‘Evita’ rehearsal foretells great show

A REVIEW

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

FORESTBURGH, NY — A dress rehearsal of “Evita” at the Forestburgh Playhouse on Monday, June 23 presented a spectacle of summer stock theater that shouldn’t be missed. The show opened on Tuesday night.

A compact stage might have presented a considerable challenge as the Forestburgh production and technical staff planned a show like “Evita,” but director Ron Nash uses the stage to the advantage of all in the company, channeling politically charged music to every inch of the tall, open-timbered playhouse.

While Forestburgh produced “Evita” seven years ago, Nash wanted to direct a show that contrasted with Alan Parker’s 1996 film and the rock-opera approach of the original production.

“With the recent movie and rock-opera approach of the original, I am working for something more in the middle, where the audience can really enjoy the story of ‘Evita’,” Nash said.

As the story unfolds, Eva Peron’s (Evita) contrasting personal and political lives are brought to life with jubilant nightclub scenes, rigid military ceremonies and scenes of working-class people supporting their beloved Peron. David Macaluso plays an expressive Che, the narrator who often derides Peron.

Watching a theater company in dress rehearsal can provide a good opportunity to observe the planned dramatic transitions, most, if not all of which the audience sees as the “Evita” cast switches props with impressive pace. In effect, the set changes blend appropriately with the storyline.

Colorful costumes foiled by a simple, yet fitting stage provide a backdrop for the flock of talent in this year’s Forestburgh resident company.

“Evita” runs from June 24 to July 6 Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and matinees at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and 3:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The box office can be reached at 845/794-1194.