Ok, so I admit, I'm a huge Evita nerd. Have seen it a million times (the original production...I'm old!). Let's see if I can remember them all...I'm sure I'm leaving some out:
Loni Ackerman, Derin Altay, Valerie Perri, Florence Lacey (original Los Angeles production)
Stephanie Lawrence, Siobhan McCarthy, Jacquey Chappell, Kathryn Evans (original London production)
Donna Marie Elio (now Asbury) on tour
Natalie Toro, Ana Maria Andracain (20th anniversary tour)
Kathy Voytko (25th anniversary tour)
My all time favorite is definitely Siobhan McCarthy (who was the original Mistress when Elaine Paige played Eva). She came back to the show a couple of years into the run (she was like 24 years old) and was sensational. Great actress, distinctive voice, movie-star looks (think of a young but much more gorgeous Bette Davis) and loads of attitude. She did have a very strong Irish accent in those days, though it didn't bother me.
She went on to be the original Donna in "Mamma Mia" besides doing lots of other shows in London (Superstar, Les Miz, Blood Brothers, Chess). I still don't know why she isn't more famous.
Every one of those original-production ladies was wonderful in her way, especially Stephanie Lawrence, who sadly passed away a few years back at the age of 50.
The newer Evas (Toro, Andracain, Voytko) did not live up to my memories of the first-generation actresses. They lacked the vocal chops (though they were by no means bad) and really missed the fire and energy of the role.
Donna Marie Elio was only 22 when I saw her, and these days, she'd be just about the right age to do the show again. Someone should cast her as Evita soon
Thanks for going down memory lane with me.
John
PS: I had the good fortune to share the stage with some fabulous Evitas in regional theatre in the mid to late 80s. Julie Waldman and Julie Dixon Jackson. They were fabulous too!
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