Chicago – “Oh, what a circus. Oh, what a show…” Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for the iconic Evita, based on the life of Argentinian First Lady Eva Perón. This Tony Award-winning musical features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and was originally directed by Harold Prince. Drury Lane’s production of Evita is directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and runs April 10 – June 14, 2020, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 8:00 p.m.
Evita features Michelle Aravena (Eva), Rodney Ingram (Che), Sean MacLaughlin (Perón), Paul Aguirre (Magaldi), Keila Hamed-Ramos (Mistress), and Nina Poulimas (Little Eva). The ensemble includes Alina Aquino, Clayton Cross, Anna Dreslinski, Kai Edgar, Leon Evans, Alejandro Fonseca, Samantha Gershman, Jeffrey Gorti, Jacqui Graziano, Paul-Jordan Jansen, Taylor Lane, Erica Mancini, Levi Merlo, Jessica Miret-Garcia, Jenna Napolitano, Thomas Ortiz, Emily Ramirez, Gray Randolph, Lisa Revis, Marisa Rivera, Lucas Segovia, Josh Pablo Szabo, Martín Ortiz Tapia, Arik Vega, Nicole Volpe, and Peyton Wilson.
The creative team for Evita includes Jo Ann Daugherty (Music Direction), Jennifer Reese (Scenic Design), Ryan Park (Costume Design), Yael Lubetzky (Lighting Design), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design), Cassy Schillo (Properties Design), Emily Young (Wig Design), Kate Cuellar (Dramaturgy), and Larry Baker (Production Stage Manager).
Based on true events, Evita tells the story of Eva Perón’s rags-to-riches life as she goes from poor provincial child to First Lady of Argentina. A champion of the working-class descamisados, she uses popularity and politics to serve her people – and herself. Featuring some of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most iconic songs, including “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina,” this musical masterpiece won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. The 1996 film adaptation was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning for Best Original Song.
Evita is rated PG.
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About the Artists
MICHELLE ARAVENA (Eva) returns to Drury Lane after her Jeff Award-winning portrayal as Anita in West Side Story. Broadway: A Bronx Tale, Rocky, Jersey Boys, and A Chorus Line (2006). National Tours: A Bronx Tale, West Side Story (dir. Arthur Laurents), Les Misérables, Jersey Boys, and Mamma Mia. Favorite Regional: Billy Elliot (Mrs. Wilkinson) with Goodspeed Opera House, Evita (Eva Perón) with St. Louis Rep, Guys and Dolls (Adelaide) with TUTS, Roe (Connie) with Asolo Rep, First Wives Club with Old Globe, A Chorus Line (Cassie) with Olney Theatre Center, World Goes Round (Woman 2) with Bucks County Playhouse, and Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie, Jeff nomination) with Drury Lane. Represented by Stewart Talent NY.
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RODNEY INGRAM (Che) Makes his Drury Lane debut with Evita. Rodney was last seen playing the title role in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. He also appeared as Raoul in the 30th anniversary Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera. Favorite regional credits include Little Mermaid (Prince Eric) with WPPAC, Little Women (Laurie) with Theatre Aspen, and Adam in Children of Eden. TV: Recurring in “Jane the Virgin” on the CW. Rodney is a graduate of CAP21 Conservatory in New York City.
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SEAN MACLAUGHLIN (Perón) Broadway/National Tours: Phantom of the Opera (Raoul), Evita (Perón), Lestat, The Woman in White, and Bombay Dreams. NY/regional: Rags (Sal; CT Critics Circle Nomination, Goodspeed Musicals); Evita (STL Theatre Circle Nomination, St. Louis Rep.); Chess: In Concert (Kennedy Center); House of Poe (Playwrights Horizons/NYMF); Promises Promises in Concert, The Audience, and Requiem for William (Transport Group); Jesus Christ Superstar (ACT); Follies (Signature Theatre); Merrily We Roll Along (Kennedy Center); Violet (Virginia Rep.). Film/TV: “Blue Bloods,” “For Life,” “Something The Lord Made,” “South Pacific in Concert at Carnegie Hall,” “The King,” “Joe,” “Wisco Queens,” “The Light Watcher,” “The Spectrum,” and the upcoming “Tao of Chess.” Sean is an award-winning Filmmaker/Producer known for Cinematography and Editing. Most recently shares the Ron Kovick Peace Prize for the South Sudan Documentary “Bullets to Books.”
