Dawn DiNome’s vocal prowess, acting ability and – most importantly – sense of womanhood stripped away Eva Peron’s mythological coating Tuesday in Savannah Center.
DiNome shares the title role in “Evita” with Mary Jo Vitale. The sold out KC Productions’ musical runs Wednesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Savannah.
From the feverish tango of “Buenos Aires” to the melancholy contemplation of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” DiNome fleshed out the body and soul of Evita.
And DiNome’s theatrical sensibility and female perspective made the revered and sometimes despised Argentine legend real.
“This is a tremendously challenging part and Dawn handled it well,” said Alex Santoriello, the Broadway veteran who directed the show and played the role of Che. “She’s youthful, experienced and works hard.”
Evita dominates the stage for nearly two hours. There is no spoken dialogue and she is singing every line. It’s a long, arduous performance.
DiNome held up throughout the musical, by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
She was frisky and sexy as the youthful Evita, using men and anything else to rise above poverty in Argentina. She becomes a movie and radio star.
Then comes the seduction of President Juan Peron, ably played by Tim Casey. Actually, with these two, it’s hard to figure out who is being seduced.
DiNome makes it clear in “I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You,” that she and Juan can make beautiful music together.
Evita moves into the presidential palace and her first move is to toss out Peron’s mistress – played with sympathy by Kathleen Kane.
DiNome interacts with Santoriello’s Che throughout the musical. As Evita becomes a champion for the poor and disenfranchised, Che haunts Evita for her materialistic hunger.
There is a real conflict between the revolutionary Che and the naked opportunism of Evita. She grows into the role of social leader and eventually wants to move into politics as vice president.
“Evita” is the story of a woman being used by men, but she also uses them. It’s about sexual politics and class struggles.
DiNome is able to portray Evita with honest reflection, cold realism and feministic power.
Near the end, dying of cancer, Evita reconciles her past with her present. DiNome’s heartfelt and searing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” is a poignant epitaph for a woman who changed a nation.