View source for Evita (musical)

{{Short description|1978 musical by Lloyd Webber and Rice}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox Musical
| name = Evita
| image = Evita 1978 Prince Edward Theatre.jpg
| caption = Programme from the original West End Production at the [[Prince Edward Theatre]]
| music = [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]
| lyrics = [[Tim Rice]]
| book = Tim Rice
| basis = The life of [[Eva Perón]]
| premiere_date = 21 June 1978
| premiere_location = [[Prince Edward Theatre]], London
| productions = {{plainlist|
* 1978 [[West End theatre|West End]]
* 1979 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
* 2006 West End revival
* 2012 Broadway revival
* 2014 West End revival
* 2017 West End revival
* 2025 West End revival
}}
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->| awards = {{plainlist|
* [[Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical]]
* [[Tony Award for Best Original Score]]
}}
| image_size = 
}}

'''''Evita''''' is a [[sung-through]] [[Musical theatre|musical]] with music by [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] and lyrics by [[Tim Rice]]. It concentrates on the life of [[Politics of Argentina|Argentine political leader]] [[Eva Perón]], the second wife of Argentine president [[Juan Perón]]. The story follows Evita's early life, rise to power, charity work, controversies, and death.

The musical began as a [[Evita (album)|rock opera concept album]] released in 1976. Its success led to productions in London's [[West End theatre|West End]] in 1978, winning the [[Laurence Olivier Award]] for Best Musical, and on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] a year later, where it was the first British musical to receive the [[Tony Award for Best Musical]].

This has been followed by a string of professional tours and worldwide productions and numerous cast albums, as well as a [[Evita (1996 film)|1996 film adaptation]]. The musical was revived in London's West End in 2006, 2014, 2017, and 2025, and on Broadway in 2012.
{{TOC limit|2}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:Abigail Jaye as Evita.jpg|thumb|Abigail Jaye as Evita ([[Gaiety Theatre, Dublin]], in 2010)]]
'''Act I'''

On 26 July 1952, a crowd in a [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] theatre is watching a movie ("A Cinema in Buenos Aires, 26 July 1952") that is interrupted when news breaks of the death of [[First Ladies and Gentlemen of Argentina|First Lady]] [[Eva Perón]]. Both the crowd and the nation go into a period of public mourning ("Requiem for Evita") as Che, a member of the public, marvels at the spectacle and promises to show how Eva did "nothing for years" ("[[Oh What a Circus]]").

In 1934, 15-year-old Eva Duarte lives in the city of [[Junín, Buenos Aires|Junín]], and longs to seek a better life in Buenos Aires. Eva takes up with a [[tango music|tango]] singer-songwriter, [[Agustín Magaldi]], after she meets him at one of his shows ("On This Night of a Thousand Stars"). Eva persuades an initially resistant Magaldi to take her with him to Buenos Aires ("Eva, Beware of the City"). Upon her arrival in the city, Eva sings about her hopes and ambitions of glory ("Buenos Aires").

After her arrival, Eva is quick to leave Magaldi and pursue other romantic connections to climb up the social ladder ("Goodnight and Thank You"). Che tells of both a left-wing [[1943 Argentine coup d'état|coup in 1943]] and Eva's success, implying that Argentine politics and Eva's career may soon coincide. Che also makes a point to introduce the figure of [[Juan Perón|Colonel Juan Domingo Perón]], an ambitious [[army colonel]] making his way up the Argentine political ladder ("The Lady's Got Potential"). Perón and other military figures compete for power and exhibit their political strategy, with Perón rising above the pack ("The Art of the Possible").

After a massive earthquake hits the town of [[San Juan (Argentina)|San Juan]], Perón organizes a charity concert at [[Luna Park, Buenos Aires|Luna Park]] to provide aid to the earthquake's victims, which Eva attends. Perón's rousing speech is well-received by the crowd ("Charity Concert"). Eva introduces herself to Perón and they share a secret rendezvous following the charity concert, where Eva hints that she could help Perón rise to power ("I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You"). Eva dismisses Perón's unnamed mistress, who ponders the rejection and her fate ("[[Another Suitcase in Another Hall]]").

Upon moving in with Perón, Eva is introduced to high society only to be met with disdain from the upper classes and the [[Argentine Army]] ("Perón's Latest Flame"). In 1946, after launching his presidential bid, Perón discusses his chances of winning the [[1946 Argentine general election|election]] with Eva. After reassuring him of their chances of winning, Eva organizes rallies for the ''[[Descamisado|descamisados]]'' (shirtless ones) and gives them hope for a better future while Perón and his allies plot to dispose of anyone who stands in their way ("A New Argentina").

'''Act II'''

Perón is elected [[President of Argentina|President]] in a sweeping victory in 1946. He stands "On The Balcony of the [[Casa Rosada]]" addressing his ''descamisados''. Eva speaks from the balcony of the Presidential Palace to her adoring supporters, where she proclaims that despite her elevated status, her heart remains with the people of her country ("[[Don't Cry for Me Argentina]]"). Che analyses the price of fame as Eva dances at the Inaugural Ball with Perón, now the president-elect ("High Flying, Adored").

Eva insists on a glamorous image to impress the people of Argentina and promote [[Peronism]]. She prepares to tour Europe as she is dressed for success by her fashion consultants ("Rainbow High"). Her famous 1947 tour meets with mixed results ("Rainbow Tour"); [[Francoist Spain|Spaniards]] adore her, but the [[Italy|Italians]] liken her husband to [[Benito Mussolini]]. [[French Fourth Republic|France]] is impressed, and the British snub her by inviting her to a country estate, rather than [[Buckingham Palace]]. Eva affirms her disdain for the upper class, while Che asks her to start helping those in need as she made a promise ("The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines (You'd Like to Hear)"). Eva begins the [[Eva Perón Foundation]] to direct her charity work. Che describes Eva's controversial charitable work and possible [[money laundering]] ("And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)").

Eva appears at a church to take the [[sacrament]] in front of her adoring supporters ("Santa Evita"), but passes out suddenly, and while unconscious, appears to have a dream that reflects upon the conflicting views of her life. In her dream, she and Che heatedly debate her actions; Che accuses Eva of using the Argentine people for her own ends, while Eva cynically replies that there is no glory in trying to solve the world's problems from the sidelines ("Waltz for Eva and Che"). At the end of the argument, Eva finally admits to herself and Che that she is dying and can't go on for much longer. Che points out the disastrous results of Perón's policies on Argentina: its treasury is bankrupt, its once-thriving beef industry is under rationing, and the press and other critics of the regime are muzzled.

Perón's generals finally get sick of Eva's meddling and demand that Perón force her to leave politics. However, Perón objects and claims that if it weren't for her, they would never have achieved as much as they have ("She Is a Diamond"). But he also concedes that she won't be able to keep working for long as she will soon succumb to her [[cervical cancer|cancer]]. Even so, Eva is determined to run for [[List of Vice Presidents of Argentina|Vice President]], and Perón fears that the military will stage a coup if she runs and that Eva's health is too delicate for any stressful work, but Eva insists that she can continue, despite her failing health ("Dice Are Rolling/Eva's Sonnet").

Realizing she is about to die, Eva renounces her pursuit of the vice presidency and swears her eternal love to the people of Argentina ("Eva's Final Broadcast"). Eva's numerous achievements flash before her eyes before she dies ("Montage"), and she asks for forgiveness, contemplating her choice of fame instead of long reign ("Lament"). Evita dies, and embalmers preserve her body forever. Che notes a monument was set to be built for Evita but says "only the pedestal was completed, and Evita's body disappeared for 17 years."

==Character roles==
* '''[[Eva Perón]]''' ([[mezzo-soprano]]): Lead. Playing age 15–33
* '''Che''' ([[tenor]]): Lead. Playing age 21–35<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stlmag.com/arts/A-Conversation-with-Actor-Josh-Young-Evitas-Che/|title=A Conversation with Actor Josh Young, Evita's Che (But This Time, Not Guevera)|work=St. Louis Magazine|date=7 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://onmilwaukee.com/ent/articles/joshyoungevita.html|title=OnMilwaukee.com Arts & Entertainment: Chatting with Che: An interview with 'Evita' star Josh Young|work=OnMilwaukee.com|date=2 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/in-upcoming-revival-of-evita-che-will-be-the-everyman-not-che-guevara-187373|title=In Upcoming Revival of Evita, Che Will Be The "Everyman," Not Che Guevara|work=Playbill|date=10 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/28635/che-guevara-in-%E2%80%98evita%E2%80%99-a-great-historical-error|title=Che Guevara in 'Evita' a great historical error|date=13 May 2012|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=2 May 2020|first=Facundo|last=Mela}}</ref>
* '''[[Juan Perón]]''' ([[baritone]]): Supporting. Playing age 40–65
* '''[[Agustin Magaldi|Agustín Magaldi]]''' ([[tenor]]): Supporting. Playing age 23–35
* '''Perón's Mistress''' ([[mezzo-soprano]]): Supporting. Playing age 15-21
* '''[[Choir|Chorus]]''' (men, women and children of Argentina)

