FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2014 Media Contact: Kathryn Walters Phone: 812-599-9057 kathrynwalterspr@gmail.com
TONY AWARD-WINNING “EVITA” GRACES CENTENNIAL HALL AUDITORIUM STAGE ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Quad Cities Theater Society brings “Evita”, the Tony Award-winning rock opera, to the Centennial Hall Auditorium beginning April 10. Tickets become available March 25 and cost $15 per person. “Evita” is based on the life of Eva Perón, wife of Argentine president Juan Perón in the late 1940s, early 1950s. After her rise to fame as a cultural symbol to her country, despite claims of hustling and prostitution from critics, the “Princess Di” of Argentina stands before her people to announce she has cancer in the well-acclaimed ballad, “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.” After her death, the people of Argentina realize the impact Eva Perón had on the country. The show runs April 10 through April 20. Performances begin at 8 p.m. for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening shows, and at 2:30 p.m. for matinees. In addition, a VIP preview is available for Wednesday, April 9 at 8 p.m. The special preview ticket costs $30 and includes refreshments and an opportunity to meet the cast in a party scheduled for 11 p.m. The production features Laura Jensen (“Candide”) in the lead role as Eva Perón. Local musician Matt Amador is making his theatrical debut as Ché, and Allen Rench will play Péron. Rehearsals are currently underway. Director John Rogozinski, drama professor at Augustana College, said, “We are fortunate to have both veterans and those new to theater in the show. For us, this makes a very special chemistry that I believe the audience will connect well to. -MORE-
“Evita has been a dream of mine for quite some time,” he continued, “I was a fan of the 1996 film version with Madonna, but when I saw the 2012 revival on Broadway, I knew we had to bring a production to Rock Island.” Tickets for “Evita” go on sale beginning March 25 and can be purchased at the Centennial Hall Auditorium located at 3703 7th Ave. Rock Island, Ill., 61201. Box-office hours run TuesdaySaturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The office can be reached at 309-794-7307. # # #