ARTS
Friday, May 4, 1984
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The Michigan Daily
Page 8
First lady of song and Argentina
By Tracey Uselmann
I T MAY NOT have been The Great
White Way, but the Michigan
Theatre provided ample ambiance for
the Broadway production of Evita, a
modern opera by Tim Rice and Andrew
Lloyd Webber, that played to packed
houses last Friday and Saturday nights.
For Rice and Webber, the quasi-
political musical was a slight departure
from their two most recent efforts -
Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and
the Technicolor Dreamcoat - both in-
fluenced by the tremendous power of
religion and the way it permeates
society.
The Tony award winning musical ex-
plores the life of Eva Peron, the
charismatic wife of former Argentine
dictator Juan Peron, who rose from a
life of poverty and prostitution to the
height of popularity as social heroine of
Argentina's downtrodden masses.
Evita illustrates the hypocracy of
politics by delving into two often con-
flicting images: the public facade of
an endearing and benevolent woman
who symbolized freedom from poverty
and the corrupt and ruthless thirst for
power that motivated her.
In life, Evita's mass appeal provided
the vehicle for Juan's rise to power and
culminates with her appointment as
vice-president, before both were
deposed in a rightist military coup. In
death, she was immmortalized by sup-
porters who belived her life held
religious significance and sought
Vatican approval for canonization -
the first step toward sainthood.
Dance
Theatre
Studio
- 711 N. University
(near State St.)
Ann Arbor
Classes in ballet,
modern, jazz, tap.
4
Juan Peron (John Leslie Wolf) and his ambitious wife Evita (Florence Lacey) plan their voyage to the Argentine
dictatorship in 'Evita,' which played last week at the Michigan Theater.
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Juan's political savvy is displayed in
a scene involving a game of musical
chairs that is played by five politicians
who vie for leadership. The stakes -
ruler of Argentina - are high as Juan
plays the hazardous game of political
roulette.
Florence Lacey, recreating her role
as Eva Peron, brings passion and
romance to the stage in the chilling, yet
sympathetic portrayal of a woman who
is not afraid of playing dirty to get what
she wants.
The tragic irony of Evita's life is suc-
cessfully communicated to the audien-
ce as Lacey struts across the stage in
the gritty and agressive character. The
icy glow in her eyes shows a deter-
mination to play the role to its fullest -
not swayed by audience approval in
establishing a love/hate relationship.
John Leslie Wolf, playing Juan
Peron, was not quite as successful in
capturing the mood and rhythm of the
role. Wolf lacked strength in conveying
the twisted and corrupt power cravings
of the Argentine dictator.
An integral character in the musical
is Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara.
Although Evita and Che never actually
met, Rice and Webber added his
character to contrast the unyielding
dedication of a true revolutionary, who
is truly concerned with the pain and
suffering of the poor with the false, self-
interested concern of Evita. Tim
Bowman uniquely fits the ambiguity of
Che. Although Che faded in and out of
reality in the play, his presence was
always felt. Bowman adds just enough
sarcasm to make Che's message effec-
tive.
The highlight of the evening,.was of
course, Lacey's powerful rendition of
"Don't Cry for Me Argentina." Lacey
spared her audience the maudlin ex-
cesses of the popular song. She was
clear and pointed, which made for a
satisfying climax.
A dark stage set created an aura of
mystery around the three central
characters - Che, Evita and Juan. The
audience was allowed to think and in-
terpret - something which is too often
neglected in the modern theater.
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4-"
r
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Give peace
a chance
New classes begin May 7
For current class schedul(
and more
information: 995-4242
1-5 weekdays
You've heard of concerts featuring
classical pieces, but here's one
featuring classical peaces.
In a concert presented by the Latin
American Solidarity Committee and
the Michigan Alliance for Disar-
mament several of Ann Arbor's
premier musicians will perform a
variety of selections.
Among the pieces scheduled to be
performed are J.S. Bach's Suite in D
major by Enid Sutherland; Jean-
Marie Le Clair's Sonata for Two
Violins in D major by Sarah Sumner
and Daniel Foster; Songs of Handel
by Ellen Hargis, soprano, Lyndon
Lawless, violin, and Barbara Weiss,
harpsichord. In addition Weiss will
play a few solo pieces.
The concert is tomorrow night only,
at 7:30 p.m. in the Pendleton Room of
the Michigan Union. Admission is $4
and $3 for students.
- Joseph Kraus
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