RSS 2.0 FeedAugust 17, 2011, Cover Stories, Theatre
"Evita" is "High Flying Adored"
Musical Theater Heritage scores another hit with the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice collaboration, "Evita." The three fine leads make this a show a must-see.
Off Center Theatre was nearly full last Saturday night for Musical Theater Heritage’s production of Evita, Lloyd Webber and Rice’s politically charged and passionate singspiel based on the life of Eva Perón, nicknamed Evita by the people of Argentina. Evita tells the story of Eva’s life from her relocation to Buenos Aires with tango singer Agustín Magaldi through her marriage to Colonel (later President) Juan Perón and her untimely death at age 33 from cervical cancer. She was upheld as a champion and advocate for the impoverished common people of Argentina, yet hated by the upper crust and military, perceived as taking advantage of Juan’s rank and position.
MTH has a knack for finding utterly talented actor-vocalists. In the lead role of Eva, mezzo-soprano Katie Karel triumphed. A strong vibrato enhanced her bright tone, giving her voice a 1940’s jazz singer vibe—perfect for this character and this show. Karel ably conveyed Eva’s multi-dimensional personality, at first confident and tenacious with “Buenos Aires” and “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” and later vulnerable and physically fading with the effectively bittersweet “Eva’s Final Broadcast.”
Leading men Tim Scott and Christopher Sanders also gave solid performances. With his charged energy and flexible voice, Scott was appropriately cynical and fervent as narrator Che, if at times over-the-top. He was exceptional leading “And the Money kept Rolling In” and with Sanders on “Rainbow Tour.” Sanders was commanding as the serious military officer Juan Perón. His deep, silky baritone blended well with Karel’s voice on their duet “Dice are Rolling/Eva’s Sonnet.”
The supporting cast held some gems as well, especially with Michael Dragen in his humorous and campy interpretation of tango singer Agustín Magaldi, the man with whom Eva moved to Buenos Aires to start her showbiz career. Dragen absolutely nailed Magaldi’s accent and style on his solo “On this Night of a Thousand Stars.” Aubrey Ireland held her own as Perón’s mistress, shooed away by Eva in “Another Suite in Another Hall.” Special kudos to the children’s choir and its soloist as well on “Santa Evita” and the tango dancers, which were wonderful touches.
A live orchestra is usually another highlight of MTH shows, especially the great rhythm section players they employ, however this particular night the musicians struggled with intonation issues, overpowering the singers and miscounting—unusual in an MTH show. With no real set to speak of, MTH wisely and creatively use minimal costumes and props with light choreography to enhance their ambitious “park n’ bark” performances. The lack of visual distractions helps the listeners lose themselves in the story and music.
Musical Theater Heritage’s Evita runs through August 28 at Off Center Theatre in Crown Center.
REVIEW:
Musical Theater Heritage
Evita
Off Center Theatre in Crown Center
August 11–28, 2011 (Reviewed August 13)
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO
For more information visit www.musicaltheaterheritage.com
Top Photo: Katie Karel as Evita (Photo by Sharon Harter)
Editorial Assignments Executive Editor; Traditional and New Classical Contributor
Kristin Shafel Omiccioli, a native of Madison, WI, holds composition degrees (M.M., B.M.) from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Kristin's compositions have been performed at national and regional new music festivals and conferences throughout the United States. During her time at UMKC, Kristin also focused on double bass performance and arts administration. She was a student leader and performer in many of the Conservatory's student organizations and ensembles, including Musica Nova, Composers' Guild, the Conservatory Student Association, the orchestras, and Wind Symphony. Her composition instructors were James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Zhou Long, and Chen Yi, and her bass instructor was Sue Stubbs. Formerly a guitarist, Kristin performed with big bands and her own jazz combo in Madison, WI, having studied jazz guitar and theory with Roger Brotherhood in Madison and jazz voice and theory with Hal Melia in Kansas City at UMKC.
Kristin enjoys being active in the performing arts community. She has volunteered with the Chamber Music Society of Kansas City and Charlotte Street Foundation, and has played in the bass section of the Northland Symphony Orchestra, among other bass gigs around the metro. Kristin currently serves as principal bass for the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and Heritage Philharmonic, and is a section bassist for Kinnor Philharmonic. She joined the writing staff of KCMetropolis.org in February 2010 and has been KCM’s executive editor since July 2011. Read her blog at mylittleheartmelodies.com.
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