==Notable casts==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! rowspan=2|Role
! Concept album
! West End
! Broadway
! West End revival
! Broadway revival
! West End revival
! West End revival
! West End revival
|-
!<small>1976</small>
!<small>1978</small>
!<small>1979</small>
!<small>2006</small>
!<small>2012</small>
!<small>2014</small>
!<small>2017</small>
!<small>2025</small>
|-
! scope="row"| [[Eva Perón]]
| align="center" | [[Julie Covington]]
| align="center" | [[Elaine Paige]]
| align="center" colspan="1" | [[Patti LuPone]]
| align="center" colspan="2" | [[Elena Roger]]
| align="center" | [[Madalena Alberto]]
| align="center" | [[Emma Hatton]]
| align="center" | [[Rachel Zegler]]
|-
! scope="row"| Che
| align="center" | [[Colm Wilkinson]]
| align="center" | [[David Essex]]
| align="center" | [[Mandy Patinkin]]
| align="center" | [[Matt Rawle]]
| align="center" | [[Ricky Martin]]
| align="center" | [[Marti Pellow]]
| align="center" | Gian Marco Schiaretti
| align="center" | [[Diego Andres Rodriguez]]
|-
! scope="row"| [[Juan Perón]]
| align="center" | [[Paul Jones (singer)|Paul Jones]]
| align="center" | [[Joss Ackland]]
| align="center" | [[Bob Gunton]]
| align="center" | [[Philip Quast]]
| align="center" | [[Michael Cerveris]]
| align="center" | Matthew Cammelle
| align="center" | Kevin Stephen-Jones
| align="center" | James Olivas
|-
! scope="row"| [[Agustin Magaldi|Agustín Magaldi]]
| align="center" | [[Tony Christie]]
| align="center" | [[Mark Ryan (actor)|Mark Ryan]]
| align="center" | [[Mark Hsu Syers|Mark Syers]] 
| align="center" | Gary Milner
| align="center" | [[Max von Essen]]
| align="center" | [[Ben Forster (actor)|Ben Forster]]
| align="center" | Oscar Balmaseda
| align="center" | Aaron Lee Lambert 
|-
! scope="row"| Perón's Mistress
| align="center" | [[Barbara Dickson]]
| align="center" | [[Siobhán McCarthy]]
| align="center" | Jane Ohringer
| align="center" | [[Lorna Want]]
| align="center" | [[Rachel Potter]]
| align="center" | Sarah McNicholas
| align="center" | Sarah O'Connor
| align="center" | Bella Brown
|}

=== Notable replacements ===
==== West End (1978–99) ====
*'''Eva Perón:''' [[Marti Webb]], [[Stephanie Lawrence]], [[Siobhán McCarthy]], [[Kathryn Evans]]
*'''Che:''' [[Gary Bond]], [[Mark Ryan (actor)|Mark Ryan]], [[Martin Smith (entertainer)|Martin Smith]]
*'''Juan Perón:''' [[John Turner (actor)|John Turner]], [[Oz Clarke]], [[Daniel Benzali]]
*'''Agustín Magaldi''': [[David Burt (actor)|David Burt]]
*'''Mistress:''' [[Kelly Hunter]]

==== Broadway (1979–83) ====
*'''Eva Perón:''' [[Loni Ackerman]], [[Nancy Opel]], [[Pamela Blake]]
*'''Che:''' [[Anthony Crivello]]
*'''Juan Perón:''' [[David Cryer]]

==== Broadway (2012–13) ====
*'''Che:''' [[Max von Essen]]

==Musical numbers==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Act 1===

* "A Cinema in Buenos Aires, 26 July 1952" – Crowd°
* "Requiem for Evita" – Chorus
* "[[Oh What a Circus]]" – Che and Crowd
* "On This Night of a Thousand Stars" – Magaldi
* "Eva and Magaldi" / "Eva, Beware of the City" – Eva, Magaldi, Che and Evita's Family
* "Buenos Aires" – Eva, Che and Crowd
* "Goodnight and Thank You" – Che, Eva, Magaldi and Lovers
* "The Lady's Got Potential" – Che*
* "The Art of the Possible" – Perón, Generals and Eva
* "Charity Concert" – Perón, Che, Magaldi and Eva
* "I'd Be Surprisingly Good for You" – Eva and Perón
* "Hello and Goodbye" – Eva
* "[[Another Suitcase in Another Hall]]" – Perón's Mistress and Men's Chorus
* "Peron's Latest Flame" – Che, Aristocrats, Soldiers and Eva
* "A New Argentina" – Eva, Che, Perón and Crowd
{{col-break}}

===Act 2===

* Entr'acte
* "On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada" – Perón, Che and Crowd
* "[[Don't Cry for Me Argentina]]" – Eva
* "High Flying, Adored" – Che and Eva
* "Rainbow High" – Eva and Dressers
* "Rainbow Tour" – Perón, Advisers and Che
* "The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines (You'd Like to Hear)" – Eva, Aristocrats and Che
* "And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)" – Che and Crowd
* "Santa Evita" – Children and Chorus
* "Waltz for Eva and Che" – Eva and Che
* "[[You Must Love Me]]" – Eva
* "Peron's Latest Flame Playoff" – Soldiers**
* "She Is a Diamond" – Perón**
* "Dice Are Rolling" / "Eva's Sonnet" – Perón and Eva
* "Eva's Final Broadcast" – Eva and Che
* "Montage" – Eva, Che, Perón, Magaldi and Chorus
* "Lament" – Eva, Embalmers and Che
{{col-end}}

'''Notes'''

* *This song is usually cut from most of the productions and replaced with "The Art of the Possible," but a modified version has appeared in a number of stagings.  It was revived by [[Alan Parker]] for [[Evita (1996 film)|the film]], with modified lyrics by [[Tim Rice]] to remove the insecticide sub-plot.
* **These two songs are often credited as just "She is a Diamond".
*°This was replaced by "Junin, 26 July 1952" for the Japanese productions, London and Broadway revivals.
*"You Must Love Me", written for the 1996 film, was added to the 2006 London production and several other post-film productions; its placement varies from right after "Waltz for Eva and Che" to right before "Eva's Final Broadcast."
*See ''[[Evita (1976 album)|Evita]]'' for the song list from the 1976 concept album.

==History==
[[File:New York bus, 1982.png|thumb|left|A bus in New York featuring an ''Evita'' advertisement in 1982.]]
In 1972, [[Robert Stigwood]] proposed that [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] and [[Tim Rice]] develop a new musical version of ''[[Peter and Wendy|Peter Pan]]'', but abandoned the project.

Travelling late to a meal one night in 1973, though, Rice heard the end of a radio show about [[Eva Perón]] which intrigued him. As a child stamp collector, he had been fascinated by her image on the Argentine stamps, but was unaware of her significance in Argentina's history. He began research and was introduced by a [[Cinema International Corporation]] executive to the Argentine film director Carlos Pasini Hansen who had produced the TV film ''Queen of Hearts'', which had aired in the UK on 24 October 1972.<ref name="oxfordhandbook">{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kDydDwAAQBAJ&dq=tim+rice+named+daughter+eva&pg=PA378 |title=Is This The Right Material, Girl?|last=Allen|first=Richard|date=2019 |work=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-005154-9}}</ref> The executive also arranged for Rice to see the film at [[Thames Television]] which he did "at least twenty times" saying also that "by that time I had seen Pasini's superbly researched film, I was hooked."<ref>Citron, pp.192–193</ref> The more Rice investigated Eva Perón, going so far as to travel to [[Buenos Aires]] to research her life with many documents and contacts that Pasini had supplied, the more fascinated he became by the woman; he even named his first daughter after her.<ref name="oxfordhandbook" />

Rice suggested the idea of a musical based on the subject to Lloyd Webber, but although the idea of writing a score including [[Tango (dance)|tango]]s, [[paso doble]]s, and similar Latin flavours intrigued him, Lloyd Webber ultimately rejected the idea.<ref name="oxfordhandbook" /> He decided instead to collaborate with [[Alan Ayckbourn]] on ''[[By Jeeves|Jeeves]]'', a traditional [[Rodgers and Hart]]-style musical based on the [[P. G. Wodehouse]] character, which proved to be a critical and commercial failure.<ref>Citron, pp.191–97</ref> After ''Jeeves'', Lloyd Webber returned to Rice, and they began developing Rice's proposed musical.<ref name="oxfordhandbook" />

The authors of the 1996 book ''Evita: The Real Life of Eva Perón'' claim the musical was based on Mary Main's biography ''[[The Woman with the Whip]]'', which was extremely critical of Eva Perón.<ref>Fraser and Navarro, p. 199</ref> Rice created the character "Che" to serve as both narrator and represent the voice of the lower, working class, providing insight and criticism to Eva's character.<ref name="oxfordhandbook" /> When [[Harold Prince]] later became involved with the project, he insisted that the actors portraying Che should use [[Che Guevara]] as a role model.<ref>Citron, p. 223</ref> In the [[Evita (1996 film)|1996 film adaptation]], the character returned to his more anonymous roots. This was also the case for the 2006 [[London]] revival.<ref>Programme notes, 2006 London production</ref>

Lloyd Webber and the conductor Anthony Bowles presented the musical at the second [[Sydmonton Festival|Sydmonton Fest]] before making the recording with the [[London Philharmonic Orchestra]].<ref>Citron, p. 229</ref>

==Recording==
As they had previously done with ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'', the songwriting team decided to record ''Evita'' as an [[album musical]] and selected actress and singer [[Julie Covington]] to sing the title role, after having caught an episode of ''[[Rock Follies]]'' and remembered her from the original London production of ''[[Godspell]]''. The recording, which was released by [[MCA Records]] who had previously marketed ''Jesus Christ Superstar'', commenced in April 1976 and was produced by Lloyd Webber and Rice. The recording was engineered by David Hamilton Smith, whose work Rice later acknowledged was effectively that of a third producer. He also delivered the line, "Statesmanship is more than entertaining peasants," a rebuttal to Eva's balcony speech on the album.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Released in 1976, the two-record set included [[Paul Jones (singer)|Paul Jones]] as [[Juan Perón]], [[Colm Wilkinson]] as Che, [[Barbara Dickson]] as Perón's mistress, and [[Tony Christie]] as [[Agustín Magaldi]]. The writers had originally considered [[Steve Marriott]] and [[John Fogerty]] but neither was interested. [[Murray Head]], who had enormous success with the ''Superstar'' album, recorded some demos but Rice later admitted they "didn't really reproduce the magic that his portrayal of [[Judas Iscariot|Judas]] had." Colm Wilkinson had recently played Judas in the London production of ''Superstar'' and agreed to audition: "It only took a couple of verses to know he was our man."{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