Fact Sheet / Evita
Title: Evita
Lyrics by: Tim Rice
Music by: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Originally Directed by: Harold Prince
Drury Lane Production
Directed and
Choreographed by: Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Featuring: Michelle Aravena (Eva), Rodney Ingram (Che), Sean MacLaughlin (Perón), Paul Aguirre (Magaldi), Keila Hamed-Ramos (Mistress), and Nina Poulimas (Little Eva). The ensemble includes Alina Aquino, Clayton Cross, Anna Dreslinski, Kai Edgar, Leon Evans, Alejandro Fonseca, Samantha Gershman, Jeffrey Gorti, Jacqui Graziano, Paul-Jordan Jansen, Taylor Lane, Erica Mancini, Levi Merlo, Jessica Miret-Garcia, Jenna Napolitano, Thomas Ortiz, Emily Ramirez, Gray Randolph, Lisa Revis, Marisa Rivera, Lucas Segovia, Josh Pablo Szabo, Martín Ortiz Tapia, Arik Vega, Nicole Volpe, and Peyton Wilson.
Creative Team: Jo Ann Daugherty (Music Direction), Jennifer Reese (Scenic Design), Ryan Park (Costume Design), Yael Lubetzky (Lighting Design), Ray Nardelli (Sound Design), Cassy Schillo (Properties Design), Emily Young (Wig Design), Kate Cuellar (Dramaturgy), and Larry Baker (Production Stage Manager).
Dates: Previews: April 10 – 15, 2020
Regular run: April 16 – June 14, 2020
Press Opening: Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 8:00 p.m.
Schedule: Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.
Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Location: Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace
Tickets: Previews: $54 – $74
Single Tickets: $59 – $79
Wednesday and Thursday matinees: $64
Thursday and Sunday evenings: $74
Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees: $79
Senior Citizen tickets start at $54 for weekday matinees
Group tickets start at $40 for groups of 15 or more
Prix fixe menus available for pre- or post-show dining
Box Office: 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace
(630) 530-0111, Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000
or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com
Season and Subscription Information
The Regional Premiere of the beautifully captivating Gershwin musical An American in Paris (January 31 – March 29, 2020) concludes Drury Lane’s 2019/2020 Season.
Drury Lane Theatre’s 2020/2021 Season runs April 2020-March 2021 and includes two Tony Award-winning musicals—the unforgettable Evita, based on the life of Argentinian First Lady Eva Perón, and the treasured Rogers and Hammerstein musical The King and I. Drury Lane’s 66th season also includes the empowering tale of female friendship Steel Magnolias; Forever Plaid, an ode to the best of the 1950’s; and the family-friendly dance spectacular Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn. Subscription packages including all five spectacular productions start at only $170 and are on sale now. Subscribers also receive priority seating, dedicated theatre entrances, and a 20% discount on all food at the onsite Lucille Restaurant. For more information, visit DruryLaneTheatre.com/
The performance schedule for the 2020/2021 Season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Student group tickets start as low as $40 and Senior Citizens receive discounts for weekday matinees. On-site dining is available at Lucille Restaurant with convenient pre-show or post-show prix fixe menus. For individual ticket on-sale dates and ticket reservations, call the Drury Lane Theatre box office at (630) 530-0111 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com. To book a group of 15 or more, call Group Services at (630) 530-7272 or email [email protected]
About Drury Lane Theatre
Built from scratch. Built in Oakbrook. Built for you.
Founded by Anthony DeSantis over 60 years ago, Drury Lane remains a family-run organization under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis. Drury Lane Theatre continues as a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, producing world-class theatre in collaboration with some of the nation’s leading actors, directors, and creative minds. Drury Lane Theatre produces the highest quality theatrical experience that immerses and supports our artists and audiences in the exploration of what it means to be human and to experience the transcending power of the performing and visual arts. Drury Lane strives to create an environment in which every individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued and able to fully experience and participate in this transformative art form.
The theatre has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for over 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane proudly employs thousands of professional actors, musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members and counting.
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