Tina Arena confirmed as Eva Peron in Evita

Producers confirmed today that iconic Australian singer / songwriter Tina Arena will play the lead role of Eva Peron in the upcoming Opera Australia / GFO co-production of Evita.

Arena is no stranger to the strange having previously appeared in Cabaret, Nine, Dynamite, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and a stint on the West End as Roxie Hart in Chicago. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “I am absolutely thrilled that my wish that Hal Prince’s wonderful production of Evita should be seen again is to be fulfilled, and to renew my association with Tina Arena.”

“We are thrilled that Tina Arena has agreed to return to the Australian musical theatre stage to play this pivotal role in this renowned production of EVITA,” said Lyndon Terracini and John Frost.

“Tina is an extraordinary artist with a commanding stage presence. She will leave an indelible impression with this demanding role, which has been played by Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, Stephanie Lawrence, Elena Roger and, in the original Australian production, Jennifer Murphy.”

The production will be directed by legendary (to the tune of 21 Tony Awards) Broadway director Hal Prince and will open at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, with tickets on sale from 31 August.

Auditions for the rest of the cast will take place in Melbourne and Sydney in early September.

For more details visit: Evitathemusical.com.au