[[Mike d'Abo]], who had succeeded Paul Jones as lead singer of [[Manfred Mann]], had a minor role on the album which was notable as the first one which both had appeared. [[Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five)|Mike Smith]], former lead vocalist with [[the Dave Clark Five]] and d'Abo's then working partner, also appeared.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Pasini wrote the dialogue in Spanish of the first scene, "A Cinema in Buenos Aires, 26 July 1952". On this recording, he played the part of the actor in the soundtrack of a movie that grinds to a halt and also read the official communique of Eva's death. When the album was presented to the press at Lloyd Webber's country home [[Sydmonton]], Pasini organised a photographic presentation with his colleague [[Anton Furst]] to accompany it. His contribution to the development of the project was recognised as Rice and Lloyd Webber acknowledged him first in a thank you speech afterwards.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

In Britain, Australia, South Africa, South America, and various parts of Europe, sales of the concept album exceeded those of ''Jesus Christ Superstar''; in the United States, however, it never achieved the same level of success. Covington's recording of "[[Don't Cry for Me Argentina]]" (originally titled "It's Only Your Lover Returning")<ref>Citron, p. 226</ref> was released in October 1976. It reached No. 1 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="Citron, p. 230"/> and enjoyed similar success internationally. Dickson's "[[Another Suitcase in Another Hall]]" also became a hit. In the US and UK, respectively, [[Karen Carpenter]], [[Olivia Newton-John]], and [[Petula Clark]] released cover versions of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina".{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

==Musical analysis==
The musical employs an eclectic range of styles. [[Classical music]] in ''Evita'' includes the opening choral piece ("Requiem for Evita") and a choral interlude in "Oh What a Circus", as well as instrumental passages throughout the musical such as the orchestral version of the "Lament" and the introduction to "Don't Cry for Me Argentina". Rhythmic Latinate styles are heard in pieces such as "Buenos Aires", "And the Money Kept Rolling in (And Out)" and "On This Night of a Thousand Stars", while ballads include "High Flying, Adored" and "Another Suitcase in Another Hall". [[Rock music]] includes "[[Oh What a Circus]]", "Perón's Latest Flame", and a song cut from the original production called "The Lady's Got Potential". The song was reinstated for the [[Evita (1996 film)|1996 film]] with revised lyrics by Rice, and has also been used in Japanese,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090721023257/http://castalbumcollector.com/recordings/3741 "Japanese version, 1982, Recorded live at the Nissei Theater"]}} CastAlbums.org, accessed 26 August 2011</ref> [[Czech language|Czech]],<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100130055303/http://castalbumcollector.com/recordings/3115 "Czech version, 1998"]}} CastAlbums.org, accessed 26 August 2011</ref> and [[Danish language|Danish]]<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20221207055701/http://castalbumcollector.com/recordings/2903 "Danish version, 2001"]}} CastAlbums.org, accessed 26 August 2011</ref> stage productions to expand on Argentine history for audiences less familiar with the subject.

==Historical accuracy==
[[Tomás Eloy Martínez]] noted:

{{quote|Che as well as Evita symbolise certain naïve, but effective, beliefs: the hope for a better world; a life sacrificed on the altar of the disinherited, the humiliated, the poor of the earth. They are myths which somehow reproduce the image of Christ.<ref>Martinez, Tomas Eloy.[http://www.lasmujeres.com/?m=peron_eva&s=articles&sc=art_Evita-or-Madonna-whom-will-history-remember "Evita Or Madonna: Whom Will History Remember?, Interview"] LasMujeres.com, Retrieved 13 June 2006</ref>}}

The lyrics and storyline of the musical are influenced by Mary Main's biography, ''Evita: The Woman with the Whip'', which drew heavily upon the accounts of anti-[[Peronism|Perónist]] Argentines. Shortly after the musical appeared, Nicholas Fraser and [[Marysa Navarro]] published a more neutral account of Eva Perón's life, ''Evita: The Real Lives of Eva Perón'', in which they claim that many of Main's assertions were false, such as the suggestion that Eva had first gone to Buenos Aires as the mistress of a married musician, Agustín Magaldi. Instead, they wrote, Eva's mother Doña Juana had taken her there when she aspired to become a radio actress. Some critics also suggested that Rice's lyrics disparaged Evita's achievements unnecessarily, particularly her charity work. According to Navarro and Fraser,<blockquote>Although [''Evita''] was based for the most part on the earliest and seamiest versions of Evita's life, something happened to the tale in its retelling and the Evita who emerged each evening, dressed first as a teenager, then a hooker, and finally, in [[Tulle_(netting)|tulle]] and silver foil, as First Lady, was far from being unsympathetic.<ref>Fraser and Navarro, p.193</ref></blockquote>

Following the success of the film version of ''Evita'', in 1996, an Argentinean film biography of Eva Perón was released, ''[[Eva Perón: The True Story]]'', asserting that it corrected distortions in the musical's account.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Eva-Peron-Esther-Goris/dp/B00013D4DG ''Eva Perón'', 1996 Argentine film biography of Eva Perón] Amazon.com, accessed 26 August 2011</ref>

==Resident productions==

===Original West End production===
When the recording was released, Lloyd Webber had sent a copy to the American director [[Harold Prince]] and invited him to become involved with the eventual staging. Prince agreed, commenting, "Any opera that begins with a funeral can't be all bad", but he advised them that he could not take on any new commitments for the next two years.<ref name="Citron, p. 230">Citron, p. 230</ref> In the meantime, Lloyd Webber and Rice reworked several elements of the show. Some songs were dropped and some shortened, while others were introduced and some lyrics rewritten. Prince eventually confirmed that he would be ready to start rehearsals in early 1978. When he began working on the project in May, he suggested few changes, other than for deleting Che's rock number "The Lady's Got Potential". Prince requested a song he could stage to chart Perón's rise to power, and Rice and Lloyd Webber responded with the musical chairs number "The Art of the Possible", during which military officers are eliminated until only Perón remains.<ref>Citron, p. 231</ref>

''Evita'' opened at the [[Prince Edward Theatre]] on 21 June 1978 and closed on 8 February 1986, after 3,176 performances.<ref>[http://www.thisistheatre.com/shows/princeedward40.html Evita at Prince Edward Theatre] thisistheatre.com, retrieved 17 March 2010.</ref> [[Elaine Paige]] played Eva with [[David Essex]] as Che, [[Joss Ackland]] as Perón, [[Mark Ryan (actor)]] as Magaldi and [[Siobhán McCarthy]] as Mistress.<ref>Citron, p.&nbsp;232.</ref> Paige was selected from among many hopefuls, after Julie Covington declined the role. The production was directed by Harold Prince, choreographed by [[Larry Fuller (choreographer)|Larry Fuller]], and produced by Robert Stigwood. Paige was succeeded by [[Marti Webb]], [[Stephanie Lawrence]], Siobhán McCarthy (who had played The Mistress when the show opened), Jacquey Chappell and ultimately, [[Kathryn Evans]] with Maria Morgan.<ref>Inverne, J. "Jack Tinker: A Life in Review", p.&nbsp;21, Oberon, 1997.</ref>

Webb originally played the role during Paige's holiday and was persuaded by Prince to remain in the cast as an alternate for two shows each week to aid the transition when she took over the role. This set the precedent until the show closed, with Lawrence becoming Webb's alternate. Michele Breeze, Paige's original understudy never inherited the role in London but later created it for the original New Zealand production. Susannah Fellows also understudied Eva.

[[Gary Bond]] replaced David Essex as Che, then [[Mark Ryan (actor)|Mark Ryan]], who had first starred as Magaldi, later assumed the role, followed by [[Martin Smith (actor/musician)|Martin Smith]] and Jimmy Kean. Ackland's replacements included John Turner, [[Oz Clarke]] and [[Daniel Benzali]].

In his review in ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', [[Derek Jewell]] called the show "quite marvellous" and described Lloyd Webber's "ambitious" score "an unparallelled fusion of 20th century musical experience" and Rice's lyrics as "trenchant" and "witty". [[Bernard Levin]] of ''[[The Times]]'' disliked it, however, calling it as an "odious artefact ... that calls itself an opera ... merely because the clichés between the songs are sung rather than spoken" and "one of the most disagreeable evenings I have ever spent in my life".<ref>Citron, pp.&nbsp;232–33.</ref>

[[File:Evita Dior.jpg|thumb|left|The iconic diamond encrusted dress for the balcony scene was inspired by an actual dress for Perón by [[Christian Dior]]]]
This production won the [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical]], and Elaine Paige won the [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Musical]] at the [[1978 Laurence Olivier Awards]]. Also receiving [[Laurence Olivier Awards|Olivier Award]] nominations were Harold Prince ([[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director|Best Director]]) and David Essex (Best Performance in a Musical).<ref>[http://www.olivierawards.com/about/previous-winners/view/item98512/S.W.E.T Award-Winners-1978 "S.W.E.T Award Winners 1978"]{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Olivierawards.com, accessed 21 December 2011</ref>

[[Timothy O'Brien (theatre designer)|Timothy O'Brien]] and Tazeena Firth collaborated on the design of the show. The set was minimal, with a scaffolded balcony running along the back and sides of the stage and images projected onto a screen above. [[Madame Tussauds]] produced a wax figurine of Eva, based on Elaine Paige, for the coffin during the funeral scene at the beginning of the show. Inspired by the [[mural]]s of [[Diego Rivera]], Prince suggested the [[proscenium]] be flanked by artwork depicting the struggles of the [[Argentine people|Argentine]] peasants. He jettisoned the original monochromatic costumes designed for the chorus members and dancers; instead, he had them go to charity and secondhand clothing shops to purchase costumes.<ref>Citron, pp. 231–32</ref> The now iconic balcony scene featured Eva in a broad, diamond encrusted white dress based on one actually owned by Eva Perón which had been designed by [[Christian Dior]] addressing a crowd from the rear balcony of the stage.

