Performance Riverside will end its 2005-06 season with EVITA, the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical about enigmatic Argentine First Lady Eva Peron. EVITA is directed John Vaughan and opens at the Landis Performing Arts Center on June 9. Working with director Vaughan are Inland Theatre League and LA Ovation Award-winning musical director Don Le Master and choreographer Lee Martino.

Winner of seven Tony Awards, Evita chronicles the rise and fall of the legendary Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator, Juan Peron. One of the most popular collaborations from composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, this gripping theatrical experience features a compelling Latin, pop and jazz influenced score, including the memorable songs “Buenos Aires,” “Rainbow High,” and the international hit “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.”

Bets Malone returns to Performance Riverside to play the role of Eva Peron. Her other roles at Performance Riverside have been “Amy” in Company, “Polly Baker” in Crazy for You, “Sally Bowles” in Cabaret, and the title role in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. In 2004, Bets was featured in the Los Angeles world premiere of The Ten Commandments starring Val Kilmer. This March she received an LA Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Featured Performance for her portrayal of “Hildy” in On the Town!

Evita features Jason Webb as Ché, David Grant as Juan Peron, David Beaver as Agustín Magaldi, and Michaelia Leigh as Peron’s mistress. Cast in supporting roles are Karrie Albanese, Alan Bennett, Carlos Bronsal, Aaron Burr, Kelli Casas, Nicole Fernandes, Christopher Gomez, Lindsay Martin, Kelly O’Connor, Mitchell Peck, David Poole, Jennifer Pryor, Ruben Renteria, Jacqueline Rez, Chris Wade, and Ashlie Welte.

The Landis Performing Arts Center is located on the Riverside City College campus at 4800 Magnolia Avenue. Performances for EVITA are on June 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th at 8pm, June 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th at 2pm, and June 18th at 7pm. Tickets are $35, $30, $25, and $20, and can be purchased through the Landis Box Office, 951-222-8100.