Auditorium Theatre 2021-2022, Issue 4, Ballet Hispanico

AUDITORIUM THEATRE :: BALLET HISPÁNICO | 11 Synopsis The Icon Evita delivers her final speech to the Descamisados. Suddenly, a vision of a young Evita takes us back in time. Faced by her Father and his other family, Evita is forced to relive the rejection and shame she faced early on in life. Ascension Evita arrives in Buenos Aires and dances seductively with several men, each more powerful than the last. As she climbs the social ladder, she transforms from a simple small-town girl to an elegant star, hungry for more. His Military World Evita attends a benefit surrounded by Argentina’s powerful military and elite. The vision of the Young Evita appears again. Evita rushes to hide her from sight just in time to meet Juan Perón for the first time. Evita’s World of Radio Evita’s power increases as her popularity grows on the radio. She is in her element as a voice for the people. Building Perón’s Image Evita welcomes Juan Perón into her world using her access to the radio and prowess as a speaker to rally support around him. As he becomes more powerful, those against him rebel. The attempt to place Perón in political power fails, and Juan Perón ends in jail. The Descamisados — Perón is Freed The Descamisados unite and give strength to a struggling Evita. She is emboldened by their calls and rises as an advocate. The support of the Descamisados free Perón from prison and starts a new chapter of power for the Peróns. They marry and Evita becomes the first lady of Argentina. As the Peróns’ power grows they stifle and destroy all opposition. The Oligarchs Reject Evita Evita tries to blend in amongst Argentina’s oligarchs and aristocracy, all of whom reject her. The vision of Young Evita comforts the humiliated Evita and empowers her. Gathering Power Evita builds her popularity, giving out shoes to the Descamisados. She calls them to arms and to fight for their rights, acting out against the oligarchs and upper class who rejected and humiliated her. The Final Moment Succumbing to cancer, Evita dies in the arms of Perón. The Descamisados lead the funeral procession. The Legacy Evita and the Descamisados are engulfed by the iconography of her life. Evita’s legacy remains. Even in death she is triumphant.