The ''Evita: Original London Cast Recording'' was recorded in 1978 and released by [[MCA Records]]. Some releases mistakenly refer to the concept album as the Original London Cast Recording.

The original London production transferred to the [[Manchester Opera House|Opera House]] in [[Manchester]] for an extended run following its closure at the Prince Edward Theatre.  Kathryn Evans and Jimmy Kean played Eva and Che with Ria Jones and John Barr being their alternates.

===Original Broadway production===
[[File:Pattiluponeevita.jpg|thumb|200px|Poster for the Broadway production with [[Patti LuPone]] in the title role]]
After debuting at the [[Dorothy Chandler Pavilion]] in [[Los Angeles]], with a subsequent engagement at the [[Orpheum Theatre (San Francisco)|Orpheum Theatre]] in [[San Francisco]],<ref>Hartgrave, Lee. [http://www.beyondchron.org/evita-miss-coco-peru-terese-geneco/ "Evita! Miss Coco Peru! Terese Geneco!"] Beyond Chron, 18 March 2005</ref> the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production opened at the [[The Broadway Theatre|Broadway Theatre]] on 25 September 1979 and closed on 26 June 1983, after 1,567 performances and 17 previews. [[Patti LuPone]] starred as Eva, with [[Mandy Patinkin]] as Che, [[Bob Gunton]] as Perón, [[Mark Hsu Syers|Mark Syers]] as Magaldi, and Jane Ohringer as Perón's mistress. Harold Prince directed with choreography by Larry Fuller.<ref name=internet>[http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=3809 "'Evita' listing, 1979–1983"] InternetBroadwayDatabase.com, accessed 26 August 2011</ref> During the run, six actresses alternated playing the title role, in addition to LuPone: Terri Klausner (matinees), [[Nancy Opel]] (matinees), Pamela Blake (matinees), Derin Altay, [[Loni Ackerman]] and Florence Lacey.<ref>[[Stanley Green (historian)|Green, Stanley]] and Green, Kay. ''Broadway Musicals, Show By Show''. Hal Leonard Corporation, 1996, {{ISBN|0-7935-7750-0}}, p.&nbsp;254.</ref> Patinkin was replaced by James Stein and later by [[Anthony Crivello]].

''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' critic [[Frank Rich]] stated: "Loni Ackerman, the current Eva Perón, has no discernible Latin blood, but she sings the role better than any of the American Evitas, as well as acting and dancing it with nonstop energy. Anthony Crivello, a performer new to me, is easily the best Che I've seen in New York or London: not only does he have a supple voice, but he also moves with such grace that he lightens the heavy, moralizing tone his character must bear. He's so effective, in fact, that he almost convinces you that there's a sound reason for Che Guevara to be dragged into the Peron saga."<ref>Rich, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/17/theater/in-the-arts-critics-choice-229254.html "In the Arts. Critics Choice"] ''New York Times'', 17 October 1982</ref> Tom Carter understudied Patinkin and performed as Che.

LuPone's performance brought her massive acclaim, but she struggled to hit the high notes night after night. "It's horrible. When I first heard the score to Evita, I thought Andrew Lloyd Webber hated women because the score's written in a soprano's passaggio. If you think of a rubber band and you pull a rubber band, the weakest spot is in the middle. That's a passaggio. You have a chest voice and a head voice, and then right in the middle is where you have to negotiate changing gears and all of the high notes are written in that break. The fact that I willed my voice every single night to hit those notes and I didn't do more damage to my voice is shocking. The role itself is pretty spectacular. I had a blast acting it — I couldn't sing it. And every night I went on stage in terror, absolute terror. That's not good for the soul. It's not good for the head. It's not good for anything. But I knew it was my test. I knew that if I survived this, I could survive anything."<ref>Rashotte, Vivian.  [https://www.cbc.ca/arts/q/every-night-i-went-on-stage-in-terror-patti-lupone-recalls-being-tested-by-evita-1.7019615] ''CBC Arts'', 6 November 2023</ref>

Elaine Paige was originally told she would re-create her role in the Broadway production, however the [[Actors' Equity Association]] refused permission for a non-American. Prince attempted to persuade the organisation for a second time when LuPone was suffering vocal problems before the production reached New York. LuPone stated in her memoir that this was nothing more than a rumour started by Prince himself to build publicity. She, however, had her own doubts about that being true.

=== Original Australian production ===
The original Australian production opened at the [[Adelaide Festival Centre|Adelaide Festival Theatre]] on 30 April 1980. It featured Jennifer Murphy as Eva, [[John O'May]] as Che, [[Peter Carroll (actor)|Peter Carroll]] as Perón, [[Tony Alvarez (actor)|Tony Alvarez]] as Magaldi, and Laura Mitchell as Perón's mistress.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51585301 |title=Jennifer Murphy faces the biggest test of her career |newspaper=[[The Australian Women's Weekly]] |volume=47 |issue=48 |location=Australia |date=30 April 1980 |access-date=24 September 2017 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125652836 |title='Evita' unforgettable |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=55 |issue=16,579 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=16 February 1981 |access-date=24 September 2017 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Patti LuPone took over the title role in mid-1981 during its [[Sydney]] run after Murphy left the production.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125632300 |title=Star from 'Evita' to leave |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=55 |issue=16,659 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=7 May 1981 |access-date=24 September 2017 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125642768 |title=OPERA New Evita adds to show's impact |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=55 |issue=16,705 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=22 June 1981 |access-date=24 September 2017 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> LuPone's experience in the Sydney production was a much more positive one than her time on Broadway because by that time she felt comfortable singing the score and enjoyed playing the part.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1asS7GdEO5I  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/1asS7GdEO5I| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Broadway legend Patti LuPone on InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse |work=HoustonPBS |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=August 6, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Riefe|first=Jordan|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/patti-lupone-one-woman-show-a-life-in-notes-broadway-dumb-down-1235864074/|title=While Patti Lupone Vows She'll Never Do Another Musical, She Is Singing Soon Onstage in L.A.|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 4, 2024|accessdate=September 11, 2024}}</ref>

===Spain (1980); Mexico (1981); Brazil (1983)===
The first Spanish language version premiered at the Teatro Monumental in [[Madrid]] on 23 December 1980, directed by Jaime Azpilicueta and with [[Paloma San Basilio]] as Eva, [[Patxi Andión]] as Che, Julio Catania as Perón, Tony Landa as Magaldi and Montserrat Vega as Perón's mistress. A double album recorded by the original cast was released and the song "No llores por mí Argentina" became a hit single. This production later played in [[Barcelona]] and in other cities in Latin America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.ws/evitainternational/prod/1980_mad.html|title=Evita Madrid 1980|work=Evita International}}</ref>

In [[Mexico City]] the show premiered at the Teatro Ferrocarrilero on 26 June 1981, with [[Valeria Lynch]] and [[Rocío Banquells]] alternating as Eva, Jaime Garza and [[Javier Díaz Dueñas]] alternating as Che, Jorge Pais as Perón, César Millán as Magaldi and [[Carmen Delgado]] as Perón's mistress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.ws/evitainternational/prod/1981_mex.html|title=Evita Mexico 1981|work=Evita International}}</ref>

Directed by Maurício Shermann and starring [[Cláudya|Cláudia]] as Evita, [[Mauro Mendonça]] as Péron, Carlos Augusto Strazzer as Che, Sílvia Massari as Perón's mistress, and Hildon Prado as Magaldi, it premiered at [[Teatro João Caetano]] in [[Rio de Janeiro]] on 12 January 1983. It later moved to Teatro Palace in [[São Paulo]] in 1986. It opened to great success in Brazil, with the Brazilian singer Cláudia being considered by some critics as the best Evita of all the time. English producers Robert Stigwood and [[David Land]], after watching the Brazilian production, said that Cláudia was the best Evita of all the singers who had played the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esquinamusical.com.br/entrevista-o-poder-do-talento-e-do-temperamento-de-claudya/|title=Interview: The Power of the Talent and Temperament of Claudya|website=Esquina Musical|date=6 August 2014}}</ref>

===2006 West End revival===
[[File:Evita at the Adelphi.jpg|thumb|''Evita'' at the [[Adelphi Theatre]]]]
On 2 June 2006, the first major London production of ''Evita'' since the original had closed 20 years earlier opened in the [[West End theatre|West End]] at the [[Adelphi Theatre]]. Directed by [[Michael Grandage]], Argentine actress [[Elena Roger]] debuted as Eva, while [[Philip Quast]] appeared as Perón with [[Matt Rawle]] as Che.<ref>[http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/evita/shows-archive/evita-cast-lists/adelphi-theatre-1996 "Cast list, 2006"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222214942/http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/evita/shows-archive/evita-cast-lists/adelphi-theatre-1996 |date=22 February 2010 }}, ReallyUseful.com, retrieved 24 February 2010.</ref> Its libretto included "[[You Must Love Me]]", written for the 1996 film, but which had not yet been included in an English-language stage production. The production opened to very positive reviews, but ticket sales were slow, which resulted in its closure on 26 May 2007 after a run of less than a year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/joseph-hangs-dreamcoat-at-adelphi-in-july-71815/|title=Joseph hangs Dreamcoat at Adelphi in July|date=4 April 2007|work=OfficialLondonTheatre.com|access-date=31 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202112/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/display?contentId=93524 <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=27 September 2007}}.</ref> Quast and Roger were nominated for [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]] and [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]] respectively for their performances at the [[2007 Laurence Olivier Awards]].

