BEVERLY — It’s a good thing Twitter wasn’t around when Eva Peron was first lady of Argentina. One can imagine her tweets would’ve made President Trump’s malicious missives seem as threatening as puppies, rainbows and champagne fizz.
Throughout North Shore Music Theatre’s winning production of the revolutionary Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber pop-musical “Evita,” Briana Carlson-Goodman deftly captures the greed and ruthless ambition that catapulted the two-faced Eva from a childhood in the slums to the presidential mansion. Her Eva doesn’t care who she steps on or pushes aside as she climbs and claws her way to the top. She also has no love for the middle classes who worship her.
Carlson-Goodman, who has starred on Broadway in “Les Miserables,” “Hair” and “Dr. Zhivago,” is especially good as the wild child/mean schemer. She is less successful gaining sympathy in the show’s closing scenes, when frail Eva dies. Admittedly, the role is demanding and Rice/Lloyd Webber’s overly critical portrait of the sainted Evita makes it difficult for any actress, but few tears were shed by audience members. In fact, there’s a curious absence of emotion all evening, from both the stage and the seats.
Her singing, though, is strong and assured (miking problems/a too-loud orchestra on opening night hindered her a bit at the start but those were quickly remedied). “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” was the expected show-stopper, but a tender “I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You” and “You Must Love Me” were especially fine.
Constantine Maroulis is a delight as Che, the narrator/agitator who guides theatergoers through the various stages of Eva’s life with a healthy dose of sarcasm and bemused dismay. The “American Idol” finalist (sixth place. season 4) and Tony nominee (“Rock of Ages”) brings a bit of swagger to the role and excels on the more rock-oriented songs. He and Carlson-Goodman wow during “High Flying, Adored.”
John Cudia (as Juan Peron) and Nick Adams (as tango singer Magaldi) have the best voices in the cast. Adams’ “Oh, This Night of a Thousand Stars” dazzles, and he delivers a delicious put-down when he, the jilted lover, and Eva later bump into each other. Cudia, who played the title role in “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway and starred opposite Cathy Rigby in 1994’s “South Pacific” at the Music Theatre, is sure and steady as Peron. “She is a Diamond” and “Dice Will Roll” are among his highlights.
Julia Estrada, as the Mistress kicked out of Peron’s bed by conniving Eva, is first-rate. She deserved the loud applause for the heartbreaking “Another Suitcase in Another Hall.”
Isabella Carroll, a 10-year-old from Lynnfield, is remarkably assured as a child begging Eva for food and comfort. “Please, mother Eva, will you look upon me as your own?/Make me special, be my angel, be my everything wonderful perfect and true/And I’ll try to be exactly like you.” She’s sweet as she dances while standing on dad’s shoes, in the first scene as news of Eva’s death is announced on the radio and she tries to console her grieving parents.
The ensemble cast, per usual with NSMT shows, is excellent. “A New Argentina,” “Rainbow Tour” and “And the Money Kept Rolling In” are standouts.
Given the state of the world these days, one would have expected director Nick Kenkel to grab the opportunity to politicize this production. Smartly, he didn’t. Yes, correlations can be made between the Perons and some of today’s leaders but “Evita” is, above all, a night of entertainment. And a mighty fine one at that.
Music Theatre, ‘Evita’ cast host disaster relief fundraiser
BEVERLY — North Shore Music Theatre owner/producer Bill Hanney and the cast of “Evita” are excited to support the fundraising efforts of R.Evolucion Latina with a one-night only Latin Dance and Social event Monday night, starting at 6. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to hurricane and earthquake relief for Puerto Rico and Mexico as well as R.Evolución Latina’s free arts programs.
A $10 minimum donation is requested. The event, which includes a Latin dance class, will be held in the theater’s Studio 1 and Broadway Club.
Details:
- All ages and levels are welcome to attend
- Arrive, register, meet your fellow fundraisers/dancers and warm-up and mingle from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Dancing begins at 7 p.m.
- Professional artists from the cast of “Evita,” which is on stage through Oct. 8, will guide you with new steps, fun choreographies and more.
- Not a dancer? Come and mingle with cast members in the Broadway Club and support this cause. Cash bar available.
Sign up on FACEBOOK. Walk up attendance is welcome. For more information, go to nsmt.org.
