Evita Reviews

Washington Post- Highly Recommended

"...The production, minted at American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., and transplanted now to Shakespeare Theatre Company’s flagship space, makes a persuasive case for “Evita” as the most artistically vibrant musical in the Lloyd Webber canon. (Admittedly the competition is less than fierce.) Cannold looks shrewdly into the story of Argentina’s tornadic first lady to dismantle some of the mythology. She unearths neither monster nor martyr, but rather a woman armored by misfortune who manages to find her fortune."

MetroWeekly- Recommended

"...In her shining moment performing the signature song of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Evita, Shereen Pimentel, in the title role, declaims not from a balcony of the Presidential Palace, but surrounded by risers of flowers stacked to the rafters."

Washington City Paper- Highly Recommended

"...There's just something about musicals focused on the wives of world leaders: Six is a smash hit with a rock concert spin on the wives of Henry the VIII, the Imelda Marcos disco biography Here Lies Love is currently tearing up Broadway, and here in D.C., Evita reigns again. The concept album turned rock opera about the life of the late Argentine First Lady Eva Perón has had a surprisingly long and durable shelf life, and this production, directed by Sammi Cannold, shows why it has such staying power while infusing it with fresh life."

Stage and Cinema- Somewhat Recommended

"...For all the hoopla that is Evita, save for the beautifully haunting ballad "Don't Cry for me Argentina," Shakespeare Theatre's version, directed by Sammi Cannold, was a painful two hours of screeching and unintelligible lyrics. You want to cry for Evita, but may end up crying for the state of musical theater."

MD Theatre Guide- Recommended

"...A new production of “Evita,” with rumored Broadway ambitions, has landed at Shakespeare Theatre Company. First conceived for the 2019 New York City Center (NYCC) Gala Presentation, then revised earlier this summer at the American Repertoire Theatre (A.R.T.) in Boston, this version amps up the politics and dials back the visual design of this classic Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Excellent choreography adds vitality to the megawatt showstopper score, but the production could otherwise use just a little touch more star quality."