Ariana DeBose has confirmed she is in talks to star in Jamie Lloyd’s London revival of ‘Evita’.
Ariana DeBose is set to star in a revival of ‘Evita’ in London.
The ‘West Side Story’ actress confirmed she is close to agreeing a deal to appear as Eva Peron in director Jamie Lloyd’s take on the classic Sir Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical when it opens for a limited run at the iconic Palladium venue in the city in the summer.
She told Deadline’s columnist Baz Bamigboye: “Fingers crossed, We’re 70% there…
“[I hope everything] will fall into place for me to be in London this summer.”
Ariana began talking to Jamie after the director’s version of ‘Sunset Boulevard’ ran in London and the 33-year-old star is excited about his vision for ‘Evita’.
She said:”[I believe] you’re going to do a revival of a property that is well known and well loved, it’s paramount to have a new vision, a new way in for today’s audiences.
“[Directors like Jamie are] willing to go out on a limb to remount these beloved productions. It feels very risky but if you’re willing to go there.”
‘Evita’ chronicles the life of actress and activist Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Peron and Ariana pointed out the character asks a lot of questions about women in politics, just as the US has seen during the recent presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump so she thinks it is a timely tale to revisit.
She said: “We’re seeing it playing out around the world as well, both in good ways and in ways that could prove to be quite negative.
“A lot is said about women from the male gaze. We should ask ourselves what expectations do we hold them to and what fables, tales and truths do we tell ourselves about who we believe them to be, and who are they actually?
“There’s so much mystery around ‘woman’. Women are revered and feared for a reason — because they’re powerful and it doesn’t matter what circumstances you put them in. It’s fabulous to be a woman, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
‘Evita’ is scheduled for a 12-week limited season at the Palladium from 14 June until 6 September.
Ariana DeBose set to star in Evita revival
