Mark Elich, left, and Rachel Shannon play Che Guevara and Eva Peron, respectively, in the UTC Theatre production of “Evita.”UTC student Rachel Shannon will bring to life a legendary figure in Argentine politics when the UTC Theatre Company debuts “Evita” next week. The acclaimed musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice charts the desperate and salacious rags-to-riches rise of Eva Peron, the first lady of Argentina.
It will be presented in the UTC Fine Arts Center in five performances Tuesday through Saturday, April 19-23.
Marked by rich music, memorable pageantry and cynical commentary by the narrator/revolutionary Che Guevara (played by Mark Elich), the musical follows Evita’s journey from impoverished child to movie actress to political leader to saint-like icon.
“Hopefully this show will feel like a big, dark pageant that doesn’t lose sight of Eva Peron’s humanity – her struggle to overcome incredible odds, sometimes at others’ expense,” says director Steve Ray.
“In addition to beautiful costumes and sets, this show will feature historical footage. I hope this will help the truth of Evita’s life seem more palpable. This is the story of a real person with huge ambitions and a desperate need to be loved. Even if audience members are not familiar with Eva Peron’s story, they will be able to understand everything. Her life was filled with unbelievable plot twists.”