The
first question asked about the musical “Evita” is about the actress
playing the lead and, in the touring company opening night at the
Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center, Caroline Bowman takes command and
makes the role her own. Her transition from a lower class 15 year old
girl to the first lady of Argentina climbing the ladder by sleeping with
men who can help her is done with more her acting and presence than
with wigs, makeup and costumes. Her voice handles one of the most
difficult theatre musical scores with the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
and the words by Tom Rice and with the aid of an excellent sound system
you hear almost every word. Along with a voice and acting ability Bowman
is a good dancer, with what may be called ‘Cyd Charisse’ legs, showing
them at many opportune times in slit skirt outfits. In her dancing duet
number, “Waltz For Eva and Cher “ she gets a great chance to show off
her dancing skills and legs.

Josh Young, playing the role of Che,
is a dynamite performer who takes the role and the songs a level higher
than a performer normally would and his command on the stage is
riveting.

Sean MacLaughlin, as Juan Peron presents a striking
figure. He does not stand out as much as his two co-stars mainly 
because his role is not written that way. Krystina Alabado, as Peron’s
mistress pre Eva, shines in her solo, “Another Suitcase In Another
Hall”.

With a singing/dancing ensemble of 22 plus 7 traveling
musicians and 12 local musicians the score gets to shine in such
familiar numbers as “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, “Buenos Aires” along
with the lesser known numbers and many times the choreography, by  Chris
Bailey based on this production’s  original by Rob Ashford, is a
standout.

This is a dark show more than in its story but also in
its sets, lighting and costumes, with the exception of Evita’s many
different colors of white outfits, and its ending but as musical theatre
it has become a classic that holds up 38 years after its original
production.