Rachel Zegler stars as Evita in London revival as the first official images from Jamie Lloyd’s new production at the London Palladium are shared on social media, giving fans a glimpse of the much-anticipated show. Previews began June 14, and photos and videos from early performances are already sparking conversations ahead of the musical’s September closing date.
Jamie Lloyd’s Direction Revives Evita With Rachel Zegler in the Lead
The limited engagement of Evita at the London Palladium holds particular significance due to Jamie Lloyd’s direction and the casting of Rachel Zegler, known for her roles in West Side Story and Romeo + Juliet, as Eva Perón. Official production photos featuring Zegler in character were released through the musical‘s Instagram account, while audience-captured videos of her balcony performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” quickly appeared online. These clips also included moments from the curtain call, such as Diego Andres Rodriguez’s energetic stage presence.
Joining Zegler is Diego Andres Rodriguez, portraying Che, whose stage experience includes Broadway’s Sunset Blvd. James Olivas takes the role of Juan Perón, with Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi and Bella Brown as both The Mistress and alternate Eva. The supporting cast, or ensemble, features Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, Kyeirah D’Marni, Sally Frith, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Natasha Leaver, Michael Lin, Dianté Lodge, Louis Mackrodt, Mireia Mambo, Mia Mullarkey, Perry O’Dea, Alysha Sontae, Monica Swayne, Jon Tsouras, and Harrison Wilde. Additionally, young performers Auora Breslin, Lois Haidar, Siena Merilind-Wu, and Ffion Rosalie Williams alternate as The Child. The production includes multiple swings such as Myla Carmen, Barney Hudson, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Ricardo Spriggs, and Regan Bailey Walker, ready to step into various ensemble roles.
Creative Team Blends New Vision With Familiar Elements
This revival is notable for reuniting much of the original creative team from Jamie Lloyd’s 2019 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre staging. Choreography is led by Fabian Aloise; set and costume design is by Soutra Gilmour. Alan Williams returns as music supervisor and musical director, Jon Clark handles lighting, and Adam Fisher joins as sound designer. Will Burton oversees UK casting, with Jim Carnahan handling US casting. The team extends to Carole Hancock (wig, hair, and makeup designer), Harry Blumenau (children‘s casting director and administrator), Kate Waters (fight director), Lily Mollgaard (prop supervisor), and Ingrid Mackinnon (intimacy coordinator). Orchestral management is by Andy Barnwell and Rich Weedon for BW Musicians.
The storyline of Evita tracks the life of Eva Duarte, a young woman from Los Toldos who rises from a humble background to become an actress and eventually the First Lady of Argentina. Tragically, Eva dies of cancer at only 33. The score, by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, includes iconic songs like “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Buenos Aires,” “Rainbow High,” and “High Flying Adored.”
Echoes of the Musical’s Legacy and Previous Triumphs
Evita first found life as a double LP in 1976, when Julie Covington starred as Eva and Colm Wilkinson played Che. The original stage production was directed by Harold Prince in both London and New York, with Elaine Paige debuting as Eva in London in 1978. The Broadway production, a year later, saw Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone taking on the leading roles, and the show won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, who also worked together on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar, completed their major musical collaborations with Evita.
Evita’s story has continued on screen and stage: Madonna, Antonio Banderas, and Jonathan Pryce starred in the 1996 film adaptation. Broadway’s last major revival was in 2012 with Elena Roger and Ricky Martin. Attempts to bring the show back to major New York stages have included a 2019 City Center production directed by Sammi Cannold, with Solea Pfeiffer and Maia Reficco sharing the title role. That version also traveled to Washington D.C. and Cambridge, Massachusetts, yet did not announce future plans. Jamie Lloyd previously directed Evita at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2019, laying the groundwork for his current London Palladium staging.
The Production’s Timeline and Ticket Information
The current London revival is set to run through September 6, with performances scheduled at the London Palladium. The show is produced by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, in partnership with Lloyd for The Jamie Lloyd Company, and in arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain: Photo Highlights and Rehearsals
Among those involved in the revival are key cast members and creatives such as Jamie Lloyd, Bella Brown, Mia Mullarkey, Natasha Leaver, Shakara Brown, Mireia Mambo, Carl Au, Sally Frith, Ricardo Spriggs, Kyeirah D’Marni, Barney Hudson, Regan Bailey Walker, Perry O’Dea, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Nathan Louis Ferdinand, Myla Carmen, Monica Swayne, Aaron Lee Lambert, Louis Mackrodt, Damian Buhagiar, Alysha Sontae, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Jon Tsouras, Harrison Wilde, Diego Andres Rodriguez, James Olivas, Gabriella Benedetti, and Dianté Lodge. Their presence in photos from rehearsals and early performances further builds anticipation for audiences.
Rachel Zegler’s leadership in the revival and the collaborative dynamic among the cast and creative team reinforce the significance of this production in London’s theater scene, adding to the long-standing impact of Evita as a cultural phenomenon. With previews underway and images circulating widely, expectations are high for both critical acclaim and audience response as this revival continues its run.