===Stratford Shakespeare Festival (2010); Brazil (2011)===
The [[Stratford Shakespeare Festival]] produced ''Evita'' as its first [[rock musical]] from 28 to 6 May November 2010. The principal characters are played by [[Chilina Kennedy]] (Eva), [[Juan Chioran]] (Juan), and [[Josh Young]] (Che), with direction by [[Gary Griffin (director)|Gary Griffin]].<ref>[http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/OnStage/productions.aspx?id=6044&prodid=31474 "'Evita' listing, 2010"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902062525/http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/OnStage/productions.aspx?id=6044&prodid=31474 |date= 2 September 2010 }} StratfordFestival.ca, accessed 5 January 2011</ref><ref>Bey, Mardam Kindah.  [http://www.pressplus1.com/stage-reviews/evita-stratford-shakespeare-festival.html "Review, 'Evita', Stratford Shakespeare Festival"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715114714/http://www.pressplus1.com/stage-reviews/evita-stratford-shakespeare-festival.html |date=15 July 2011 }} PressPlus1.com, 11 June 2010</ref>

A second Brazilian production directed by Jorge Takla premiered at Teatro Alfa in March 2011, with Paula Capovilla as Evita, Daniel Boaventura as Perón and Fred Silveira as Che.

===2012 Broadway revival===
A Broadway revival of the show, based upon the 2006 West End production, ran at the [[Marquis Theatre]], with Elena Roger in the title role, [[Ricky Martin]] as Che, [[Michael Cerveris]] as Perón, [[Max von Essen]] as Magaldi (he was also Ricky Martin's understudy) and [[Rachel Potter]] as Mistress. Christina DeCicco alternated with Roger as Eva. Michael Grandage again directed the production with choreography by [[Rob Ashford]], set and costume design by [[Christopher Oram]] and lighting design by [[Neil Austin (lighting designer)|Neil Austin]]. The revival was produced by Hal Luftig and [[Scott Sanders (producer)|Scott Sanders]]. Previews began on 12 March 2012 with the official opening on 5 April 2012.<ref>Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/160558-Elena-Roger-and-Ricky-Martin-Begin-a-Waltz-for-Eva-and-Che-in-Broadway-Revival-of-Evita-March-12 "Elena Roger and Ricky Martin Begin a Waltz for Eva and Che in Broadway Revival of 'Evita' March 12"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114125900/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/160558-Elena-Roger-and-Ricky-Martin-Begin-a-Waltz-for-Eva-and-Che-in-Broadway-Revival-of-Evita-March-12 |date=14 January 2014 }} Playbill.com, 12 March 2012</ref> The production was nominated for three [[Tony Awards]], including [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical|Best Revival of a Musical]] at the [[66th Tony Awards]]. It closed on 26 January 2013 after 337 performances and 26 previews.<ref>Jones, Kenneth.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/173118-Requiem-Broadways-Evita-Will-Close-Jan-26-Tour-Will-Launch-in-RI "Requiem! Broadway's ''Evita'' Will Close Jan. 26; Tour Will Launch in RI"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213123910/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/173118-Requiem-Broadways-Evita-Will-Close-Jan-26-Tour-Will-Launch-in-RI |date=13 December 2012 }} Playbill.com, 11 December 2012</ref><ref>Gans, Andrew.[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/174378-Goodnight-and-Thank-You-Broadway-Revival-of-Evita-Ends-Run-Jan-26 "Goodnight and Thank You: Broadway Revival of ''Evita'' Ends Run Jan 26"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127133026/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/174378-Goodnight-and-Thank-You-Broadway-Revival-of-Evita-Ends-Run-Jan-26 |date=27 January 2013 }} Playbill.com, 26 January 2013</ref>

===2013 Italy and 2017 Israel===
The first Italian production premiered in [[Sanremo]] (IM) 5 December 2013, directed by Susanna Tagliapietra, with Italian lyrics by Marco Savatteri. The original cast included Simona Angioloni as Eva Duarte, Edoardo Pallanca as Che, Agostino Marafioti as Juan Perón, Matteo Merli as Magaldi, Diletta Mangolini as Mistress, replaced by Simona Marrocco in the touring production.<ref>evitailmusical.it</ref>

Israeli singer and actress [[Shiri Maimon]] starred in a production of ''Evita'' at [[Habima Theatre]] in [[Tel Aviv]] in 2017.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jessica |date=2018-02-01 |title=Israel's Shiri Maimon takes on Broadway with role in 'Chicago' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-shiri-maimon-takes-on-broadway-with-role-in-chicago/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=[[Times of Israel]]}}</ref> Broadway producers impressed by her performance later invited her to star in ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]'' on Broadway.<ref name=":0" /> In 2024, Maimon recorded a Hebrew rendition of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" (אל נא תבכי ארגנטינה) accompanied by the [[Israel Philharmonic Orchestra]].<ref>{{Citation |title=אלבום הופעה חיה 2024 by Shiri Maimon & Israel Philharmonic Orchestra on Apple Music |date=2024-06-02 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%94%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A2%D7%94-%D7%97%D7%99%D7%94-2024/1747895246 |access-date=2024-06-09 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shiri Maimon and the Israel Philharmonic @ Hikul Hatarbut |url=https://www.secrettelaviv.com/tickets/shiri-maimon-and-the-israel-philharmonic-hikul-hatarbut |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Secret Tel Aviv |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2025 West End revival===
A West End revival based upon the 2019 production at [[Regent's Park Open Air Theatre]] began previews at the [[London Palladium]] on 14 June 2025 with its opening on 1 July.<ref>Culwell-Block, Logan. [https://playbill.com/article/rachel-zegler-will-lead-jamie-lloyd-directed-evita-in-londons-west-end "Rachel Zegler Will Lead Jamie Lloyd-Directed ''Evita'' in London's West End"] Playbill.com, March 14, 2025</ref><ref name="Playbill-reviews">{{Cite web|last1=Culwell-Block|last2=Gans|first1=Logan|first2=Andrew|url=https://playbill.com/article/what-do-reviewers-think-of-jamie-lloyds-evita-revival-in-londons-west-end|title=Reviews, and More Photos, Released for Jamie Lloyd's ''Evita'' Revival in London's West End|date=2025-07-02|access-date=2025-07-07|website=Playbill|language=en-US}}</ref> The limited run closed on 6 September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=Rachel Zegler-Led ''Evita'' Concludes Limited Run at London Palladium September 6 |url=https://playbill.com/article/rachel-zegler-led-evita-concludes-limited-run-at-london-palladium-september-6 |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Playbill |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Jamie Lloyd (director)|Jamie Lloyd]] directed, with [[Rachel Zegler]], in her West End debut, as Eva,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Bamigboye |first=Baz |date=2025-03-14 |title=Breaking Baz: 'Snow White' Star Rachel Zegler Signs To Play Eva Perón In 'Evita' At London Palladium |url=https://deadline.com/2025/03/rachel-zegler-evita-london-palladium-snow-white-1236326239/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rachel Zegler stars in ''Evita'' at The London Palladium |url=https://lwtheatres.co.uk/rachel-zegler-stars-in-evita-at-the-london-palladium/ |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=LW Theatres |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Diego Andres Rodriguez]] as Che,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diego Andres Rodriguez to join West End production of EVITA |url=https://www.londonboxoffice.co.uk/news/post/diego-andres-rodriquez-evita-west-end |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=London Box Office |language=en-GB}}</ref> James Olivas as Juan Perón, Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi, and Bella Brown as The Mistress/Alternate Eva.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=Cast Complete for London Revival of ''Evita'', Starring Rachel Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez |url=https://playbill.com/article/cast-complete-for-london-revival-of-evita-starring-rachel-zegler-and-diego-andres-rodriguez |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Playbill |language=en-US}}</ref>

The production stages the number "Don’t Cry for Me Argentina" on the exterior balcony of the Palladium ([[Argyll Street]]) and is broadcast to the theatre audience using cameras outside and a large screen inside the theatre; the large crowds on the street watching this balcony scene can be contextualized as part of Eva Peron's "spectacle and political theatre".<ref>{{Cite news |author=Nadia Khomami |date=2025-06-17 |title=Paying Evita audience upset as Don't Cry delivered offstage to West End passersby for free |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/jun/17/evita-rachel-zegler-west-end-balcony-scene-dont-cry-for-me-argentina |access-date=2025-06-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 

The critical reception of the production was generally positive, with widespread praise being targeted towards Zegler’s performance. Arifa Akbar stated, in a three-star review in ''[[The Guardian]]'': "Zegler is phenomenal but Jamie Lloyd’s rock show drowns out the story". Alice Saville, in a five-star review in ''[[The Independent]]'', wrote that "Zegler is enthralling as Evita in this gorgeous sensory overload of a show." Andrzej Lukowski, in a four-star review in ''[[Time Out (magazine)|TimeOut]]'', said: "Zegler is phenomenal, the balcony scene is incredible, Jamie Lloyd’s production is thrilling if occasionally incoherent". Nick Curtis rated the production five-stars in ''[[The Evening Standard]]'', especially praising Zegler.<ref name="Playbill-reviews" /> 

In August 2025, Lloyd Webber said in an interview with ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' that he was unsure if the production would transfer to Broadway by 2027 because of the high cost of mounting Broadway musicals and that a tax credit program that helped Broadway come back from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] by providing shows with millions of dollars in subsidies is running out of funding.<ref name="Variety-ALW-25">{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |title=Inside Andrew Lloyd Webber's Comeback: From Hit Revivals of 'Evita' and 'Sunset Blvd.' to a Dramatic Overhaul to His Theater Company |url=https://variety.com/2025/legit/news/iandrew-lloyd-webbers-comeback-evita-sunset-boulevard-company-name-change-1236487721/ |access-date=2025-08-13 |website=Variety |date=13 August 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

It has also been suggested that Jamie Lloyd and Lloyd Webber have fallen out after Lloyd Webber revealed he thought the show was too loud and that some political aspects of the story weren’t very clear to audience members and suggested they perhaps enjoyed the feeling of the evening rather than the story itself. When asked would Jamie Lloyd perhaps make some changes to the story to make it clearer if it transferred to Broadway, he simply replied "Jamie Lloyd is Jamie Lloyd".<ref name="Variety-ALW-25" />

===Further productions===
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre presented the musical (directed by Jamie Lloyd) from 2 August – 21 September 2019. The production starred [[Samantha Pauly]] in her London debut as Eva, [[Ektor Rivera]] as Juan Peron, Trent Saunders as Che, Adam Pearce as Magaldi, and [[Frances Mayli McCann]] as the Mistress.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's 2019 Season Announced|url=https://openairtheatre.com/blog/2019seasonannounced/|work=Regent's Park Open Air Theatre|access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref>

[[New York City Center]] also presented the musical in 2019, (directed by [[Sammi Cannold]]) from 13 – 24 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/read-the-reviews-for-evita-at-new-york-city-center|title=Read the Reviews for Evita at New York City Center &#124; Playbill}}</ref> The musical opened to mixed reviews, and featured two actresses in the role of Eva. [[Maia Reficco]] as young Eva from 15–20, and [[Solea Pfeiffer]] from 20–33. Jason Gotay starred as Che, with Enrique Acevedo as Juan and Philip Hernández as Magaldi.

