Evita

The musical Evita is one of the most famous works by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). The musical narrates, in rock opera format, the rise and fall of Eva Perón, the charismatic and controversial First Lady of Argentina. Set in the 1930s and 1940s, the musical follows the journey of Eva Duarte, an ambitious young woman who leaves the countryside in search of fame and fortune in Buenos Aires. Determined to succeed, Evita becomes involved with influential figures until she meets Juan Perón, a rising military and political officer. Marrying him, Eva becomes one of the most beloved figures by the people, a symbol of hope and social progress—but also hated by many, criticized and accused of political manipulation and thirst for power. The story is narrated by Che, a skeptical revolutionary and a sort of critical conscience, who observes and questions Eva's actions throughout her life. The musical culminates with Eva's illness and premature death at 33, when her image had already become mythical. The work originally premiered at the Prince Edward Theatre in London on June 21, 1978, with Elaine Paige as Eva Perón, receiving great acclaim from critics and audiences, and winning the Laurence Olivier Award for her performance. A year later, the production reached Broadway at the Broadway Theatre on September 25, 1979, starring Patti LuPone, who would go on to win the Tony Award for her performance. Since then, the role of Evita has been played by several renowned actresses, including Madonna, who immortalized it in the 1996 film adaptation, and Elena Roger, star of the 2006 London revival and the 2012 Broadway production.