| RELATED INFO |
| * Purdue Convocations |
January 11, 2008
Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Evita' to come to Elliott stage
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
The performance is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of its Lively Arts series.
The winner of seven Tony Awards, "Evita" tells the epic story of the rise and fall of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, who captivated a nation by championing the working class. The musical brings to life her dynamic, larger-than-life persona.
Beginning its life as a concept album in 1976, "Evita" instantly became a global phenomenon, said Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations director of marketing. When it opened at the Broadway Theatre in 1979, "Evita" set records for the largest box office advance.
It went on to win seven 1979 Tony Awards. Tim Rice ("Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "The Lion King") won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score for "Evita," and Andrew Lloyd Webber ("Cats," "The Phantom of the Opera") won a Tony Award for Best Score. "Evita" played 1,568 performances before closing in 1983.
"Evita" became the first musical since the Rodgers and Hammerstein era to burst onto the world's pop charts. Four of the show's songs, including the breakout hit "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," were recorded globally.
A new generation was introduced to "Evita" in 1996 when Alan Parker's critically acclaimed film version opened, starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. The film received five Oscar nominations, winning for Best Song, and won three Golden Globes including Best Picture.
This national touring production is by Troika Entertainment.
Tickets for the Purdue performance are $20-45 for adults and $20-32 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students.
Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW. Tickets also are available through Ticketmaster outlets. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at (765) 496-1977.
Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu
Source: Kerry Schutt Nason, (765) 494-5045, knason@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Publication-quality photographs of Evita are available at https://www.purdue.edu/convos/evitaimages.shtml
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