When: Thu., Aug. 11, 7 p.m., Fri., Aug. 12, 8 p.m., Sat., Aug. 13, 2 & 8 p.m., Sun., Aug. 14, 2 p.m., Thu., Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Fri., Aug. 19, 8 p.m., Sat., Aug. 20, 2 & 8 p.m., Sun., Aug. 21, 2 p.m., Thu., Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Fri., Aug. 26, 8 p.m., Sat., Aug. 27, 2 & 8 p.m. and Sun., Aug. 28, 2 p.m. 2011
Eva Perón, the First Lady of Argentina and “Spiritual Leader of the Nation,” was one of those public figures with charisma so huge that it continued to resonate in the hearts of the Argentinian people even after her death. And also in the myogenic muscular organ of Andrew Lloyd Webber, who wrote a musical based on her life, titled with the diminutive by which Perón is still best known, Evita. Whereas most musicals are basically plays with songs that punctuate emotional peaks, nearly everything in Evita is sung by the cast, as in classical opera, but instead of Italian or German, Tim Rice’s lyrics are in what the Alabamans call “American.” Tonight’s 7 p.m. opening of the production at the Off Center Theater at Crown Center (2450 Grand) stars Katie Karel, Tim Scott and Christopher Sanders. For tickets, call 816-842-9999. Admission is $15 to $29. For more information, see musicaltheaterheritage.com.
— Chris Packham
