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Broadway revival 2012
Evita the Musical - Synopsis
Act I
In Buenos Aires on July 26, 1952, an audience is watching a film ("A Cinema in Buenos Aires, July 26, 1952"). The film is interrupted when news breaks of the death of Eva Perón, Argentina's First Lady, at the age of 33. The nation goes into public mourning as they sing "Requiem for Evita Lyrics" (in Latin, which is modelled on a Catholic requiem). Ché, a member of the public, marvels at the spectacle and promises to show how Eva did "nothing, for years" ("Oh What a Circus Lyrics").
In 1934, 15-year-old Eva Duarte (later Eva Duarte de Perón) lives in the provincial town of Junín, and longs to seek a better life in Buenos Aires. Eva falls in love with a tango singer, Agustín Magaldi, after she meets him at one of his shows ("On This Night of a Thousand Stars Lyrics"). Eva persuades Magaldi into taking her with him to Buenos Aires and though he is initially resistant, he eventually accepts ("Eva, Beware of the City Lyrics"). Upon her arrival at the city, Eva sings about her hopes and ambitions of glory as an actress ("Buenos Aires Lyrics"). After her arrival, Eva is quick to leave Magaldi, and Che relates the story of how Eva sleeps her way up the social ladder, becoming a model, radio star, and actress ("Goodnight and Thank You Lyrics"). He then tells of both a right-wing coup in 1943 and Eva's success, implying that Argentine politics and Eva's career may soon coincide. Che also makes a point to introduce the figure of Colonel Juan Domingo Perón, an ambitious military colonel who was making his way up the Argentine political ladder ("The Lady's Got Potential Lyrics"). In a game of musical chairs that represents the rise of political figures, Perón and other military figures compete for power and exhibit their political strategy ("The Art of the Possible Lyrics").
After a devastating earthquake hits the town of San Juan, Perón organises a charity concert at Luna Park to provide aid to the victims. Eva attends and briefly reunites with Agustín Magaldi, who coldly shuns her for her past actions. Perón addresses the crowd with words of encouragement and leaps off the stage, meeting Eva as soon as he exits ("Charity Concert Lyrics"). Eva and Perón share a secret rendezvous following the charity concert, where Eva hints that she could help Perón rise to power ("I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You Lyrics"). Eva dismisses Perón's Mistress (the character is known only by that title), who ponders the rejection ("Another Suitcase in Another Hall Lyrics").
After moving in with Perón, Eva is introduced to high society, but she is met with disdain from the upper classes and the Argentine Army ("Perón's Latest Flame Lyrics"). In 1946, Perón launches his presidential bid after being promoted to general in the army, and while in bed with Eva, he discusses his chances of winning the election. Eva reassures him and soon they organise rallies where the people show their support and hope for a better future, while on the sidelines Perón and his allies plot to dispose of anyone who stands in their way ("A New Argentina Lyrics").
Act II
Perón is elected president in a sweeping victory in 1946. He stands "On The Balcony of the Casa Rosada Lyrics" addressing his descamisados (shirtless ones). Eva speaks from the balcony of the Presidential Palace to her adoring supporters, where she reveals that despite her initial goal of achieving fame and glory, she has found her true calling to be the people of her country ("Don't Cry for Me, Argentina Lyrics"). Che analyses the price of fame as Eva dances at the Inaugural Ball with Perón, now the president-elect ("High Flying, Adored Lyrics").
Eva insists on a glamorous image to impress the people of Argentina and promote Perónism. She prepares to tour in Europe as she is dressed for success by her fashion consultants ("Rainbow High Lyrics"). The next song has Che representing leaders of the countries and even an Italian admiral. Her famous 1946 tour meets with mixed results ("Rainbow Tour Lyrics"); Spaniards adore her, but the Italians liken her husband to Benito Mussolini. Even though the Italian people didn't like Evita, Argentina still had support from Italy. France is unimpressed because Eva started to get tired, but still had some mixed reviews. And the English snub her by inviting her to a country estate, rather than Buckingham Palace. Eva affirms her disdain for the upper class, while Che (pretending to be a random peasant) asks her to start helping those in need as she promised ("The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines (You'd Like to Hear) Lyrics"). Eva begins the Eva Perón Foundation to direct her charity work. Che describes Eva's controversial charitable work, and possible money laundering ("And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out) Lyrics").
Eva appears at a church to take the sacrament in front of her adoring supporters ("Santa Evita Lyrics"), but goes into a trancelike state, beginning to hallucinate. In her vision she and Che heatedly debate her actions; Che accuses Eva of using the Argentine people for her own ends and silencing people who do not support her, while Eva cynically replies that there is no glory in trying to solve the world's problems from the sidelines ("A Waltz for Eva and Che Lyrics"). At the end of the argument, Eva finally admits to herself and Che that she is dying and can't go on for much longer. Afterwards, Eva finally understands that Perón loves her for herself, not just for what she can do for him and his career ("You Must Love Me Lyrics").
Perón's generals finally get sick of Eva's meddling and demand that Perón force her to leave politics. However, Perón objects and claims that if it wasn't for her, they would never have achieved as much as they have ("She Is a Diamond Lyrics"). But he also concedes she won't be able to keep working for long as she will soon succumb to her cancer. Even so, Eva is determined to run for vice-president, and Perón fears that the military will stage a coup if she runs and that Eva's health is too delicate for any stressful work, but Eva insists she can continue, despite her failing health ("Dice Are Rolling Lyrics").
Realizing she is close to death, Eva renounces her pursuit of the vice presidency and swears her eternal love to the people of Argentina ("Eva's Final Broadcast Lyrics"). Eva's achievements flash before her eyes before she dies ("Montage Lyrics"), and she asks for forgiveness, contemplating her choice of fame instead of long life ("Lament Lyrics"). Eva dies, and embalmers preserve her body forever. Che notes that a monument was set to be built for Evita but "only the pedestal was completed, when Evita's body disappeared for 17 years...."
Read more: Evita the Musical Lyrics
Synopsis to Evita the Musical
Evita the Musical Lyrics
SYNOPSIS
Requiem for Evita
Oh, What a Circus
On This Night of a Thousand Stars
Eva, Beware of the City
Buenos Aires Lyrics
Goodnight and Thank You
The Art of the Possible
Charity Concert
I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You
Another Suitcase in Another Hall
Perón's Latest Flame
A New Argentina
On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada
Don't Cry for Me Argentina
High Flying, Adored
Rainbow High
Rainbow Tour
The Chorus Girl Hasn't Learned the Lines
And the Money Kept Rolling In (and Out)
Santa Evita
Waltz for Eva and Che
You Must Love Me
She Is a Diamond
Dice are Rolling
Eva's Final Broadcast
Montage
Lament
No Llores Por Mi Argentina
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