APA Preparing Ambitious ‘Evita’

TOM TITUS

Tim Nelson, who directs musical productions for Huntington Beach’s

Academy for the Performing Arts, is brimming with more than the usual

enthusiasm over his upcoming production of the Andrew Lloyd

Webber-Tim Rice musical “Evita.”

“I have been looking for a show to really showcase the powerhouse

vocal talent we have at the academy, and especially in the senior

class this year,” Nelson declared.

He’s certain he’s found it in “Evita,” which opens March 11 for

two weekends in the Huntington Beach High School auditorium.

To retell the story of Eva Peron, the peasant girl whose ambitions

propelled her to become the first lady of Argentina, and who became

the center of controversy before her untimely death, Nelson is

calling on some of his most familiar performers at the academy.

The title role will be played by Nicole Gerardi, “who as a

freshman stole the role of Violet Hilton in ‘Side Show’ from all the

others,” Nelson said. “She has one of the most amazing voices I have

heard throughout the years, and her presence on stage is phenomenal.”

She also managed to impress Nelson by memorizing the entire score

of “Evita” in just two weeks.

“For ‘Evita,’ that is something,” the director said.

For the significant character of Che, Evita’s nemesis, Nelson has

cast two actors, twins Matthew and Alex Bartosch.

“I am using them in such a way that the public will not know which

is which until we reveal it in the show,” he explained.

A.J. Gutierrez, who won a number of awards for his portrayal of

the devil in “Damn Yankees” last season, will take on the role of

Juan Peron. The role of his young mistress, whom Evita replaces, is

taken by Courtney Davis, who won a best supporting actress award at

the first annual Orange County “Cappies” last year.

Junior Josh Allton round out the principal characters as Magaldi,

a tango singer who “discovers” Evita in her youth and introduces her

to Buenos Aires, the “big apple.”

The academy’s technical department, Nelson said, is really going

all out with a totally raked stage and a Casa Rosada balcony, where

the show’s most celebrated song will be belted.

“As a musician, I really recognize the worth of this music,”

Nelson said. “It’s intricate, melodious and passionate. And, of

course, the audiences always love ‘Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.’”

“Evita” will be performed Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and

Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 20 in the high school auditorium,

1905 Main St., Huntington Beach. Tickets are $12 to $15, and

reservations may be obtained by calling (714) 536-2514.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.