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The upcoming production of Evita, the first collaboration between TPAC and Franklin-based theater company Studio Tenn, mixes local talent with big Broadway names.
The musical interprets the life of sensational Argentinian politician and first lady Eva Perón, following her journey from her teenage days to her death. Eden Espinosaa Broadway powerhouse known for playing Elphaba in Wickedplays the lead role. In total, three Broadway stars will be cast in leading rolesbut 38 local artists, including several Belmont students, round out the production.
Mia Rose Lynn, who moved to Nashville from New York four years ago, plays one of the main roles as Perón's mistress. Lynn has worked with both TPAC and Studio Tenn on previous performances, and she looks forward to the collaboration.
'Just knowing the attention to detail and excellent quality that Studio Tenn always has, combined with that beautiful space at TPAC[it] is going to be really spectacular,” she says.
Matt Logan manages the role of Artistic Director of Studio Tenn, as well as the director and set and costume designer for Evita. His vision for the show differentiates from past interpretations of the script, which should give theater goers a show that is both faithful to the original and unique to Nashville.
'My vision for this piece is different than anything I've ever seen done with the show, Evita,” he says. 'Typically, it's very factual, kind of cold, minimal. With our production, I'm really wanting to give a little glimmer of Argentina.” Lynn adds, 'Matt is just really great at digging up the real meaning behind any moment.”
In addition to the local talent involved both on and off the stage, the set and costumes for the show are being constructed in Franklin.
'I think it's a great testament to the incredible art being created in Nashville, Tennessee, and what is possible,” Logan says. 'And [I] still look to big cities for inspiration, but there's no reason that we couldn't create strong, stellar, and competitive work right here.”