Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Evita” opens at Rabbit Run Theater
MADISON, OH – Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Evita” opens August 3 at Rabbit Run Theater in Madison. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics and book by Tim Rice, “Evita” is one of Webber’s most recognizable musicals.
“Evita” is told through the eyes of storyteller, Che, as he recounts young Eva Duarte’s journey from a poor illegitimate child in mid-20th century Argentina to her meteoric rise to sainthood as Eva Peron, the most powerful woman in Latin America.
As a teenager in the 1930’s, Eva falls in love with Agustin Magaldi, a tango singer, and accompanies him to Buenos Aires, where she makes her way in radio and film. She meets rising politician Juan Peron at a charity event, and the two become romantically involved. They marry, and as Peron’s most ardent supporter, Eva shares his limelight and sweeps the nation of Argentina off its feet in their adoration for Eva.
“Evita” is directed by Brint Learned, executive director of Rabbit Run Community Arts Association in Madison. For the past 20 years, Learned has acted and directed at numerous theaters in Northeast Ohio, including The Fine Arts Association, The Beck Center for the Arts, Lakeland Civic Theatre, Lake Erie College and Ashtabula Arts Center.
Musical direction is provided by Dave Coxe with choreography by Jill Tschetter.
Playing the role of Eva Peron is Alice Nelson. Nelson received her bachelors of music from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory as well as a masters in music education from Case Western Reserve University.
Playing the part of Peron is Scott Posey, who serves as the head of the Performing Arts Department at Lake Catholic High School, as well the director of Note-Oriety Show Choir in Solon. Posey is a member of Actors’ Equity and holds a Bachelor of Music from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master of Fine Arts from Kent State University.
Also appearing in this production are J. J. Luster as Che; Caroline Turner as Peron’s mistress and Stephen Blauch as Magaldi.
“Evita” opens Friday, August 3, and runs through Saturday, August 18 and is rated 13+ for content and language.
Tickets for all performances are available by calling the box office at 440-428-7092, Wednesday through Sunday, 3 to 7 p.m. or on line at www.rabbitrunonline.org. Tickets are $24, adult; $22, senior and student; and $11 for youth 12 and under. For group packages and rates call 440-428-5913.
Guests are welcome to bring a picnic meal to enjoy on the grounds of the theater prior to a show in the new picnic pavilion or courtyards.
All shows for “Evita” begin at 7:30 p.m. Rabbit Run Theater is located at 5648 W. Chapel Rd., Madison, OH. Rabbit Run receives partial funding from the Ohio Arts Council, Hearn Plumbing and Heating, Huffman-Mayer Wealth Management Group and Lighthouse Advisers.
The 2018 season at Rabbit Run Theater is funded in part by a grant from The Lake County Visitor Bureau Arts & Culture Grant. The Remarkable Lake County, OH Arts & Culture Grant Program promotes the county’s tourism constituency – entertainment, regional and heritage events, hospitality venues and hotels, and destinations and attractions involved in Lake County’s tourism industry.
Rabbit Run Theater is one of the few barn theaters still in operation and operates under the auspices of Rabbit Run Community Arts Association, a non-profit organization offering year-round instruction in all the major disciplines of the fine and performing arts.
Above photo: Alice Nelson as Eva Peron.
Photo credit: Kathy Sandham. 
Press release submitted by:
Karen Ziegler
Director of Marketing/Group Sales
Rabbit Run Theater
P. O. Box 235, 49 Park St.
Madison, OH 44057
440-428-5913
www.rabbitrunonline.org
For local visitor bureau information visit
#RemarkableLakeCountyOH