking news that Eva Perón has perished. The nation went into a mourning period as Che, singing “Oh What A Circus,” seems angered by the tribute given to Eva, who did nothing for years. 

Evita reflects on 1934, a young girl named Eva Duarte longs for a better life. Eva falls for a tango singer and begs to go to Buenos Aires. Once there, she plans to use her beauty to climb the social ladder, becoming a model, radio star, and actress. 

Then, she meets another ambitious person, Colonel Juan Perón. Drury’s adaptation of Eva’s and Juan’s rise to power is symbolized through the drums of battle on stage, depicting Perón’s defeat over other would-be leaders. Finally, Eva tells Juan (“I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You”) and dismisses his mistress using the adorable musical score, “Another Suitcase in Another Hall.” They join and become influential political figures that eventually get them both wanted power.  

The storyline stays faithful to the original with Eva, struggles with the Elite, and men in power upset with her fame. After receiving news that she is dying, Eva, who the people of Argentina want to run for Vice President, tells them she will not pursue this position they persuaded her to accept. Instead, she pledges her eternal love in what became her final broadcast. 

So will argue that Eva’s achievements will constantly battle against her choices as to how she rose to popularity and if her fame trashed the goodwill, she provided for the people of Argentina. But few had much influence on Argentine politics and changed history like Eva Duarte Perón.  

María Eva Duarte de Perón was 33 years old when she died of cancer, and the story of this brave young girl who was raised from rags to riches to become the Joan of Arc of Argentina is a powerful reminder that we should never give up on our dreams. 

She founded and ran the charitable Eva Perón Foundation, championed women’s suffrage in Argentina, and improved the poor’s lives. Historians recount that embalmers perfectly preserve her body which disappeared for years. After being discovered, they buried the remains of Eva Perón in a Milan cemetery under a false name. 

Director and Choreographer Marica Milgrom Dodge stayed with the music and lyrics of Andrew Lloyd Webber and playwright Tim Rice, rock opera concept successfully featured in Jesus Christ Superstar and used in Evita. And, of course, no Evita musical could be taken seriously without the featured songs of Webber and Rice’s “Don’t Cry for Me.

They also provide tear-jerking moments, where the young Eva (Nina Poulimas) walks on stage as the dying Eva asks the question, where do we go from here, as she sings, “You Must Love Me.” 

Then another tearful scene where the young Eva graciously opens her arms to accept the dying Eva. 

The actors and singing were excellent, featuring Michelle Aravena as Evita. Richard Bermudez was awesome; Che and those adorable kids (Presley Rose Jones, Levi Merol, Aaliyah Montana, and Peyton Wilson) singing on stage almost stole the show. The set, which seems drabbed at first sight, actually blended nicely with the production, as did the 50’s style Argentinian clothing. Unfortunately, some awkward high pitch notes were out of tone from Tim Rice’s lyrics, making hearing the words to the song hard to hear. 

Evita provides a powerful message that the greatest love we share is eternal love for each other. 

Let’s Play Recommends Evita at The Drury Lane Theatre

Drury Lane Theatre

EVITA

Director & Choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge

With Music and Lyrics By Tim Rice By Andrew Lloyd Webber

January 28 – March 20, 2022