Cannold again directed the musical at the [[American Repertory Theatre]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] from May-July 2023 with Shereen Pimentel in the title role with Omar Lopez-Cepero as Che, [[Caesar Samayoa]] as Juan, and Gabriel Burrafato as Magaldi.

An all-star West End concert was performed at the [[Theatre Royal Drury Lane]] in July and August 2023, directed by Bill Deamer, starring [[Auli'i Cravalho]] as Eva, alongside [[Matt Rawle]] reprising his role of Che from the first West End revival and [[Jeremy Secomb]] reprising his role of Juan from the 2017 Europe tour. The concert featured a 30-piece orchestra and was produced by Fourth Wall Live and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra.

==Touring productions==
There have been numerous US and international touring productions of the show:

===Early 1980s US national tours===

The 1980–1983 1st US national tour opened at the [[Shubert Theatre (Los Angeles)|Shubert Theatre]] in Los Angeles and starred Loni Ackerman as Eva, Scott Holmes as Che, [[Jon Cypher]] as Juan Perón, Sal Mistretta as Magaldi and Cynthia Hunt as Perón's Mistress. The 1979-1983 2nd US national tour opened at the Shubert Theatre in [[Chicago]] and subsequently toured to major U.S. cities starring Valerie Perri as Eva, John Herrera as Che, Robb Alton as Juan Perón, Peter Marinos as Magaldi and Cynthia Simpson as Perón's Mistress. The 2nd National went on to finish touring Scandinavia. The 1984 3rd US National Tour opened at the Masonic Temple Theatre in [[Detroit]] and starred Florence Lacey as Eva, Tim Bowman as Che, John Leslie Wolfe as Juan Perón, Vincent Pirillo as Magaldi and Patricia Ludd as Perón's Mistress. In the 1983 and 1986 US tours, Florence Lacey played Eva.<ref>Christon, Lawrence.  [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-08-ca-4498-story.html "Five Years Later, Lacey Ponders Life After 'Evita'"] ''Los Angeles Times'', 8 May 1986</ref>

===1987 UK and Irish tour===

[[Rebecca Storm]] played Eva with Chris Corcoran as Che.

===1988 European Tour===
Rebecca (Becky) Norman played Eva with James Sbano as Che and David Wasson as Perón with performances in Italy, Holland and Germany.

===1989 world tour===

Florence Lacey starred once more with James Sbano as Che and Robert Alton as Perón.

===1992-1994 US tour===

A touring production was mounted in anticipation of the film version which lasted nearly two years and featured several actresses in the title role, including Valerie Perri, Donna Marie Asbury and [[Marla Schaffel]]. It was directed and choreographed by Larry Fuller and featured John Herrera and Daniel C. Cooney as Che.<ref>Harvey, Alec. "This Touring ''Evita'' Boasts Top-Notch Troupe", ''Birmingham News'' (Alabama), 23 January 1994, p.&nbsp;101.</ref>

===1995–1996 UK tour===

[[Paul Nicholas]] and [[David Ian]], with the original producers Robert Stigwood and David Land, mounted a version closely based on the original London production starring Marti Webb, one of the first performers to play Eva, with Chris Corcoran as Che, Duncan Smith as Perón, Leo Andrew as Magaldi and Poppy Tierney as the mistress. Despite some criticism over the casting of Webb at the age of 50, the success of the tour led to extensions throughout 1996.<ref>"Musical Fans Snap Up Seats For Evita" (Darlington Civic Theatre, May 1996), ''The Northern Echo'', 30 November 1995.</ref><ref>Bruce, Keith. "Evita, Playhouse, Edinburgh", ''The Herald'' (Glasgow), 27 April 1995, p.&nbsp;17.</ref><ref>Coveney, Michael. "Evita: If you can't wait for the film, a big national tour of classic 1978 Rice/Lloyd Webber musical, led by Marti Webb", ''The Observer'', 19 March 1995, p.&nbsp;14.</ref>

===1998 US 20th anniversary tour===

A tour, based on the original Broadway production, which was originally scheduled to play on Broadway in the 1999–2000 season started in Detroit on 3 November 1998 and closed in [[Boston]], Massachusetts, in the summer of 1999.<ref name=play99>Ehren, Christine and [[Simonson, Robert]].  [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/44382-Bway-Bound-Evita-Tour-Stops-at-the-Ohio-in-Columbus-March-23-28 "Bway-Bound Evita Tour Stops at the Ohio in Columbus March 23–28"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019130258/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/44382-Bway-Bound-Evita-Tour-Stops-at-the-Ohio-in-Columbus-March-23-28 |date=19 October 2012 }} Playbill.com, 23 March 1999</ref> It starred [[Natalie Toro (actress)|Natalie Toro]] as Eva, with [[Raul Esparza]] as Che and Raymond Jaramillo McLeod as Juan Perón.<ref name=bww>[http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwidb/productions/Evita_11104/ "Tour listing"] Broadwayworld.com, accessed 6 March 2009.</ref> This production focused more on Latin themes.<ref name=rice>[http://www.timrice.co.uk/evitat.html "''Evita'' tour listing"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306113738/http://www.timrice.co.uk/evitat.html |date=6 March 2008 }} TimRice.com, accessed 6 March 2009.</ref> According to ''[[Playbill]]'', "The Latin casting is part of an effort to instill this production with a more culturally authentic feel."<ref name=play99/> Toro received excellent reviews, along with her leading men.

===2004 US tour===

A production opened in November 2004 with Kathy Voytko and [[Bradley Dean]], directed by Harold Prince and Larry Fuller.<ref>Jones, Kenneth.  [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89361-Rainbow-Tour-Kathy-Voytko-Is-Evita-in-New-Prince-ly-Road-Company-Taking-Off-Nov-2 "Rainbow Tour: Kathy Voytko Is 'Evita' in New Prince-ly Road Company, Taking Off Nov. 2"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114054852/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/89361-Rainbow-Tour-Kathy-Voytko-Is-Evita-in-New-Prince-ly-Road-Company-Taking-Off-Nov-2 |date=14 January 2011 }} Playbill.com, 2 November 2004</ref> This production closed in May 2007 but reopened later that year. It closed finally in June 2008.

===2008 UK tour===

A tour, following the then recent London production, began in 2008 starring Louise Dearman and later [[Rachael Wooding]] as Eva, [[Seamus Cullen]] (a finalist in the [[BBC]] show ''[[Any Dream Will Do (TV series)|Any Dream Will Do]]'')<ref>Lathan, Peter.  [http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/evitatour-rev.htm "Review-Evita at Theatre Royal, Newcastle"] BritishTheatreGuide.info, circa July 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2011</ref> as Che, Mark Heenehan as Perón<ref>High, Chris.  [http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/london/E8821212063745/Evita+%28tour%29.html "Review-'Evita' tour, Liverpool Empire Theatre"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615183616/http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/london/E8821212063745/Evita+(tour).html |date=15 June 2011 }} WhatsOnStage.com, 29 May 2008</ref> with James Waud as Magaldi who won the role in a competition, and Nikki Mae as Perón's Mistress, later Carly Bowmen. The UK tour ended in late 2009 but was remounted in March 2010, touring throughout Europe until April 2011. It continued in the UK and Germany from May to September 2011 featuring Abigail Jaye as Eva, Mark Powell as Che, Mark Heenehan as Perón and Reuben Kaye as Magaldi. [[Earl Carpenter]] would later replace Heenehan.<ref>[http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=888 "Cast list 2011"] Official Website, Bill Kenwright Ltd, accessed 28 May 2011.</ref>

===2013 US tour===

A US national tour of the musical, based on the 2012 Broadway revival, began in September 2013. The cast for the tour included [[Caroline Bowman]] as Eva, [[Josh Young]] as Che, Sean McLaughlin as Perón, Christopher Johnstone as Magaldi, [[Krystina Alabado]] as Mistress and [[Desi Oakley]] as the alternate for Eva Perón.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Josh-Young-and-Caroline-Bowman-Set-to-Lead-EVITA-National-Tour-and-Che-and-Eva--Full-Cast-Announced-20130716|title=Josh Young, Caroline Bowman and Sean MacLaughlin Set to Lead EVITA National Tour- Full Cast Announced!|author=BWW News Desk|date=16 July 2013|work=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref>

===2013–2014 UK tour===

A tour, announced after the success of the Broadway production of the show, which was produced by [[Bill Kenwright]]. It opened on 15 May 2013 at the [[New Wimbledon Theatre]], before dates at the [[King's Theatre, Glasgow|Glasgow Kings Theatre]], [[Theatre Royal, Norwich|Theatre Royal Norwich]], and the [[Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton|Wolverhampton Grand]]. The production starred [[Marti Pellow]], the lead singer of the band [[Wet Wet Wet]], as Che, Andrew C Wadsworth as Juan Perón, and [[Madalena Alberto]] as Eva Perón. The tour concluded with 55 performances at the [[Dominion Theatre]] in the West End in September and October 2014.<ref>[https://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/evita-cast Full cast revealed for Evita at the Dominion Theatre] – bestoftheatre.co.uk</ref><ref>[http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=888 "Cast {{!}} Bill Kenwright Ltd"] accessed 13 January 2015</ref> This production was directed by Bob Thompson, with choreography by Bill Deamer, and musical direction by David Steadman.

