Date: Fri 21-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-11

Quick Words:

theatre-Evita-Gateway's-Fenn

Full Text:

(rev "Evita" at Gateway's Playhouse, 6/21/96)

Theatre Review-

The Star Of `Evita' Shines At Gateway's

(with photo)

By Carol Fenn

NEW FAIRFIELD - Evita , the Broadway smash about Argentina's infamous first

lady, is shining brightly at Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse in New Fairfield.

This playhouse calls itself "Broadway in Your Backyard," and this claim is not

exaggerated in its current production.

Evita is every bit as professional and exhilarating to see as anything

currently running on Broadway. Every actor is cast perfectly and effortlessly

performs this brilliant musical work of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by

Tim Rice.

Evita as a production has made news lately because of the impending release of

a movie version of the musical with the pop singer Madonna controversially

cast as Eva Peron. One should not wait to see the great musical on screen,

however; run to Candlewood to see Evita as it is meant to be viewed: as a

theatrical piece.

For those who are unfamiliar with this great piece of drama and music, Evita

tells the true story of Eva Peron - actress, mistress and wife to Argentine

dictator Juan Peron, elected to power in 1946. Eva, soon to be known to her

supporters as "Evita," or little Eva, along with her lover and then husband,

harnessed the political arena in Argentina by winning over the huge population

of workers, or "descamisados."

Eva proved herself a powerful publicist for her husband and their cause to

break down the old aristocracy and the military, providing the working people

with leadership that worshipped Eva, crowning her Santa Evita. She created a

foundation that lavished money to the poor and needy, and she conjured glamour

and excitement.

But under all the spectacle, Argentina was falling apart financially by

reckless spending and the Perons were losing popularity by the early 1950s.

Also eclipsing her stardom, Eva was stricken with cancer and died in 1952,

only in her thirties. However, Eva Duarte Peron, born illegitimately and

snubbed by the middle class, rose to a powerful position and became much

loved, adored and mourned by her people.

This Lloyd Webber-Rice collaboration won Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best

Score and Best Book. It also made the actress Patti LuPone a star of Broadway

and TV. Director Ken Leigh Rogers has directed the current production true to

its theatrical history.

Cast in the title role, Alice M. Vinneau is the powerful force that drives

this play. Her talent is major and seamless, as she portrays Evita from an

ambitious youth to a scheming and power-hungry woman. There is never any doubt

in a viewer's mind this woman could and did take a nation by storm.

Vinneau's portrayal of Evita is compelling. Her believability as a dual

persona is evident as she sings the powerful song "Don't Cry For Me,

Argentina" in a shimmering white off-the-shoulder gown to the Latin beat of

"Buenos Aires."

We see Evita, through Vinneau, lovely and demure before her adoring crowds,

then harshly scheming and ruthless behind the scenes. Her Evita leaves no

questions as to how and why Eva Peron rose to the stardom she did.

Ms Vinneau's co-stars are Dave Clemmons and Robert Aronson. Clemmons plays

Che, a character created to guide the audience through the looking glass, if

you will, of Eva Peron's life, adding a cynical perspective to Eva's

popularity. Dressed in guerrilla fatigues and beret, Che appears in almost

every scene, powerfully voiced, adding sometimes a facile air to his

performance.

He growls to the adoring crowds about the Evita they could not see. He even

semi-waltzes with Eva, challenging her true intentions.

Robert Aronson, as Juan Peron, is very powerful in a role that could easily

get lost. He has a ridged, tall posture and a reliance on Eva's motivating

hand. He also demonstrates an insight into impending problems, especially seen

in the song "Dice Are Rolling."

The rest of the cast is wonderful, many playing multiple roles, strong in

their ensemble singing and dressed in period costumes from peasant to

sophisticate designed by Chuck Batchelor. Especially wonderful was the group

of actors who plays a snobbish aristocratic group that wonderfully moves

across the stage in motionless poses, dressed to the nines in only black and

white.

Also amusing is a group of actors smartly dressed in bright military uniforms

that performs a wonderful series of military cadence moves intertwining with

the aristocrats that is comical as well as telling.

The set design is sparse, without the tricks or special effects we see in some

of today's Broadway blockbusters. Set designer George Puello has created a

stage that does not interfere with the cornerstone of the play: character and

music.

An ever-changing slide show of real photographs is the only eye-grabbing

feature of Puello's set. Although sometimes the photos are not discernible and

sometimes distracting, they do give a view of the actual times and people who

helped create this period in history.

Not only does Evita offer a history lesson, albeit revised, its audience is

riveted to the stage by excellent characters and memorable music. Evita , as

presented by Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse, is a great musical with grand

rewards. Your evening will not be wasted when you enter the theatre, and into

the world of Eva Peron, Argentina's brightest star.

Tickets for Evita may be obtained by calling the Gateway's box office at

746-4441, or toll-free at 8-888-4-TIX-NOW. Prices range from $19 to $43.50

each. A special benefit performance will be offered Wednesday, July 3; call

the theatre for details. Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse is at the intersection

of Routes 37 and 39 in New Fairfield.