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E-mail StoryCamille Gavin: Students study to learn complexity behind ‘Evita’
| Wednesday, May 14 2008 11:22 AM
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 14 2008 11:17 AM
“Evita” tells the story — entirely in song and dance — of Eva Peron, the controversial wife of an Argentine dictator, who died more than a half-century ago, long before any of the students in the Cal State Bakersfield production were born.
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CSUB Theatrefest production
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 23 and 24; 2 p.m. May 25.
Where: Dore Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Highway
Tickets: $12, seniors $10, students $5
Details: Call 654-3150
Photos:
Jessica Trevino will portray "Evita" in CSUB's production.
The cast of the upcoming CSUB production of "Evita" beginning May 15 at 8 p.m. in the Dore Theatre.
I doubt that director Mandy Rees was alive then either — she may have been a toddler.
So how did she inform herself and her students? By using a realistic approach to give the 20-member cast a clearer picture of the characters they portray. Even before starting rehearsals Rees showed the students videos that included footage from old newsreels filmed during Peron’s time.
“On the very first day, all we did was watch a documentary on Eva Peron,” Rees said. “It was an A&E (cable channel) biography.”
This, she believes, has helped the actors understand the complexity of a woman who was both hated and loved. Peron rose from humble beginnings to become the wife of dictator Juan Peron and despite living an extravagant lifestyle, was revered by the poor people of Argentina. She was 33 when she died of cancer in 1953.
Jessica Trevino is featured as Evita — in Spanish, the name is an affectionate nickname for Eva — with Danvir Grewal as Che Guevara. Michael Mejia portrays the Argentine dictator Juan Peron.
The powerful music for “Evita” was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice. For the original Broadway production, Patti Lupone played the title role; Mandy Patinkin was Che Guevara. Some of the show’s more memorable songs are “Santa Evita,” “High Flying Adored,” and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.”
Rees, who is chairwoman of the theater department, said the musical has 23 scenes, which made it especially challenging. It was chosen because of its difficulty and because its production requires so much beyond what the audience sees onstage.
“The cast is only a part of the whole production,” she said. “Even the cast doesn’t understand the hours and hours of work being done behind the scenes. We have designers, choreographers, musicians, a conductor and a scene shop working at full speed. It’s a tremendous undertaking.”
Singers are being coached by Peggy Sears. A full orchestra led by Ron Christian will accompany each performance. Chris Eicher is designing the sets and lighting; Roger Upton, costumes; and Shari Fortino has choreographed an Argentine tango performed by Marilyn Stone.
'CURIOUS SAVAGE' AT BCT
Joyce Weingarden, Tim Fromm, Rob Lang and Jennie Babcock make up the cast of “Curious Savage,” which opened last weekend at Bakersfield Community Theatre, 2400 S. Chester Ave.
The play concerns a widow who is determined to use her $10 million inheritance to establish a memorial to honor her late husband. Her stepchildren are opposed to the idea and attempt to get the woman committed to an institution. Carla Stanley directs.
Althea Williams, the producer, said BCT is doing the show as a benefit for the Jamison Children’s Center. Theater-goers who bring an article of children’s clothing for donation will receive half off the $12 ticket price.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. For reservations, call 831-8114.
PATRIOTIC ART WINNERS Winners in the Bakersfield Art Association’s “Patriotic Art” competition were announced Friday at a reception at the Gallery of Art in East Hills Mall.
Bob Crabtree was awarded first place for his stunning “Air Show” photograph. Second place went to Charlotte White for “May Our Flag Wave,” and third to Mary Lou Slinkard for “Rodeo USA.” Chosen for the honorable mention category were Darla Lovett, Annabelle Poynter, Patti Doolittle and Gina Herrera.