===2017 UK tour===

A replica of the 2013–2014 UK Tour began touring early 2017, once again in the UK. Led by [[Emma Hatton]], with Gian Marco Schiaretti as Che; [[Jeremy Secomb]] as Juan Perón; Oscar Balmaseda as Magaldi and Sarah O’Connor as the Mistress; this production ran through to July. In the same way the previous tour had a limited London run, this production performed a limited 91 performance run (due to the failure of ''[[The Girls (musical)|The Girls]]'') at the [[Phoenix Theatre (London)|Phoenix Theatre]] from July to October 2017. Hatton reprised her role along with all her previous cast members. The tour then continued into 2018.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/evita-west-end-summer-2017-emma-hatton_43946.html |title = Evita to return to the West End this summer &#124; WhatsOnStage| date=23 June 2017 }}</ref>

===2017/2018 international tour===

A revival of the original production (as directed by Hal Prince and choreographed by Larry Fuller) toured South Africa, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, featuring a cast from South Africa and led by [[Emma Kingston]] from the UK in the title role.

The Singapore season ran from 23 February 2018 to 18 March 2018 in the [[Marina Bay Sands]] Theatre. 18 young talents were selected to be cast in this ''Evita'' production. Three sets of six children alternate in ensemble roles. The young actors are: Federica Aramburu, Lilo Baier, Mika Barel, Charmaine Chan, Hindya Dickinson, Jasmine Huilian Ellis, Gabriel Frade, Sam Howie, Annabelle Jarvis, Jayden Alim Lai, Lia Marie Elaine Macdonell, Max Makatsaria, Nanako Masui, Faith Ong, Sofia Ella Poston, Sebastian Street, Damien Rocco Weber, Charisse Low Yu Xin.

===2018 Australian tour===

A 2018 Australian revival of the stage musical, directed by Harold Prince, was announced on 21 August 2017, by [[Opera Australia]], with Australian singer-songwriter, musician, musical theatre actress [[Tina Arena]] being confirmed as the lead actress. The stage tour production began at the [[Sydney Opera House]], in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, with opening night on 13 September, running to 3 November 2018. The next venue on the national tour leg was the [[Arts Centre Melbourne]], from 5–30 December 2018.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://opera.org.au/whatson/events/evita-sydney?noloc=true | title=Evita &#124; Opera Australia | access-date=14 August 2018 | archive-date=14 August 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814135217/https://opera.org.au/whatson/events/evita-sydney?noloc=true | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/tina-arena-confirmed-eva-peron-evita|title=Tina Arena confirmed as Eva Peron in Evita – News|date=21 August 2017}}</ref> Arena said she felt the time was right to tackle the role. "I have been approached to do this role on a couple of occasions," Arena stated. "I never felt emotionally ready for it. I felt I had a lot of living and learning before I could get up and take on the enormity of the story and the human spirit she possessed".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/tina-arena-to-play-evita-at-the-sydney-opera-house-20170821-gy0suf.html|title=Tina Arena to play Evita at the Sydney Opera House|first=Nathanael|last=Cooper|date=21 August 2017|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/tina-arena-will-help-young-stars-find-their-voices-on-the-big-stage-in-evita-musical/news-story/9edbccd1b5ae5ddd1fb33b47a1f9b143 |title = Tina Arena to steer kids in musical|newspaper = Daily Telegraph|date = 5 May 2018}}</ref>

On 7 May 2018, Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini, along with producers John Frost and David Ian, announced the full cast for the upcoming Australian production of ''Evita''. With Arena announced in the lead role as Eva Perón, the remainder of the cast was announced as: [[Paulo Szot]], Brazilian operatic baritone in the role of Juan Perón; Kurt Kansley would take on the role of the revolutionary Che. [[Michael Falzon (actor)|Michael Falzon]] would portray [[tango music|tango]] singer Agustín Magaldi, while the role of Perón's Mistress would be played by Alexis van Maanen. [[Jemma Rix]] was cast as the alternate Eva Perón and was scheduled to be appearing in the role at least once a week (the Wednesday 7:30&nbsp;pm show) throughout the Sydney season, according to the ''Evita''-Australia website.<ref name="aussietheatre.com.au">{{cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/evita-full-cast-announced|title=Evita full cast announced – News|date=7 May 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://evitathemusical.com.au/cast/|title=Evita The Musical|last=ACMN|website=Evita The Musical}}</ref>

On 21 July 2018, Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini, along with producers John Frost and David Ian, announced the 18 young performers who have been cast in the upcoming production of ''Evita'', in season at the Sydney Opera House from September 2018. Three sets of six children alternated in ensemble roles. The young actors are: Jack Barton, Alysiah Carlino, Julien Daher, Jacob Drew, Paige Hewlett, BeBe Liu-Brennan, Robbi Morgan, Allerah Murdock, William Oakley, Pamelia Papacosta, Benjamin Park, Sara Petrovski, Raffaella Reid, Avaleigh Rock, Amelie Rose, Austin Taylor, Oliver Trus, and Zoe Zantey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/sydney/article/Childrens-Cast-Announced-For-EVITA-in-Sydney-20180721|title=Children's Cast Announced For EVITA in Sydney|author=BWW News Desk}}</ref><ref name="aussietheatre.com.au"/><ref name="auto"/>

==Film adaptation==
{{Main|Evita (1996 film)}}
Plans for a film directed by [[Ken Russell]] developed soon after the West End and Broadway openings. Much speculation of potential leads included [[Barbra Streisand]] or [[Liza Minnelli]] as Eva, and [[Barry Gibb]] or [[Elton John]] as Che.<ref>{{cite news | last = Greenberg | first = James | title = Is It Time Now to Cry for 'Evita'? | work = The New York Times | date = 19 November 1989 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/19/movies/is-it-time-now-to-cry-for-evita.html?pagewanted=all | access-date = 9 August 2009}}</ref> These plans never came to fruition.

Russell has said that his own first choice for the film lead was [[Karla DeVito]], who had come to fame in rock tours and on Broadway, where she had impressed the wife of Andrew Lloyd Webber. DeVito was screen tested for the role while in England shooting music videos for her solo album ''Is This A Cool World or What?'' DeVito's performance of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" in the screen test caused much positive buzz. Russell wrote that she brought viewers to tears (except Tim Rice – who wanted Elaine Paige, with whom he was romantically involved). Although Russell rejected the idea, Paige was screen tested twice.

Russell's biography indicates that he met with Barbra Streisand, who dismissed the role immediately. He wrote that he then suggested Liza Minnelli. A year had passed between the first screen tests and Minnelli's, which Russell reports was amazing. Russell approached Stigwood with Minnelli's test, convinced she had the necessary talent and star quality, but he was soon told it was going to be Elaine Paige. Having already protested that idea, Russell quit the film. Years later when he saw Karla DeVito again, Russell addressed her as "My Evita."

It was not until 1996 that ''Evita'' came to the big screen. [[Alan Parker]] directed the film, with [[Madonna]] in the title role, [[Antonio Banderas]] as Che and [[Jonathan Pryce]] as Perón. The film was nominated for five [[Academy Awards]], winning one for [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] ("[[You Must Love Me]]," composed especially for the film) at the [[69th Academy Awards]]. Madonna received mixed reviews but won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy]] at the [[54th Golden Globe Awards]], where the film also won [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy|Best Picture–Musical or Comedy]]. The film was choreographed by [[Vincent Paterson]].

==Awards and nominations==

===Original West End production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="4" align="center"| 1978
| rowspan="4"| [[1978 Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Awards]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Musical|Best Performance in a Musical]]
| [[Elaine Paige]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[David Essex]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director|Director of the Year]]
| [[Harold Prince]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="23" align="center"| 1980
| rowspan="11"| [[34th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Book of a Musical]]
| Tim Rice
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| Patti LuPone
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| Bob Gunton
| {{nom}}
|-
| Mandy Patinkin
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]]
| Harold Prince
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design|Best Lighting Design]]
| David Hersey
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design|Best Scenic Design]]
| rowspan="2"| Timothy O'Brien and Tazeena Firth
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
| Larry Fuller
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="10"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical|Outstanding Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics|Outstanding Lyrics]]
| [[Tim Rice]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music|Outstanding Music]]
| [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Mandy Patinkin]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Patti LuPone]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Bob Gunton]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical|Outstanding Director of a Musical]]
| [[Harold Prince]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography|Outstanding Choreography]]
| [[Larry Fuller (choreographer)|Larry Fuller]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design|Outstanding Costume Design]]
| [[Timothy O'Brien (theatre designer)|Timothy O'Brien]] and Tazeena Firth
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design|Outstanding Lighting Design]]
| [[David Hersey]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Outer Critics Circle Award]]
| Best Lyricist
| Tim Rice
| {{won}}
|-
| [[New York Drama Critics' Circle|New York Drama Critics' Circle Award]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards Past Winners|url=https://www.dramacritics.org/dc_pastawards.html |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=New York Drama Critics Circle|language=en}}</ref>
| colspan="2"| Best Musical
| {{won}}
|}

