Evita

:This article concerns Evita the musical. For the historical person, see Eva Per?n.

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Like Rice and Lloyd Webber's previous hit, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita began life as an album, released in 1975, with Julie Covington singing the lead role. Other parts were played by Paul Jones (Juan Per?n), Barbara Dickson (the mistress), Colm Wilkinson (Che, the narrator) and Tony Christie (Agustin Magaldi). Covington's recording of "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" reached Number One on the UK charts, in February 1977. The single had similar success internationally. Dickinson's "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" also became a hit. In Britain, Australia, South Africa, South America, and various parts of Europe, sales of Evita exceeded those of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Concept Album never achieved the same level of success in the United States, however.

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When it arrived on the West End stage at the Prince Edward Theatre on June 21, 1978, Evita was played by Elaine Paige, who had been selected from a large number of hopefuls after Julie Covington elected not to take the role. Che was played by Pop singer David Essex and Peron by Joss Ackland. The show successfully transferred to Broadway in 1979 and starred Patti LuPone as Evita, Mandy Patinkin as Che, and Bob Gunton as Per?n. Both the London and New York productions were directed by Harold Prince.

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Plans were soon in place for a film, which was originally to have starred Barbra Streisand or Liza Minnelli as Eva and Barry Gibb or Barry Manilow as Che and was to have been directed by Ken Russell. This did not materialise, and it was not until the 1996 film Evita that the theatrical production came to the big screen with Madonna in the title role, Antonio Banderas as Che and Jonathan Pryce as Per?n. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Original Song ("You Must Love Me").

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The show was the final collaboration of Rice and Lloyd Webber.

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Jesus Christ Superstar: Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Introduced in 1970, it highlights the political and interpersonal struggles of Judas Iscariot and Jesus. The action takes place within the last week of Jesus's life, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with th...

1975: 1975 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar)....

Julie Covington: Julie Covington (born 1950) is an English singer and actress best known for recording the original version of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"....