Review – Evita 2006

“Evita dream comes true”

By:	Jeanine Soodeen, Victoria News
For:	Evita
Who:	The Victoria Operatic Society
Where:	McPherson Playhouse
When:	April 2006

Published: Friday, April 28, 2006

Tara Britt grew up with the Victoria Operatic Society and dreamed about one day playing the role of Eva Peron in the musical, Evita. Tonight her wish is fulfilled as Britt takes centre stage in the opening night of the VOS production of Evita, the Tony award-winning musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber.

“It’s my dream role. I’ve always wanted to do it. I was so excited when they said they were doing it,” said the 29-year old Britt, who is an ideal age now to play the leading female role.

Evita begins in 1934 when the young Eva, at 15, leaves her hometown to Buenos Aires, and follows her life until the age of 33. through a succession of lovers, she becomes a model, broadcaster, film actress and finally mistress of the ambitious Col. Juan Peron, played by Gary Moss in the VOS production, directed by Chris Moss.

Eva becomes the most powerful woman in South America when Peron is elected president. She earns adoration of the masses and resentment of the upper classes.

“It’s such a great part. It’s got so much depth to it,” Britt said. “She was such an extreme woman on so many levels. In Argentina, you either loved her or hated her.”

Britt loves her and has read many books, covering the many perspectives about Eva Peron’s life.

“The musical takes a lot of liberty with her life. I think she had her good and bad points. She did a lot of good despite the bad.” There doesn’t seen to be a lot of bad points about playing the part, especially for Britt who recently returned to the Capital region to be with her family and her musical theatre family.

Although she can’t recall specific parts, Britt has been performing musical theatre since she was about six years old, with VOS, Four Seasons and other local companies as well as in festivals. She remembers well being cast as the understudy for the mistress in another VOS Evita production 11 years ago.

After graduating from St. Andrew’s high school, Britt left Victoria to study musical theatre at Sheridan College, then joined a cruise ship company to perform musical revues. She returned to Victoria in October, auditioned in December and has been busy with rehearsals since.

Britt joins her mom, Mary-Lynne Britt, VOS President and Evita producer, and set-builder dad, John Britt, in her homecoming Evita debut role.