Evita at the Shakes

Posted on by Thor

Evita is a musical based on the book and lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It charts the young and ambitious Eva Duarte’s meteoric rise to sainthood. The play opened with an audience trying to watch a film, which is interrupted by the news flash that Eva Perón had died.The blood curdling screams made it clear that a great and beloved soul had been lost.

The set by scenic designer Jim Hunter made the rise to the iconic balcony scene accessible via a spiral staircase. Pam had a good laugh because I was blocking in the set in my sketch, when all of the pieces of staging on casters were rolled to new locations up stage.

Evita (Yael Reich) had a passion for life and she went through a revolving door of lovers, each of which brought her rising fame. She was a humble actress who wanted to rise above her middle class upbringing.

Juan Perón (Rodrigo
Ignacio Cruz) was also rising in power through the ranks of the military. Generals played a game of musical rocking chairs to see who lasted on the way to the top. When he and Eva met they were the perfect fit. Eva marched into his home and kicked out his young mistress.

Since she was from the streets, the people loved her but the elite snubbed her. Despite not being accepted into the ruling class, she initiated reforms that would help the people of Argentina.

Che (Dan Domenech) was a true revolutionary who saw her reforms as ways to win the love of the public instead of truly offering the people the power of democracy.  Evita’s passionate life was lived as a candle burning from both ends. Under her bold impassioned pleas there was a delicate frame. For one song she stood beside me in the aisle and belted out her song. I was amazed at the purity and strength of her voice in such a small frame.

Evita runs through October 6, 2019 

TICKET INFORMATION

PRICING

Wednesdays – Saturdays
at 7:30 p.m. and every Sunday and select Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. – starting at
$35

Preview Performances and
Senior Matinees – starting at $25

DISCOUNTS (May not be combined
with any other offers)

Group Sales: 20% off
groups of 10+

Student Rush: $25 – 30
minutes prior to show w/ valid student ID

Student and
Active/Retired Military: $10 off single ticket prices w/ valid ID (Only available
in Price Levels A and B)

$25 Under 35: Patrons
under 35 years old can purchase $25 tickets for evening and weekend matinee
performances during September 18-22. Call the Box Office at (407) 447-1700 ext.
1 or purchase online with code word: 25UNDER35 (Only available in Price Levels
B and C.)

Senior Matinees: September 18, &
25 and October 2 at 2:00 p.m.

Talk Back Performance: September 29 at 2:00
p.m.

In The Heights at Shakes

Posted on by Thor

When I worked as an illustrator in NYC I lived for 10 years in Washington Heights. Rent was cheap and I had a large railroad style apartment a few blocks for the George Washington Bridge. In the Heights based on a book by Quiara Algria Hudes and with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda is set in my old stomping grounds. The corner bodega in Jim Hunter‘s set could very well have been the spot I went each week to get milk and eggs.

I had seen In the Heights once before and I love the shows guttural energy. The show opens with Usnavi (Ernie Pruneda) opening his corner bodega early in the morning as the Heights come alive. The lyrics are delivered in fast paced rap and before long I was addicted to the beat. Sonny (Zach Infante) is Usnavi’s sassy, superficially lazy, yet ambitious younger cousin. Abuela Claudia (Alina Alcántara) is the loving matriarch of the barrio who knows everybody and is like a
grandmother to all. She looked after Usnavi when his parents died. He was born on the long passage to America, and he was named by the first American sign his parents saw, US Navey.

Across from Usnavi’s shop is a taxi dispatch office called Rosario’s. Mr Rosario (Juan Cantú) has invested in his daughter Nina’s (Iliana Garcia) college education so she can have a better life than his. She becomes a shining hope for the entire neighborhood that it is possible to live the American dream. She returns to the Heights and is welcomed by everyone. Benny (Deon’te Goodman) is working dispatch although struggling since his Spanish is weak. In a playful way, Nina teaches Benny how to brush up on his Spanish. There is clearly chemistry between them. Nina confesses that she could not keep up with the work load to pay for books she didn’t have time to read at college. There is chaos in the Rosario household when this bomb shell hits.

Usnavi and Nina’s stories run parallel with aspirations to live the American dream seemingly stifled in their North Manhattan neighborhood. They both come to realize however that the vibrant culture of where they are is as important as their dreams and aspirations and both are important for their future.

In the Heights from September 12 through October 7, 2018 don’t miss it.

Shakes (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803)

Tickets are between $22 and $42

West Side Story rumbles into the Shakes.

Posted on by Thor

West Side Story will be performed in the Margeson Theater at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL) from September 7th to October 9th. I Stopped into the scenic shop to see the New York City set under construction. Jeff Ferree explained that carpet had to be installed on the second tier of the set, to reduce noise as actors walked. Jeff used the lift to get a roll of carpet up and then three stage hands rolled it out. One corner hung precariously over ledge. If anyone stepped o this overhanging carpet they would fall to the stage floor. Jeff used a carpet knife to cut away the excess carpet. To try and smooth the carpet out, he leaped forward multiple times like a kangaroo to try and stretch the carpet flat. 

At the same time lights were being turned on and off from the lighting booth. Someone with a walkie talkie confirmed when the correct lights came on. A few were out of place and will likely be replaced. The large bridge like structure is part of the set that is lowered into place during the fight scenes. Jeff showed me the set rendering designed by Jim Hunter, and it will look gritty and gorgeous. Large sections of steal mesh fence need to be scavenged for stage right. There is a virtual walk through of the set which is apparently quite impressive. 

West Side Story is based on a concept of Jerome Robbins, a book by Arthur Laurents with Music by Leonard Bernstein and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Idealistic young lovers Maria and Tony find themselves
caught between rival street gangs, the American Jets and the Puerto
Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence,
and prejudice is one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, and
relevant musical dramas of our time. West Side Story’‘s legendary jazz,
Latin, and classical-inspired score features the treasured songs
““Something’‘s Coming,“” ““Tonight,” ““I Feel Pretty,” and ““America.“The movie came out the year I was born, and the story is still as fresh, vibrant and reliant as it was back then.” Tickets are between $18 and $33.