A New Argentina - Elena Roger/Phillip Quast/Matt Rawle

[robbiehrte66]

I know the footage isn't very good but if this is an indication of the production I'm amazed it ran for more than a few weeks. It looks really old fashioned, static and amatuer. They would have done better to restage the 70s production which was really exciting. And from the casting of a person where English is obviously her second language in this role is nuts! From the poster to the recording and casting the whole thing reaks of a gimmicky half assed attempt. This material deserves better.

[theemaestro576]

@robbiehrte66 This revival received rave reviews. It was stunning, really. Can't wait for its Broadway transfer in 2012.

[evaperon10]

There was a view in London at the time that people - audiences - simply weren't in the mood for a serious musical, however well produced this revival was.

[philiphale2]

can never understand why they ever closed this great musical down after a year elena rogers was superb as eva peron i hope it goes on uk tour and visits belfast grand opera house and andrew llyod webbers best musical having swept major theatre awards in 1978 and of course for elaine paige best actress in a musical viva evita great musical about a very controvesial woman in a banana republic

[wickedRENTheadx]

I loooove Philip and Matt.

Quast is one of my favorite actors in musical theatre.

In my opinion, this cast is GREAT.

And Elena Roger is a decent Eva, although I prefer LuPone, in English anyway.

[DonJuan1992]

I love how the fact its scratchy in the mic. makes it seem as if shes really addressing the nation as the real Eva Peron did.

[btothefloflo]

Elena Roger is great. She has a great blend of singing/screaming at the audience during this particular song. That is was makes her more real, Eva Perone used to yell over crouds of thousands into her microphone. Watch some of the footage of Eva Perone and you'll see she is yelling to get people to rally for "her" cause. Elena's voice is perfect for it, as authentic as possible.

[sampmiller]

Agreed! Being friends with her, I'll pass on the compliment of her having an authentic voice =P x

[jlpmusic100]

it didnt sound nearly this bad on the soundtrack....neither did wicked

[xMissxKeatzx]

i love this show!!! so annoyed it closed :( matt rawle is the best!!! love him!!! :D thanks!

[oneworldguy]

This is terrible. No wonder it closed so quickly!

[Amkii]

...Evita has been playing all over the world for years...it is well-favored among many theatre fans. You'd have to see it live to understand.

[oneworldguy]

No, no... I HAVE seen it. It is a great, great show and one of my all time favorites! I'm saying that this PARTICULAR PRODUCTION sounds terrible and "no wonder" that THIS PARTICULAR PRODUCTION closed early.

[Amkii]

Oh, I see. I think perhaps it's just the quality of the video (which isn't even sampmiller's fault) that is making you say that. I know ALW did change it up a bit for this revival, so maybe you don't like the changes?

[Amkii]

Hopefully you aren't saying that it's Philip and Elena that sound terrible! She is from South America, herself, and Philip Quast is one of the most amazing singers and actors to ever grace the English stage (his Olivier Awards can justify that opinion). I saw this live, and this video can not entirely do the production justice. No video can ever do any production of any musical justice, can it? ;)

[oneworldguy]

Some actors are BORN for certain roles. Elena Roger was an AMAZING Fantine in an Argentinian production (in Spanish) of Les Miserables. However, I don't believe she has the caliber of voice required for this role. It is probably one of the most demanding roles ever written for the musical theater. Philip Quast sounds great!

[oneworldguy]

I just hope that if they plan on running a revival on Broadway (which I've heard a number of rumors for), they will use a true DIVA whose voice is powerful enough to take on this role. Just because Elena Roger is Argentinean doesn't make her a great Evita. She is good, but she is a far cry from being Patti LuPone, Elaine Paige, or Paloma San Basilio (original Madrid production in Spanish).

[Amkii]

Wow, I could see how she'd be great as Fantine! That would be amazing to hear. Aww, I'm sorry you don't think she has the right voice for this part. I understand what you mean, but I personally thought she was amazing! Her background (and therefore accent) gave her the believable, authentic element I enjoy for this role of Eva. I'm glad to hear you agree about Philip though...he is always amazing in anything he does!

[oneworldguy]

Actually, you can find her performance as Fantine on here as well singing "I Dreamed A Dream" in Spanish. You'll notice in her voice that she is CLEARLY more comfortable singing in Spanish because it is her primary language.

[Amkii]

Oh, awesome! I'll go look it up! I bet she is much more comfortable in her native language, yes! I would be too!

[Amkii]

That would be great to see the revival come to Broadway! I understand the ladies you've mentioned have powerful voices, but personally I liked Elena's unique element that she added to this...especially with her genuine accent and passion.

[oneworldguy]

She did add a unique element. I think part of the problem is that the show is written IN ENGLISH. So singing in a different language than you're used to speaking can be an amazing challenge. Paloma San Basilio (Evita in Madrid) sang "All I Ask Of You" in concert, and you can see that she was seriously challenged. But in her own language, WOW! "No Llores Por Mi Argentina"

[Amkii]

Yes, I've heard Paloma sing 'No Llores Por Mi Argentina'...she is absolutely incredible! I never heard her sing in English, but I bet she was uncomfortable doing so!

[Amkii]

I agree with your comment about it being written in English! I can definitely understand the difficulties of singing in a language that is not one's own.

[oneworldguy]

You know, seeing as how she is so great and comfortable singing in Spanish, I imagine Elena Roger could be MUCH more powerful in this role in a Spanish production of it... I'd definitely pay to get front row to see her sing it in Spanish.

[AdameJinn]

Thank you for the vid. Even with the grainy quality, hear Philip Quast croon is fantastic.