As Jamie Lloyd’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita approaches the end of its run on September 6 at the London Palladium, a new track titled Rainbow High, performed by Rachel Zegler, has been released from the forthcoming cast album. The album highlights Zegler’s role and adds to the excitement surrounding the production’s musical revival.
The first single from the album, Zegler’s rendition of the iconic Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, previously topped the official U.K. Vinyl Singles Chart on three separate occasions, demonstrating strong audience response ahead of the full album’s launch.
Tracklist and Album Details Announced for Evita Recording
The new cast album will feature ten tracks, including notable songs such as Oh What A Circus, Buenos Aires, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and You Must Love Me, the latter originally written for the 1996 film adaptation starring Madonna. Two additional tracks,
“I’d Be Surprisingly Good for You,”
and
“And The Money Kept Rollin’ In (And Out),”
are also part of the collection, emphasizing depth in the musical’s narrative.
Recorded live at the London Palladium earlier this summer, the album will be made available across multiple platforms, including digital formats, white and blue marble vinyl, and CD. Cast members Diego Andres Rodriguez, James Olivas, Aaron Lee Lambert, and Bella Brown also contribute to the recording alongside Zegler. Pre-orders are currently open through official outlets.
Key Cast and Creative Team Behind the Evita Revival
Rachel Zegler stars as Eva Duarte, portraying the story of a young woman who rises from obscurity to become the First Lady of Argentina. Diego Andres Rodriguez plays Che, a role he previously appeared in during his Broadway debut in Lloyd Webber’s revival of Sunset Blvd. James Olivas is cast as Juan Perón, Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi, and Bella Brown performs as The Mistress and alternate Eva.
The ensemble features a diverse group including Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, and Natasha Leaver among others, supported by a swings team responsible for several roles. Four performers, Auora Breslin, Lois Haidar, Siena Merilind-Wu, and Ffion Rosalie Williams, share the role of The Child.
The production’s creative leadership includes choreographer Fabian Aloise, set and costume designer Soutra Gilmour, and music supervisor and musical director Alan Williams. Lighting and sound design are handled by Jon Clark and Adam Fisher respectively, with all except Fisher reprising their 2019 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre roles. Casting responsibilities fall to Will Burton and Jim Carnahan for U.S. casting.
Historical Context and Legacy of Evita
Evita follows the true story of Eva Duarte, born in Los Toldos, Argentina, who transformed from a humble background into an actress and ultimately the nation’s First Lady, before her untimely death at 33. The show includes classics like Don’t Cry for Me Argentina and Rainbow High, underscoring her rise and influence.
The original Evita premiered in 1976 as a two-LP concept album starring Julie Covington, with Colm Wilkinson performing as Che. Harold Prince directed the first London and Broadway runs, where stars Elaine Paige, Mandy Patinkin, and Patti LuPone appeared. The Broadway premiere secured seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, solidifying the show’s lasting impact. This production marked the final major collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, following successes with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Previous and Recent Evita Productions Leading to Current Revival
The 1996 film adaptation starred Madonna, Antonio Banderas, and Jonathan Pryce, introducing the musical to a broader audience. Since then, the most recent Broadway revival occurred in 2012, featuring Elena Roger and Ricky Martin. Although there have been efforts to return Evita to the Broadway stage, none have fully materialized beyond limited engagements.
In 2019, a production was staged at City Center in New York with Solea Pfeiffer and Maia Reficco sharing the role of Eva under director Sammi Cannold, and was subsequently performed in Washington, D.C. and Cambridge, Massachusetts. While these came close to a full revival, plans for a large-scale New York return remain uncertain.
Jamie Lloyd initially directed the London revival at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2019, setting the stage for this current West End run. The production is produced by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals along with Jamie Lloyd for The Jamie Lloyd Company, in association with The Really Useful Group Ltd.
Production Team and Supporting Roles
The production’s team also includes wig, hair, and makeup designer Carole Hancock; children’s casting director Harry Blumenau; fight director Kate Waters; prop supervisor Lily Mollgaard; and intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon. Orchestral management is overseen by Andy Barnwell and Rich Weedon for BW Musicians, ensuring the orchestration and stage elements are seamlessly managed.
Significance of the Cast Album and Future Prospects
This cast album and its promotion, including the release of new tracks like Rainbow High, spotlight Rachel Zegler’s performance as Eva and provide a fresh interpretation of a classic musical. Capturing the live energy of the London Palladium stage, the album serves as a key preservation of this production’s artistic achievements and may renew public interest in further revivals.
As the current production concludes its limited run on September 6, the cast album’s release is anticipated to reach broader audiences, potentially reinvigorating support for upcoming West End or Broadway renditions of Evita. The involvement of prominent creatives and performers linked to both classic and modern versions of the show highlights the ongoing legacy of this celebrated musical.
