Caption: Eva Perón (Sophia Alawi) addresses her people in San Francisco Playhouse's "Evita," performing June 27 - September 7, 2024. Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli

“Evita” Reprised at San Francisco Playhouse

San Francisco Playhouse’s 2023-24 season will conclude with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Evita.

This musical explores the life and meteoric rise of First Lady of Argentina Eva Perón, transforming from a poor child to an ambitious actress, to the most powerful woman in Latin America as the wife of military leader-turned-president Juan Perón. San Francisco Playhouse Artistic Director and Co-Founder Bill English stages this powerful pop-rock musical with musical direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer. Evita will perform June 27, – September 7, 2024 at San Francisco Playhouse 450, Post Street.

For tickets ($30-$125) and more information, the public may visit sfplayhouse.org or call the box office at 415-677-9596.

San Francisco Playhouse has assembled a cast of veteran actors to bring this acclaimed musical to life.

Sophia Alawi stars as Eva Perón, a fiery and fearless woman who becomes the First Lady of Argentina. Alawi returns to the Playhouse where she was seen in Groundhog Day: The Musical, for which she won the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle (SFBATCC) award for Best Featured Actress, as well as As You Like It and Twelfth Night. She has appeared onstage at regional theatres such as 42nd Street Moon, Hillbarn Theatre, Theater Under the Stars, and Playhouse on Park. Alawi’s TV credits include “Law & Order: SVU.”

Seen in last season’s A Chorus Line, Alex Rodriguez (he/him) returns to the Playhouse as political activist Che. Seen in the national tour of Miss Saigon, he won Theatre Bay Area (TBA) Awards for his performances in Ray of Light’s Triassic Parq, Bay Area Musicals’ Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Broadway By the Bay’s Evita. He has choreographed and directed productions for Berkeley Playhouse and Ray of Light Theatre, where he also serves as Artistic Associate.

Peter Gregus makes his Playhouse debut as Juan Perón, an army officer who rises to become the President of Argentina. Gregus originated the role of Bob Crewe in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, which he played for the entire 11-year run. Other Broadway performances include Ain’t Broadway Grand and the Tony Award-winning Contact. Seen in the national tour of A Bronx Tale: The Musical, his regional theatre appearances include shows at La Jolla Playhouse, New York City Center, Provincetown Theater and New Bedford Festival Theatre. His TV credits include Bill Blass in Netflix’s “Simply Halston,” HBO’s “Show Me A Hero,” and Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.”

Seen in the Playhouse’s Guys and Dolls, Jurä Davis returns to the Playhouse as Agustin Magaldi, a charming man with whom Eva has her first love affair. Davis’s regional theatre credits include The North Carolina Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, and Piedmont Players Theatre.

Chanel Tilghman makes her Playhouse debut as Perón’s Mistress. Tilghman has performed at regional theatres including American Conservatory Theater, Center Repertory Company, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Berkeley Playhouse, Ray of Light Theatre, Shotgun Players, Lucky Penny Productions, and Contra Costa Civic Theatre. She has also participated in readings of new works with Boise Contemporary Theater’s BIPOC Playwright’s Festival, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company, and Lorraine Hansberry Theatre.

Malia Abayon, Christine M. Capsuto-Shulman, Chachi Delgado, Gabriella Goldstein, César Lino, Dian Sitip Meechai, Deanalís Arocho Resto, River Bermudez Sanders, and Nicholas Tabora round out the cast as the chorus.