===2006 West End revival===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award Ceremony
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="6" align="center"| 2007
| rowspan="6"| [[2007 Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Philip Quast]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Elena Roger]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
| [[Rob Ashford]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===2012 Broadway revival===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="8" align="center"| 2012
| rowspan="3"| [[66th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical|Best Revival of a Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Michael Cerveris]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
| [[Rob Ashford]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical|Outstanding Revival of a Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Ricky Martin]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| Michael Cerveris
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography|Outstanding Choreography]]
| Rob Ashford
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design|Outstanding Lighting Design]]
| [[Neil Austin (lighting designer)|Neil Austin]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===2019 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 2019
|[[Critics' Circle Theatre Award|Critics’ Circle Theatre Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-11|title=2019 Results {{!}} Critics' Circle Theatre Awards|work=Critics' Circle Theatre Awards - Founded in 1989 |url=https://criticscircletheatreawards.com/results/2019-results/|access-date=2020-12-03|language=en-GB}}</ref>
|[[Critics' Circle Theatre Award#Best Director|Best Director]]
|[[Jamie Lloyd (director)|Jamie Lloyd]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Evening Standard Theatre Awards|Evening Standard Theatre Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Paskett|first=Zoe|date=2019-11-25|title=The 2019 Evening Standard Theatre Awards winners in full|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-winners-2019-a4294246.html|access-date=2021-03-30|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>
| colspan="2" |[[Evening Standard Theatre Awards#Best Musical|Best Musical]]
|{{won}}
|- 
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 2020
| rowspan="2" |[[2020 Laurence Olivier Awards|Laurence Olivier Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard - Theatre's Biggest Night|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/olivier-awards-2020/|access-date=2021-03-30|website=Olivier Awards|language=en-GB}}</ref>
| colspan="2" |[[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival|Best Musical Revival]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|[[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer|Best Theatre Choreographer]]
|Fabian Aloise
| {{nom}}
|}

==Cultural impact==
''Evita'' came in sixth in a [[BBC Radio 2]] listener poll of the UK's "Number One Essential Musicals".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/paige/essentialvote.shtml |title=Elaine Paige – Nation's Favourite Musicals |access-date=2 June 2007 |work=BBC Radio 2 }}</ref>

One episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', "[[The President Wore Pearls]]", has a plot loosely based on the musical, with [[Lisa Simpson]] ([[Yeardley Smith]]) in Eva's role. The episode includes parodies of songs such as "A Vote for a Winner" which includes the lyrics, "don't cry for me, kids of [[Springfield (The Simpsons)|Springfield]]".<ref>{{Citation |title=Simpsons - Don't vote for me, kids of springfield | date=28 December 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ0OjpUy5HM |language=en |access-date=2022-09-19}}</ref>  At the end of the episode, a comical disclaimer is displayed stating, "On the advice of our lawyers, we swear we have never heard of a musical based on the life of Eva Perón".

During the ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' episode "[[Special Education (Glee)|Special Education]]", the characters [[Kurt Hummel]] ([[Chris Colfer]]) and [[Rachel Berry]] ([[Lea Michele]]) sing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" when Kurt is auditioning for a solo in the Warblers for Sectionals. In the season three episode "[[Hold On to Sixteen]]", a rival showchoir sings "Buenos Aires" as their competition piece.

In the short "The Ballad of Magellan" in the cartoon series ''[[Animaniacs]]'', the country of Argentina is depicted with a sign reading, "''EVITA'' Coming Soon!".

==Recordings==
[[File:Evitaoriginalcastrecording.jpg|thumb|right|Cover of Original Broadway Recording]]
First recorded by a cast assembled specifically for the recording in 1976, the first stage cast recording of ''Evita'' was of the original London production in 1978. The original Broadway cast was recorded for an album released in 1979. Lloyd Webber and Rice produced these first three recordings.

At least 25 English language cast albums have been released, along with many foreign language recordings. There are currently four in Spanish, five German, three in Japanese, and two in [[Hebrew]], with additional recordings in [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Danish language|Danish]], Dutch, French, [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]], [[Korean language|Korean]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], and [[Swedish language|Swedish]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://subtitles.o2.cz/6035/Evita.html | title=Evita subtitles | publisher=subtitles.o2.cz | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605035337/http://subtitles.o2.cz/6035/Evita.html|archive-date=5 June 2010|access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref>

Soprano [[Kiri Te Kanawa]] recorded a complete operatic version of the score with [[Christopher Lee]] as Perón{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}. This recording, however, has never been released{{Citation needed|reason=There is no indication that this recording exists|date=February 2018}}. Marti Webb also recorded a highlights album of sorts for the [[Pickwick Records]] label that featured [[Dave Willetts]] and [[Carl Wayne]]. It was released to coincide with the 1995 UK Tour of the show in which Webb starred.

Credited as "Festival," [[disco]] producer [[Boris Midney]] released an entire 1979 album of disco versions of key ''Evita'' songs at the behest of impresario [[Robert Stigwood]]. The album reached #1 on the disco charts, and the disco version of "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" reached #72 on the Hot 100 Singles chart.<ref>{{cite web|website=The Second Disc|url=https://theseconddisc.com/2013/01/15/dont-cry-for-me-princess-leia-john-williams-andrew-lloyd-webber-go-disco/|title=Don't Cry For Me, Princess Leia: John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber Go Disco|first=Joe|last=Marchese|date=January 15, 2013|accessdate=September 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Q4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=boris+midney+festival+evita+argentina+billboard+chart&pg=RA1-PA100|title='Miami Mix' Makes People Cry Out For Single Release of Madonna's 'Argentina'|first=Chuck|last=Taylor|magazine=Billboard|date=25 January 1997|access-date= September 3, 2025|archive-date=23 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923094518/https://books.google.com/books?id=4Q4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=boris+midney+festival+evita+argentina+billboard+chart&pg=RA1-PA100|url-status=live}}</ref>

===English cast albums===
{| class="wikitable"
!Album
!Year of Release
!Country
!Type
!Principals
!Notes
|-
|[[Evita (album)|''Evita: An opera based on the life story of Eva Perón 1919 – 1952'']]
|1976
|UK
|Complete
* Peaked at number 6 in Australia in 1977.<ref name=aus/>
|
* Julie Covington
* Colm Wilkinson
* Paul Jones
* Barbara Dickson
|Cast assembled for studio recording; CD releases often mislabeled as the London Cast Recording
|-
|''Evita: Original London Cast Recording''
|1978
|UK
|Highlights
|
* Elaine Paige
* David Essex
* Joss Ackland
* Siobhan McCarthy
|Recording of the original London production
* Peaked at number 81 in Australia in 1980.<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=282}}</ref>
|-
|''Evita: Premiere American Recording''
|1979
|US
|Complete
|
* Patti LuPone
* Mandy Patinkin
* Bob Gunton
|Recording of the original Broadway production
|-
|''Evita: Premiere Australian Recording''
|1980
|AUS
|Highlights
|
|Recording of the original Australian production.
* Peaked at number 33 in Australia in 1980.<ref name=aus/>
|-
|''Evita: Highlights of the Original Broadway Production for the World Tour 89/90''
|1989
|US
|Highlights
|
* Florence Lacey
* James Sbano
* Robert Alton
* Suzan Postel
|Cast of the 1989/90 World Tour
|-
|''[[Evita (soundtrack)|Evita: The Complete Motion Picture Music Soundtrack]]''
|1996
|US
|Complete
|
* Madonna
* Antonio Banderas
* Jonathan Pryce
|Double-CD soundtrack of the motion picture. Highlights released separately as the single-CD ''Evita: Music from the Motion Picture''.
|-
|''Evita: 2006 London Cast Recording''
|2006
|UK
|Highlights
|
* Elena Roger
* Matt Rawle
* Philip Quast
|Recording of the 2006 London production
|-
|''Evita: New Broadway Cast Recording''
|2012
|US
|Complete
|
* Elena Roger
* Ricky Martin
* Michael Cerveris
|Recording of the 2012 Broadway production
|-
|EVITA
|2025
|UK
|Highlights
|
* Rachel Zegler
* Diego Andres Rodriguez
* James Olivas
|Recording of the 2025 London production
|}
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*Citron, Stephen, ''Sondheim & Lloyd-Webber: The New Musical'' (2001). New York: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-509601-0}}
*Fraser, Nicholas, and Navarro, Marysa. ''Evita: The Real Life of Eva Perón'' (1996). New York: W. W. Norton & Company. {{ISBN|0-393-31575-4}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Evita}}
*{{official|https://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/show/evita}}
*{{IBDB show}}
*{{Discogs release||Evita}}
* [https://archive.today/20130505070943/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Powerful-production-Evita/article-1027982-detail/article.html {{"'}}Powerful' Production of ''Evita''{{-"}}] ''Plymouth Herald'', 27 May 2009
* [http://www.kultur-fibel.de/Musical,Evita.htm ''Evita'' musical] {{in lang|de}}
* {{Playbill production|/evita-broadway-theatre-vault-0000012263|Evita|– Original}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150601102045/http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/12263/Evita archive])
* {{Playbill production|s/evita-marquis-theatre-vault-0000013852|Evita|– The revival}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150530075924/http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/13852/Evita archive])
* [https://archive.today/20130122132238/http://evitaonbroadway.com/ Official Broadway Site]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1we6O0CSYw ''Don't Cry for Hartlepool Marina'']
* [https://archive.org/details/sim_boston-phoenix_1982-10-26_11_43/page/4/mode/1up Boston production directed by Hal Prince] 

{{Maria Eva Duarte de Perón}}
{{Evita}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for ''Evita''
| list = 
{{DramaDesk Musical 1975–2000}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album}}
{{OlivierAward Musical 1976–2000}}
{{TonyAwardBestMusical 1976-2000}}
{{TonyAward MusicalBook 1976-2000}}
{{TonyAward MusicalScore 1976-2000}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
| list = 
{{Lloyd Webber and Rice}}
{{Andrew Lloyd Webber}}
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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Evita (Musical)}}
[[Category:1976 soundtrack albums]]
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[[Category:Musicals set in Argentina]]
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[[Category:Musicals set in the 1930s]]
[[Category:Musicals set in the 1940s]]
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[[Category:Plays about elections]]
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[[Category:Sung-through musicals]]
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[[Category:Tony Award for Best Musical]]
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