Jedlicka Performing Arts Center Presents Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s Musical EVITA, March 28 – April 12, 2014

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center welcomes spring with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s landmark Tony Award-winning musical drama EVITA, co-directed by Artistic Director Dante J. Orfei and Christopher Pazdernik with musical direction by John Warren and choreography by Christopher Pazdernik. EVITA plays March 28 – April 12, 2014 at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Tickets are available at www.jpactheatre.com or by calling (708) 656-1800. 

EVITA features Emily Goldberg as Eva Perón, Maxwell DeTogne as Ché, John Gurdian as Perón, Jameson Wentworth as Magaldi and Samantha Pauly as the Mistress with an ensemble cast that includes Michael Baylon, Caitlin Borek, Katie Campbell, Alex Campea, Tyler Collins, Ernie Cotrell, Jacob Craig, Cara Cundari, Erin Feldman, Carlos Garcia, Amanda Giles, Amara Gonzalez, Carisa Gonzalez-Sambolin, Harmony Elise Jones, Steve Malone, Dimokratia Michalopoulos, Mia Moore, Samantha Nieves, Alyssa Nuñez, Kelsey Overberg, Kyle Stephens, Ann Marie White, Damian Wille and JZ Zaeske.

Eva Perón used her smarts and charisma to rise meteorically from the slums of Argentina to the presidential mansion as First Lady. Adored by her people as a champion for the poor, she became one of the most powerful women in the world — while her greed, outsized ambition and fragile health made her one of the most tragic. EVITA tells Eva’s passionate and unforgettable true story, and features some of theater’s most memorable songs, including “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” and “High Flying, Adored.”

The production team for EVITA includes Michael Nedza (scenic designer/technical director), Lindsay Prerost (costume design), Dante J. Orfei (lighting design), Michael Kott (multimedia design) and Barbara Charlene (fight director/stage manager).

Cast: Emily Goldberg (Eva Perón), Maxwell DeTogne (Ché), John Gurdian (Perón), Jameson Wentworth (Magaldi) and Samantha Pauly (Mistress) with Michael Baylon, Caitlin Borek, Katie Campbell, Alex Campea, Tyler Collins, Ernie Cotrell, Jacob Craig, Cara Cundari, Erin Feldman, Carlos Garcia, Amanda Giles, Amara Gonzalez, Carisa Gonzalez-Sambolin, Harmony Elise Jones, Steve Malone, Dimokratia Michalopoulos, Mia Moore, Samantha Nieves, Alyssa Nuñez, Kelsey Overberg, Kyle Stephens, Ann Marie White, Damian Wille and JZ Zaeske.

Musicians: Karen Otmansky (flute), Katie Adams (oboe/English horn), Yarelys Pinto (clarinet), Lara Regan (clarinet/bass clarinet), John Catomer (horn), Cyndi Salata (trumpet), Kaj Fagerberg (trombone), Ayako Kikuchi (violin), Emily Hu (cello), Brett Lewis (bass), Brent Moore (guitar), Nick Anderson (percussion), Bobby Dietz (keyboard 1) and Joey Lugay (keyboard 2).

About the Creative Team:

Dante J. Orfei (Co-Director) has been the Artistic Director at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center for over 25 years. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has produced and directed a travel documentary titled European Sojourn, which aired on PBS. Dante also directed the U.S. Premiere of the musical Metropolis and worked closely with the show’s creator, Academy and Grammy Award-winner Joseph Brooks on the development of the show. Dante directed the national regional theatre premiere of Brooks’ most recent Broadway show, In My Life. He has studied with Tony Award-winners Harold Prince and Jules Fisher. He directed the Midwest Regional Premiere of the Queen rock musical, We Will Rock You, and has also directed the World Premiere of Nefertiti – The Musical, as well as premiere Chicago productions of Little Women, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, Blood Brothers, Jekyll and Hyde, The Baker’s Wife, and numerous plays by Olivier Award-winning playwright Ray Cooney, including the U.S. Premiere of Cooney’s It Runs in the Family. Dante has directed well over 175 stage productions on the professional, dinner theatre and academic levels.

Christopher Pazdernik (Co-Director, Choreographer) has been a Chicago-based director, choreographer and producer for the last five years. His directing credits include Miracle on 34th Street and Anyone Can Whistle (Porchlight Music Theatre), Songs for a New World (Elmhurst College), A Streetcar Named Desire (Jedlicka), and workshop productions of the new musicals Far From Freud and Perpetual Possibility. His choreography credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Bailiwick Chicago), The Full Monty (Villlage Players), Bombs Away (Bailiwick Repertory) and Spamalot (Jedlicka). He also co-hosts Option Up!, a cabaret talk-show, monthly at Stage 733 with music director Aaron Benham. He serves as the Artistic Producer for Bailiwick Chicago, and as an Artistic Associate at Porchlight Music Theater. Next up, he will be directing and choreographing the Chicago Premiere of Carrie for Bailiwick Chicago.

John Warren (Music Director) is excited to collaborate on another JPAC production. Previous music directing credits at JPAC include It’s A Grand Night for Singing, Sunset Boulevard, and Legally Blonde. No stranger to the JPAC stage, John has performed in both Phantom of the Opera and Man of La Mancha. John is the head of music studies at Morton College, and he is excited to get a chance to work with another wonderful group of musicians! 

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center strives to bring audiences a variety of theatrical pieces, from the classics to premiere works, providing an environment of excitement and discovery for its patrons while maintaining a unique performance venue for its artists.  For additional information, visit www.jpactheatre.com