Eva Peron, Argentina’s champion of the poor and advocate for women’s suffrage, continues to fascinate the world more than 60 years after her death.
The courageous spirit that beckons admirers to her tomb in La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires permeates “Evita,” the Tony Award-winning musical that debuted on Broadway in 1979 two years after taking London’s West End by storm.
The production arriving at the Kennedy Center Opera House on Tuesday boasts stunning choreography, costumes, set, sound and lighting design by the original creative team.
As the drama unfolds, the powerful musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice validates the influence wielded by the charismatic first lady of Argentina and the support her husband provided.
This stop on the yearlong tour is a homecoming for the actors portraying Eva and Juan Peron. Caroline Bowman grew up performing in schools and theaters in Howard County, Maryland, while Sean MacLaughlin, a native of Petersburg, Virginia, received his Equity card playing young Scrooge in a Ford’s Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol.”
“Returning to Washington, where I received so much training, and playing this role in the Kennedy Center Opera House, is a gift,” Mr. MacLaughlin told The Washington Times. “This takes me back to 2002, when I took part there in the ’Sondheim Celebration: Merrily We Roll Along.’
“It also gives me the opportunity to once again sing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music, which suits my voice so well. I played Raoul in his ’Phantom of the Opera’ on Broadway and on tour for 3 years before that. My other Broadway shows are his ’The Woman in White,’ Elton John’s ’Lestat’ and ’Bombay Dreams.’
“To prepare for Juan Peron, I did considerable research. His life was not all black or white. He was very methodical and regimented, typical of an outstanding chess player and boxer. As a chess player, I understand his focus on making choices. It wasn’t about his being a dictator and a force in Argentina. I think he had good intentions, but people took sides.
“When I began studying the role, I thought I might be too young, but Peron was younger than I am when he met Eva, so I quickly got past that,” Mr. MacLaughlin said. “The choice he made to marry Eva changed his life. My favorite scene comes toward the end of the second act, when he and Eva are together and she is dying. He understands the influence she has been to the people of Argentina, because she was born poor and always had them in mind.
“To express his feelings for her, he sings my favorite song in the show, ’She’s a Diamond.’ Audiences arrive knowing the most famous numbers, but they leave singing and humming this one and others that stick with you.”
In addition to reading books and articles about Juan Peron, Mr. MacLaughlin modeled his performance on his late grandfather, Major Gen. Victor MacLaughlin, who had been the commanding general of the U.S. Quartermaster Center at Fort Lee, Virginia.
Growing up on the Army base, he participated in the Fort Lee Playhouse shows for the troops stationed there and for local audiences. Since performing in “The King and I” at the age of 4, he has regarded the playhouse as his training ground.
Although he knew that show business would be his life by the time he entered Virginia Tech as a communications major, Mr. MacLaughlin added courses on photojournalism, film and graphic design to cover contingencies.
His first stop after college was Washington, beginning with a summer program at the Kennedy Center before plunging into the local theater scene. He regards Eric Schaeffer of Signature Theatre and David Bell of Ford’s Theater among his finest teachers.
After performing in Signature’s productions of “Follies,” “Into the Woods” and “Children of Eden,” Mr. MacLaughlin accompanied Mr. Schaeffer to Disneyland, where his mentor was directing “Snow White.”
While there, he received the offer to perform in “Bombay Dreams,” his first Broadway show. Now he travels with his wife, whom he met while on the road in “Phantom of the Opera,” their 18-month-old son and two dogs.
“I learned from the best directors and performers in Washington,” Mr. MacLaughlin said. “They taught me to broaden my horizon and express myself through musicals. Thanks to them, I even do the tango in this show.
“After living with ’Evita’ for more than a year, I want the audiences to take away the story’s warning: Look before you leap. Everyone wants to do something wonderful for mankind, but you must be careful to avoid hurting others along the way.”
If You Go
WHAT: “Evita,” the Tony Award-winning musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
WHERE: Kennedy Center Opera House
WHEN: Sept 30-Oct 19; 7:30 p.m. Tues. through Sun., 1:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun.
TICKETS: $39-$125; 202-467-4600; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org.
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