Long Beach enjoyed a night of singing, dancing and acting with the play "Evita" performed by the University Players at CSU Long Beach. The musical chronicles the life of Eva "Evita" Peron, the former First Lady of Argentina, who died of cancer in 1952.

Dazzling audiences since its opening in 1978, the world-renowned play uses the music and lyrics of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice to tell the story of Evita's short life.     

      

The play starred Jessica Hayes as Eva Peron, who captured the audience with her powerful voice and vigor. Hayes rightfully claimed the spotlight during the show, which is almost completely sung. She performed the notable song, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" with spectacular poise, and made the audience believe that she had the same supremacy as Evita herself.           

The narrator of the story, Che, was an audience favorite. Che, played by Jared Crossman, told Evita's story and was a welcome tour guide for the audience. Crossman jumped around the stage and lounged casually on the sets, making it seem like his home. Che narrated, but also provided sarcasm and comic relief.           

A breakout star was Andrew Pedroza as Peron.  In the role of Eva's husband, Juan Peron, Pedroza commanded the stage from the moment he entered it. With his head held high and his booming vocals, it was easy to picture Pedroza as the straight-laced Argentine general and politician.           

Jared Pugh's supporting role as the womanizing tango star Magaldi was another audience pleaser. Known as Evita's first lover and her ticket to Buenos Aires, he gyrated on the stage much to the enjoyment of his screaming fans in the play.    

        

The ensemble was also impressive. Even as the audience left the theater, it's doubtful that they could forget the haunting "Peron, Peron, Peron," chanting and singing throughout the night. Two of the dancers especially stood out. Thomas Vu and Reesa Zagnoli danced the tango splendidly, and were always on point.           

The set was unique, but simple--large metal scaffolding, meant to push most of the focus on the singing, dancing, and lighting. Two metal scaffoldings were on each side of the stage, and one staircase in the middle was moved around to create depth to the otherwise bland set.  Lighting infused the set with a warm atmosphere emblematic of Evita's personality, and actual footage of Evita was projected on the wall behind the stage as well.           

It's hard to find anything wrong with the music in the play. Written by the Academy- and Tony-Award winning team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, it did not disappoint. Noticeably absent, however, was the song "You Must Love Me,"  which won the Academy Award in 1996 for Best Original Song from the movie "Evita." Although the song was written specifically for the movie and not the play, it would be powerful enough to resonate with the play's audience.

Musical highlights of the night included "I'll Be Surprisingly Good For You," performed by the two vocal powerhouses, Hayes and Pedroza. "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," was perfectly powerful, and the final montage kept the audience mesmerized.

Joanne Gordon directed.