Impactful ‘Evita’ Rises at Silhouette Stages

 

Samantha McEwen Deininger as Eva (C), Matt Sheer as Peron (R)
and J.R. Hontz (L)

With the U.S elections right upon us, there is, as you can observe, much political drama, apprehension, divisiveness and anger. With all that, our politics is quite tame (so far) compared to other periods in our world’s history.  The political atmosphere during the 1940’s to 1950’s in Argentina, which was at times tumultuous and deadly, forms the backdrop for the award-winning musical Evita that is kicking off Columbia Maryland’s Silhouette Stages’ 20^th season.

Despite some sound snafus, particularly with the mic’s on opening night, the talented and diverse cast and crew of Evita deliver a stellar production of this musical classic. Hopefully, the sound issues will be ironed out in future performances.

Andrew Lloyd Weber’s music and Tim Rice’s lyrics powered Evita to seven Tony Awards in 1980 with the musical achieving considerable success throughout the world. The lyrics and storyline of the musical are based on Mary Main’s biography, Evita: The Woman with the Whip.

The story, told mostly through song, spans the rise to prominence of Eva Duarte from her impoverished beginnings at the age of 15 to her ascent to power by becoming Argentina’s First Lady, Eva Perón, and concluding with her early death at the age of 33. The action depicting her story takes place between 1934 and 1952.

Along the way, Eva was a radio actress who had reportedly slept around to gain advantage. She met a military colonel Juan Perón at an earthquake relief concert and eventually became his wife prior to his becoming the country’s president.

Brian Dauglash as Che

She started a charitable foundation and connected with Argentina’s women and the powerless.  However, she was reviled by the country’s wealthy elite class and the military.

While historians and authors have debated over the years the historical accuracy of Rice’s portrayal of Eva derived from Main’s work, the production at Silhouette Stages will please no matter your political persuasion.

Daniel Douek directed, and Amie Bell choreographed this adroitly performed iteration of Evita.  The direction is taut and well-paced; the choreography is precise and plentiful. The dancing in such numbers as "Buenos Aires" and "And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)" is outstanding.  There is much motion and activity on the stage adding to the dynamism of the show.

Lloyd Weber’s splendid score encompasses an eclectic array of music including classical, rhythmic and ballads.  “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” sung by Samantha McEwen Deininger as Eva is the show’s popular signature song with its emotional might.  “And the Money Kept Rolling in (And Out)” is a favorite of mine not just for the musicality and clever lyrics but also for its snappy choreography. Other notable songs include the well-choreographed “Buenos Aires,” “Oh What a Circus,” “The Art of the Possible,”  “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” and “You Must Love Me.”

"...the talented and diverse cast and crew of Evita deliver a stellar production of this musical classic."

Samantha McEwen Deininger, an accomplished musical artist, plays the role of Eva with passion and nuance.  (Patti LuPone, who starred in the original Broadway production of Evita, characterized the vocal demands of the role as “a part that could only have been written by a man who hates women.”)

Ms. Deininger overcomes that challenge with her big and crystal clear soprano voice. She soars in many of the show’s numbers amid innumerable costume changes. Ms. Deininger is especially effective in the duet with Perón (Matt Sheer) in “I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You” and as a solo, the tender ballad “You Must Love Me,” a song that was actually written for the 1996 film adaptation of the musical.

Another superb performance is turned in by Brian Dauglash as Che. The name suggests that the character is the revolutionary Che Guevara who happened to have been Argentine.  No Che-related military attire and no other references to Guevara are in the show.  Instead, Che is generic and performs as the story’s “narrator” who binds the plotline together.

Matt Sheer as Perón (L), Samantha McEwen Deininger (R)

Mr. Dauglash is onstage a vast majority of the time and performs in all but a few of the show’s musical numbers including several duets with Ms. Deininger. He possesses a solid voice that because of the required workload, his vocals must stay strong throughout.  And they do.  When called on to dance, he does so very effectively.  Mr. Dauglash, with his energy and strength, commands the stage throughout the production.

Matt Sheer as Perón has a potent stage presence befitting the character and demonstrates vocal prowess particularly in “She is a Diamond.”

Henry Cyr who was superb in Silhouette Stages presentation of The Wedding Singer and is the theatre’s Artistic Director plays the role of Magaldi, Eva’s one-time flame. He performs extremely well in “On This Night of a Thousand Stars” and “Charity Concert” though he was unfortunately hampered by mic difficulties on the night this performance was reviewed.

Julie Mimms makes a brief appearance as Perón’s Mistress whom Eva dismisses and send her on her way.  Her lovely rendition of the emotional ballad “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” is rightly gentle.

On stage during most of the show is the wonderful Ensemble who symbolizes the people of Argentina.  They, too, perform in a wide variety of vocal numbers and dance routines and do so with meticulousness.

Other members of the talented Ensemble include Felicity Clark and Kenna Mayo as the Children of Argentina, Megan Barnes, Jason Britt, Libby Burgess, Judah-Isaac Canizares, Tori Farnsworth, J.R. Hontz, Jae Jones, Gillian Keirn, John Lynch, Glennyce Lynn, Erica Miller, Otega Okurume, Nathanael Quay, Katie Sheldon, Jose Reyes Teneza, Nick Thompson and Carolina Tomasi.

Scenic Designer Kateri Pelton and team erected a functional set including the iconic balcony. The stage is uncluttered allowing the performers to move freely throughout the show. Chris Uelinger as the Projection Designer, used the screen on the back of the balcony to display shots of rooms, buildings of Buenos Aires and some abstract images to convey the periods of time as the show evolves through the years. Lighting Designer Brad Ranno is also effective in amplifying the optics.

Ensemble

Costume Designers Tricia Anderson and Tara Herbert (who are also the Makeup Designers) and Tommy Malek’s Wig Design lend authenticity to the production. The period costumes including military garb is realistic, and Eva’s gowns are particularly stunning.

The U.S. is at the precipice of electing its first ever woman president. Eva Perón was poised to be Argentina’s vice-president over 70 years ago but her illness and eventual death at the age of 33 prevented that occurrence. The production of Evita is both timely in noting the significance of how women must overcome the odds to rise up and is also vastly entertaining in its presentation. It should not be missed.

Running time. Two hours and 15 minutes with an intermission.

Evita plays on weekends through November 3 at the Slayton House Theatre, 10400 Cross Fox Ln, Columbia, MD 21044. For tickets, call 410-730-3987 visit online.

Photos: Shealyn Jae Photography