Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA Extended Through March In Melbourne

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA is Melbourne's Summer Musical. One of the most celebrated musicals of all time, the original West End and Broadway production directed by Hal Prince, is currently playing at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne and due to overwhelming demand, the season has now been extended to March 3.

Tickets for the new performances are on sale now at evitathemusical.com.au

Starring the remarkable Tina Arena, the production completed a spectacular sold out season at the Sydney Opera House and similarly in Melbourne has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike.

The stellar cast is led by Australian icon, singer, songwriter and musical theatre star Tina Arena in the role of Eva Per n, opera superstar Paulo Szot as Juan Per n, and Kurt Kansley as the young revolutionary Che. Michael Falzon plays tango singer Magaldi, while the role of Per n's Mistress is played by Alexis van Maanen, making her professional debut. Jemma Rix is the Eva Per n Alternate at certain performances.

Completing the cast is Justin Anderson, Anton Berezin, Michael Camilleri, Olivia Carniato, Rachel Cole, Alie Coste, Jade Coutts, Kristian Crowe, Todd Dewberry, Rodney Dobson, Samantha Dodemaide, Laura Field, Zoy Frangos, Ashleigh Gurnett, Kate Maree Hoolihan, Georgina Hopson, Thomas Johansson, Kathleen Moore, Thern Reynolds, Christopher Scalzo, David Sirianni, Tod Strike, Simon Tichelaar, Dean Vince, Rachael Ward and Paul Whiteley.

The production also includes 18 very talented children all hailing from Melbourne. The young actors are Chelsey Abela (aged 8, Pascoe Vale South), Sebastian Astill (10, Prahran), Jasper Budd (9, Canterbury), Summer Bush (9, Ferntree Gully), Lucas Calzado-Yubero (11, Cheltenham), Jennah Coleman (8, Moonee Ponds), Aaron David (9, Sunbury), Marissa Enderby (9, Ivanhoe East), Katie Gorczynski (8, Lower Plenty), Christina Ivas (10, Lower Templestowe), Maisy Lester-Bryant (8, Northcote), Olivia Lupacchini (9, North Balwyn), Nathaniel Mitchell (10, Rosanna), Madeline Nesci (10, Templestowe), Aidan Synan (10, Moonee Ponds), Kershawn Theodore (10, Keysborough), Hannah Wing (10, Essendon) and Ruby Young (10, Donvale).

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA is iconic, with more than 20 major awards to its credit including the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Musical, a Golden Globe and an Oscar for the film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas.

Featuring some of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's best loved songs including 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', 'On This Night of a Thousand Stars', 'You Must Love Me' and 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall', EVITA charts the story of Eva Per n, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Per n, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the 'spiritual leader of the nation'.

Legendary Broadway director Hal Prince has won 21 Tony Awards, more than any person in history. Hal Prince will be joined by fellow original West End creative team members including choreographer Larry Fuller and designer Timothy O'Brien.

This musical captured the attention of the public when it was first staged in 1978 and in its 40th year and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 70th year, Opera Australia, John Frost and David Ian are thrilled to bring this modern masterpiece (New York Post) to Australia in all its original glory.