Oak Park seniors star in ‘Evita’





DON’T CRY FOR ME—From left are Griffin Hughes as Che Guevara; Morgan Paige and Yael Karoly double cast as Evita Peron; and Matt Yulish as Juan Peron in Oak Park High School’s production of “Evita.”

DON’T CRY FOR ME—From left are Griffin Hughes as Che Guevara; Morgan Paige and Yael Karoly double cast as Evita Peron; and Matt Yulish as Juan Peron in Oak Park High School’s production of “Evita.”

Oak Park High School’s production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical “Evita” opens tonight for a three-day, four-show engagement.

For seniors Yael Karoly and Morgan Paige, who are doublecast in the show’s title role of Argentinean First Lady Eva Peron, it’s been an exciting experience, not just playing the part but also learning about the historic figure they are portraying.

First performed on Broadway in 1979, “Evita” was the first British production to win the Tony Award for Best Musical. Its songs have become standards in the theater repertoire over the past three decades.

“It’s been an amazing experience doing this really difficult part,” Yael said, “because it goes from when Eva Peron is 15 until she dies in her early 30s. So it’s kind of this big arc because she grows so powerful during a short amount of time. It’s been an amazing experience to work with this cast and make it come to life.”

Morgan agreed.

“She definitely went through a lot, but we found what a very strong woman she was, and the only thing that actually brings her down is the cancer that killed her,” she said.

Director Allan Hunt is especially proud of the show’s elaborate set, which isn’t unveiled until well into the play.

“It was made possible through the efforts of our principal, Kevin Buchanan,” Hunt said. “Kevin took an active interest in helping build it right after he learned we were doing the show. I remember him telling me that he wore the cast album smooth when he was growing up in England. He’s gotten so involved that he is actually the crew supervisor.”

Yael said that Hunt has helped her and Morgan “so much with the vocal and physical differences and changes that Eva went through. When she’s 15, the innocence is still there and she has a higher voice, but by the end, it has deteriorated so that she is almost whispering. That’s what’s made it easier, to show not only her growth, but the physical and vocal changes.”

Morgan noted how Lloyd Webber uses melodies as motifs throughout the show.

“Toward the end of the play, he repeats ‘Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina’ even in the dialogue,” she said, “but slows the tempo down to show how she’s starting to weaken. The beginning of Act 2 is probably her strongest point in the show.”

Yael and Morgan are already preparing for life after high school. After “Evita” concludes this weekend, Yael is flying to New York to participate in the National Unified Auditions.

“It’s a day of nonstop auditioning with a hundred other girls who look just like you. You audition for five colleges in five hotel rooms. I sent in a bunch of video submissions, so if they call you back, you get to audition in person. I’m trying to keep all my options open, but if I had to narrow it down, my top three choices are Syracuse, Pace and Ithaca.”

Morgan is concentrating on vocal performance but won’t rule out continuing in the theater.

“I already got accepted to Berklee School of Music and Westminster College of the Arts; I’ve kind of been applying all over the place, but I’m still waiting to hear back from others. I’d like to go back and visit the East Coast schools and see if I can handle the cold.”

As for losing his two lead actresses to college, Hunt said, “It’s rather like a coach losing his star quarterback. But, like in sports, just when you think, ‘How can we manage without them?’ new kids always come along and hit the refresh button.”

“Evita” runs four performances Jan. 15 through 17 at the school’s pavilion. For tickets, visit www.seatyourself.biz.


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