Movie Actress Turned First Lady Turned Cancer Victim Turned Matyr: The Musical "Evita"(w2)

      Musical Appreciation Part 2: "Evita", by the master duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Evita is the story of Argentine First Lady Eva Duarte Perón, commonly called Evita. Her rise from an ambitious lower class working girl, to movie star, to wife of Argentine president Juan Perón is a tale of deceit, passion, corruption, hope, and the money that kept rolling in.

yet another famous balcony scene

         As with "West Side Story", I won't give a terrible amount away, as I encourage everyone to watch the movie (as productions of "Evita" are few and far between, and the movie so readily available).
   Eva Perón was a strong willed first lady, one who drew in her public with her reputation and communicative abilities through demonstration and connections. With her husband, they became idols of Argentina, inspiring this show of change. The true irony is that the Peróns did not incur much change. In fact, their Peronist party blatantly attacked opposition. Though Evita and Juan truly did want to help the descamisados, their political actions are shown in a honest light. This and other revelations are provided by the narrator of this musical, Che. This is not Che Guevara, but a simple, honest Che. In Argentina, "che" is similar to "dude, bro, girl, chica, etc." and is used as a colloquial add-on to speech. Thus, Che symbolizes the everyman of Argentina, the one hidden within the action who sees all.

Antonio Banderas is "Che" in the film "Evita"

     "Evita" may seem like a musical with some random subject matter, but it's ability to provide a social commentary on those in power and the role of media in our societies is highly effective. Evita's story, how she was placed on a pedestal and basically worshiped, provides insight on our own views of fame and popularity. This moving drama also happens to be backed by music and lyrics from Webber and Rice, long time stunning musicians.

   Enjoy Evita, and let Eva's journey and Che's many statements sweep you along to a world not so far form our own.