Rachel Zegler, known for her roles as Maria in Spielberg’s 2021 remake of West Side Story and Lucy Gray-Baird in The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, just recently finished her 12-week run playing leading role of Eva Perón in the limited London revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita in the London Palladium theatre.
Closing night, the cast received a six and a half minute long standing ovation, the longest in the Palladium’s history, according to a post on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Instagram.
After the show, Zegler posted several backstage photos and a caption explaining her appreciation for Webber, the cast, and the crew.
“[I] never imagined i’d get to be a part of something so celebrated in this lifetime.” Zegler said. “a dream role in a dream show with a dream director and a dream choreographer and a dream cast (!!!) and a dream crew. [T]he friends i have made on this journey are forever, and the memories we’ve shared this summer are enough to bring me to tears during every curtain call.”
Evita tells the story of Eva Perón, second wife of former Argentinian leader Juan Perón, from her early life, to her rise to power, and up to her death.
Throughout its run, the show received headlines after it was revealed the most iconic number from the show, “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina,” would not be performed inside of the Palladium, but would instead feature Zegler performing on the outside balcony, with the performance streamed inside the theatre. As the show’s run continued, crowds gradually grew outside of the theatre waiting for Zegler’s performance, even if some theatregoers complained they felt they paid money to watch a screen.
In July, Zegler’s version of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, became No.1 on both the Official Physical Singles and Official Vinyl Singles charts in the U.K., a rarity for musical numbers.
Zegler will return to the Palladium on Oct. 5 for a solo concert featuring “a mix of musical theatre classics, personal favorites, and more.” A 10-Track Live Recorded album of the musical’s songs is expected to release on a later date.
Locally, for those interested in Andrew Lloyd Weber, UWF’s CFPA will perform ”Jesus Christ Superstar” from Nov 14-16 and 21-23.
