A.R.T.’s Spectacular ‘Evita’ Raises the Bar on the Term, “Production Values”

June 10, 2023July 24, 2023 michaelhoban1 Comment

Shereen Pimentel (Eva) in ***Evita*** at American Repertory Theater. Photo Credits: Emilio Madrid.

Lyrics by Tim Rice. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Directed by Sammi Cannold. Choreography by Emily Maltby, Valeria Solomonoff; Music Direction by Mona Seyed-Bolorforosh; Scenic Design by Jason Sherwood; Costume Design by Alejo Vietti,; Lighting Design by Bradley King. Presented by the American Repertory Theater in Association with Shakespeare Theatre Company at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge through July 30.

by Shelley A. Sackett

A cross between an iron maiden and a fairy princess gown, the replica of Eva Peron’s famous Dior strapless gown hangs suspended over a neon-framed stage. Like a mummified 3-dimensional diorama, the white bejeweled dress takes on a life of its own, its bodice both unsettling and beckoning, warning the audience: look but do not touch.

Bill Hanney’s NSMT ‘EVITA’ Evokes Excitement and Tears

October 2, 2017October 2, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

By Sheila Barth

BOX INFO: Under two-hour, two-act, multimedia musical production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1980 multi-Tony Award winner and others, appearing through October 8: Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 8 p.m.; matinees, Wednesday, Saturday Sunday, 2 p.m. Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly. $57-$82; kids 18-under, 50 percent discount. nsmt.org, 978-232-7200.

While dynamic, dying, populist First Lady Eva Peron sings to the masses,”Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina,” members of Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre audiences stifled tears, identifying with the grieving masses who deified the beautiful performer-turned-political leader.

NSMT’s EVITA is Magnificent

September 30, 2017 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s fourth musical of their 62nd season is “Evita” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. This rock opera is about Eva Peron, bit actress, mistress and wife to Argentine dictator, Juan Peron. This show is a collage of Eva’s rise to power and her early death. It is a look at a woman loved by the poor, hated by the rich and powerful and who was not above taking matters into her capable hands, whether it be charity funds, colonels on the rise to political power or, finally, political power itself.

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