Herald & Review (Decatur, IL)
September 28, 1991
Section: Life
Page: C5
Sophomore dazzles in demanding ‘Evita’ role
Review
David Burke
Early on in “Evita,” the character of a slick lounge singer makes a nasty comment about his fans:
“The audience is sitting on their hands.”
That wasn’t the case Friday night, when the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber musical opened at Millikin University to an enthusiastic crowd.
As Eva Peron, wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Heather Reis was simply dazzling. She made the transformation from lowly cabaret singer to female leader, (sometimes maniacal) of Argentina.
Reis’ voice was strong, movements well-placed and smile near-constant in the demanding lead role. Her face showed the transformation of Evita, with age and illness creeping in before the finale, a climactic death scene.
Junior Salvatore Ingurgio of Schaumburg was likewise brilliant as Che. Che, a guerrilla, served the musical not only as a confidante to Evita but as a sometimes smirking, sometimes somber, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes spiteful combination of narrator and Greek chorus.
Junior Jason Hesselton of Dundee has the role of Juan Peron, who is reduced to watching his wife’s transformation. As the singer Magaldi, Keith Bryan Moschea, junior from Whitefish Bay, Wis., serves as a transition from Evita’s old to new life. Indianapolis junior Kelli Shrewsbury, as Peron’s mistress, has a sweet voice for her song, “Another Suitcase.”
Very few musicals can get by with only five leading roles, but “Evita” succeeds. The five, especially Reis and Ingurgio, have a heavy load placed on
their shoulders and accomplish their task.
Musical directors Stephen Fiol and Maria Klott helped in bringing a rich sound from both children’s and adults’ choruses. Some of the songs, however, proved to be a large obstacle for many cast members. The Rice-Webber score moves at such a clip that words are lost during the midand uptempo songs of the show.
Credit costuming the large ensemble to Eileen Smith. It appeared everyone in the cast had at least two changes of clothes, and Smith put together a variety of outfits, especially 25 matching soldier costumes.
Choreographer Lynne Snyder’s staging of the waltz between Evita and Che — even though the two never touch -is splendid.
But the largest kudos go to director David Golden. He made some clever staging moves in the show. The rear screen projectors showing the scenes and real-life pictures of Evita are a nice touch, as was the revolving door of Evita’s bedroom.
Golden has brought out the strengths of his cast for the high and low emotional points of the musical, and the life of “Evita.”
————————-David Burke is a Herald & Review staff writer.
‘Evita’
Principal characters
Evita Peron...Heather Reis
Che.....Salvatore Ingurgio
Juan Peron..Jason Hesselton
Magaldi.....Keith Moschea
Peron’s mistress........Kelli Shrewsbury
Crew
Director.....David Golden
Choreography..Lynne Snyder
Set and Lighting.Doug Molash
Costumes....Eileen Smith
Musical director.Stephen Fiol
Orchestra director........A. Wesley Tower
Presented by the Millikin University theater department at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes. Evening performances are at 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens, and available at the box office (424-6318).
September 28, 1991
Section: Life
Page: C5
Sophomore dazzles in demanding ‘Evita’ role
Review
David Burke
Early on in “Evita,” the character of a slick lounge singer makes a nasty comment about his fans:
“The audience is sitting on their hands.”
That wasn’t the case Friday night, when the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber musical opened at Millikin University to an enthusiastic crowd.
As Eva Peron, wife of Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Heather Reis was simply dazzling. She made the transformation from lowly cabaret singer to female leader, (sometimes maniacal) of Argentina.
Reis’ voice was strong, movements well-placed and smile near-constant in the demanding lead role. Her face showed the transformation of Evita, with age and illness creeping in before the finale, a climactic death scene.
Junior Salvatore Ingurgio of Schaumburg was likewise brilliant as Che. Che, a guerrilla, served the musical not only as a confidante to Evita but as a sometimes smirking, sometimes somber, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes spiteful combination of narrator and Greek chorus.
Junior Jason Hesselton of Dundee has the role of Juan Peron, who is reduced to watching his wife’s transformation. As the singer Magaldi, Keith Bryan Moschea, junior from Whitefish Bay, Wis., serves as a transition from Evita’s old to new life. Indianapolis junior Kelli Shrewsbury, as Peron’s mistress, has a sweet voice for her song, “Another Suitcase.”
Very few musicals can get by with only five leading roles, but “Evita” succeeds. The five, especially Reis and Ingurgio, have a heavy load placed on
their shoulders and accomplish their task.
Musical directors Stephen Fiol and Maria Klott helped in bringing a rich sound from both children’s and adults’ choruses. Some of the songs, however, proved to be a large obstacle for many cast members. The Rice-Webber score moves at such a clip that words are lost during the midand uptempo songs of the show.
Credit costuming the large ensemble to Eileen Smith. It appeared everyone in the cast had at least two changes of clothes, and Smith put together a variety of outfits, especially 25 matching soldier costumes.
Choreographer Lynne Snyder’s staging of the waltz between Evita and Che — even though the two never touch -is splendid.
But the largest kudos go to director David Golden. He made some clever staging moves in the show. The rear screen projectors showing the scenes and real-life pictures of Evita are a nice touch, as was the revolving door of Evita’s bedroom.
Golden has brought out the strengths of his cast for the high and low emotional points of the musical, and the life of “Evita.”
————————-David Burke is a Herald & Review staff writer.
‘Evita’
Principal characters
Evita Peron...Heather Reis
Che.....Salvatore Ingurgio
Juan Peron..Jason Hesselton
Magaldi.....Keith Moschea
Peron’s mistress........Kelli Shrewsbury
Crew
Director.....David Golden
Choreography..Lynne Snyder
Set and Lighting.Doug Molash
Costumes....Eileen Smith
Musical director.Stephen Fiol
Orchestra director........A. Wesley Tower
Presented by the Millikin University theater department at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes. Evening performances are at 8 p.m. today, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens, and available at the box office (424-6318).
Copyright, 1991, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL