Editing Tina Arena (section)

===2018 ''Evita'': Australian tour production===
The [[Opera Australia]] 2018 national tour, ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]]'', was the 40th-anniversary restaging of the original [[Harold Prince]] production. Prince's production won seven Tony Awards when it moved to Broadway after originally opening in London's West End, and it became the template for subsequent productions of the musical for the following quarter of a century.<ref name="ReferenceE">{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/evita-review-dont-cry-for-tina-arenas-timely-eva-20180918-h15j7i.html|title=Evita review: Don't cry for Tina Arena's timely Eva|first=Joyce|last=Morgan|date=19 September 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceF">{{Cite web|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/evita-opera-australia-gordon-frost/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001070237/https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/reviews/evita-opera-australia-gordon-frost/|url-status=dead|title=★★★★☆ Evita (Opera Australia, Gordon Frost)|archive-date=1 October 2018}}</ref> The musical charts [[Eva Perón]]'s life from an ambitious teenager, through her career as the [[First Lady of Argentina]] from 1946, until her death in 1952 at the age of 33. It includes some of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's best known material, including "[[Another Suitcase in Another Hall]]" and "[[Don't Cry for Me Argentina]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/tina-arena-to-play-evita-at-the-sydney-opera-house-20170821-gy0suf.html|title=Tina Arena to play Evita at the Sydney Opera House|first=Nathanael|last=Cooper|date=21 August 2017|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/tina-arena-will-help-young-stars-find-their-voices-on-the-big-stage-in-evita-musical/news-story/9edbccd1b5ae5ddd1fb33b47a1f9b143|title=Tina Arena to steer kids in musical|date=5 May 2018|website=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia|access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref>

====Casting====
On 21 August 2017, Opera Australia announced that Arena would be taking on the lead role of Eva Perón in the 2018 Australian touring production of ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]]''. The tour opened at [[Sydney Opera House]], in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, on 13 September 2018, with the season running to 3 November 2018. It subsequently moved to the [[Arts Centre Melbourne]] from 5 to 30 December 2018.<ref name="opera.org.au">{{Cite web|url=https://opera.org.au/whatson/events/evita-sydney?noloc=true|title=Evita &#124; Opera Australia|website=Opera.org.au|access-date=12 August 2019|archive-date=14 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814135217/https://opera.org.au/whatson/events/evita-sydney?noloc=true|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="aussietheatre.com.au">{{Cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/tina-arena-confirmed-eva-peron-evita|title=Tina Arena confirmed as Eva Peron in Evita |date=21 August 2017|website=AussieTheatre.com}}</ref> Arena said that she was "terrified", but described the role as "a precious gift for myself and for any female performer". She said that she felt "blessed to work with someone who has had the kind of career that Hal Prince has had". Arena also says she felt the time was right to tackle the role: "I have been approached to do this role on a couple of occasions. I never felt emotionally ready for it. I felt I had a lot of living and learning before I could get up and take on the enormity of the story and the human spirit she possessed." Arena expressed of knowing about Eva Perón since she was a little girl, and feeling privileged to be able to recount the story and embrace the complex role.<ref name="geelongadvertiser.com.au">{{Cite web|url=https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/national/tina-arena-talks-evita/video/a725a6acf535364878332d1ce21f8daa|title=Tina Arena talks Evita|date=15 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceG">{{Cite web |url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/tina-arena-is-australias-new-evita/ |title=Tina Arena is Australia's new Evita - Limelight |access-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001182048/https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/tina-arena-is-australias-new-evita/ |archive-date=1 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 7 May 2018, Opera Australia's artistic director, Lyndon Terracini, along with producers John Frost and David Ian, announced the full cast for the upcoming Australian production of ''Evita''. With Arena announced in the lead role as Eva Perón, the remainder of the cast was announced as: [[Paulo Szot]], Brazilian operatic baritone, and winner of a [[Tony Award]] for best actor on Broadway 2008, in the role of [[Juan Perón]]; Kurt Kansley (The Lion King, Rent, Godspell, Show Boat) will take on the role of the revolutionary [[Che Guevara]]. [[Michael Falzon (actor)|Michael Falzon]] (We Will Rock You, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess) will portray [[tango music|tango]] singer [[Agustín Magaldi]], while the role of Perón's Mistress will be played by Alexis van Maanen. [[Jemma Rix]] (WICKED, The Wizard of Oz) has been cast as the alternate [[Eva Perón]] and is currently scheduled to be appearing in the role at least once a week throughout the Sydney season, according to the Evita-Australia website.<ref name="ReferenceG"/><ref name="ReferenceH">{{Cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/evita-full-cast-announced|title=Evita full cast announced |date=7 May 2018|website=AussieTheatre.com}}</ref><ref name="evitathemusical.com.au">{{Cite web|url=https://evitathemusical.com.au/|title=Evita The Musical|website=Evita The Musical}}</ref>

On 21 July 2018, Terracini, along with producers John Frost and David Ian, announced the 18 young performers who have been cast in the upcoming production of ''Evita'', in season at the Sydney Opera House from September 2018. Three sets of six children will alternate in ensemble roles.<ref name="ReferenceH"/><ref name="evitathemusical.com.au"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/sydney/article/Childrens-Cast-Announced-For-EVITA-in-Sydney-20180721|title=Children's Cast Announced For EVITA in Sydney|website=BroadwayWorld.com}}</ref>

====Arena on Eva Perón====
In taking on the titular role of [[Eva Perón]] in ''Evita'' for Opera Australia, Arena commented to the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]'s ''[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]'' magazine that she was "terrified", but described the role as "a precious gift for myself and for any female performer". She said that she felt "blessed to work with someone who has had the kind of career that Hal Prince has had". Arena also notes that she felt the time was right to tackle the role:

<blockquote>I have been approached to do this role on a couple of occasions. I never felt emotionally ready for it. I felt I had a lot of living and learning before I could get up and take on the enormity of the story and the human spirit she possessed. I don't think I was ready in my 30s to play Eva Perón at all. Playing the role of Eva Perón at 50, is much more suited to the life experience that I have had.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cronan |first1=Mattie |title=I'm better in my skin at 50 |url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/australian-womens-weekly-nz/20180621/281681140597428 |publisher=[[The Australian Women's Weekly]] |access-date=19 May 2023 |via=[[PressReader]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519115214/https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/australian-womens-weekly-nz/20180621/281681140597428 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |language=en |date=21 Jun 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

Arena talked of knowing about Perón since she was a girl and about feeling privileged to recount the story and embrace the complex role.<ref name="geelongadvertiser.com.au"/><ref name="ReferenceG"/>

====Opening night: Sydney Opera House====
The official opening night of the ''Evita'' at the [[Sydney Opera House]] was on 13 September 2018. ''Evita's'' lyricist, Sir [[Tim Rice]], attended, having travelled to Australia for the event a week after joining the [[EGOT]] winners club. Arena received a prolonged standing ovation for the portrayal as Eva Perón.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/social-seen-tina-arena-s-standing-ovation-at-evita-opening-night-20180918-p504fr.html|title=Social Seen: Tina Arena's standing ovation at Evita opening night|first=Amy|last=Croffey|date=22 September 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Sydney's ''[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that "Arena soars in a sublime performance of the First Lady of Argentina. Even those who don't know the musical ''Evita'', are probably familiar with the song 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina' and it was at this point on opening night that Arena really powered into her own as Eva Perón."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://myaccount.news.com.au/sites/dailytelegraph/subscribe.html?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&mode=premium&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fentertainment%2Farts%2Ftina-soars-in-sublime-performance-as-first-lady-of-musical-theatre%2Fnews-story%2Ff0fab6713677f79c48716e1ea4b7dc59&memtype=anonymous |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001104151/https://myaccount.news.com.au/sites/dailytelegraph/subscribe.html?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&mode=premium&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fentertainment%2Farts%2Ftina-soars-in-sublime-performance-as-first-lady-of-musical-theatre%2Fnews-story%2Ff0fab6713677f79c48716e1ea4b7dc59&memtype=anonymous |archive-date=1 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====National tour: Arts Centre Melbourne====
The Victorian tour leg of the ''Evita'' tour was at the State Theatre at the [[Arts Centre Melbourne]] in December 2018.<ref name="opera.org.au"/><ref name="aussietheatre.com.au"/><ref name="evitathemusical.com.au"/>

In February 2019, it was reported that the production had become the highest selling show ever staged at the State Theatre.<ref name="ReferenceJ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/australia-melbourne/article/EVITA-Breaks-Record-Becoming-Highest-Selling-Show-Ever-At-Arts-Centre-Melbourne-20190203|title=EVITA Breaks Record Becoming Highest Selling Show Ever at Arts Centre Melbourne|website=Broadwayworld.com}}</ref> Claire Spencer, CEO of the Arts Centre Melbourne, noted that "It is fantastic to have such an accomplished cast, including cherished global star Tina Arena perform Evita at Arts Centre Melbourne. Tina is particularly close to our hearts as one of the 'Patrons of the Australian Music Vault' at Arts Centre Melbourne."<ref name="artsreview.com.au">{{Cite web|url=http://artsreview.com.au/evita-breaks-records-becoming-highest-selling-show-ever-at-arts-centre-melbourne/|title=EVITA breaks records becoming highest selling show ever at Arts Centre Melbourne|website=Artsreview.com.au|date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

====Critical reception====
On 19 September 2018, the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]'s classical music and arts magazine [[Limelight (magazine)|''Limelight'']]'s theatre reviewer, Angus McPherson, gave a four-star review of ''Evita'' at the Sydney Opera House. The review, "Evita – Tina Arena gives us a vocally high flying Evita in Hal Prince's original production", stated that, "The role of the tough, ambitious, Evita isn't an easy sing, and it comes with baggage—anyone taking it on is walking in the footsteps of the likes of Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone and Madonna (in the 1996 film with Antonio Banderas)—but Arena proves herself more than equal to the vocal demands. She doesn't have the heavy belt of a LuPone, but she's got a deliciously sultry low register and she handles the lighter high notes with confidence, letting rip when it's called for—her rallying oration in 'A New Argentina', buoyed by the chorus, is a rousing finale to the show's first act. Brazilian opera singer Paulo Szot, brings a magisterial baritone to Juan Perón. Arena comes into her own in the second act, with highlights including the show's hit Don't Cry For Me Argentina (in quite a broad rendition), as well as Rainbow High, Waltz for Eva and Che and You Must Love Me—which was written for Madonna in the film and inserted here, Arena alone onstage, 'in concert' style. The show ends on a sombre note, and if Evita's final moments don't quite hit home emotionally, her assumption of power is thrillingly done, Arena's vocals capturing her commanding power and charisma."<ref name="ReferenceF"/>

On 19 September 2018, ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' theatre reviewer, Joyce Morgan, gave a four-star review of ''Evita''. The review, "Evita review: Don't cry for Tina Arena's timely Eva", states that "What you do get is a show with renewed currency about the rise and demise of one of Latin America's most intriguing and controversial figures, Eva Peron. You also get a woman at the height of her musical powers in the show-stopper scene as Tina Arena, in the title role, steps regally along the presidential balcony to deliver with melting clarity and conviction the anthemic 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina'. In this 40th-anniversary restaging of the original [[Harold Prince]] production, the misogyny, sexism and patronising disdain by the powerful forces arrayed against our heroine takes the breath away. Not least because some of the abuse seems as current as that excreted by social media trolls. Rice's lyrics still pack a punch."<ref name="ReferenceE"/>

On 20 September 2018, ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'s}} musicals reviewer, Clarissa Sebag-Montefiore, gave a four-star review of ''Evita''. The review, "Tina Arena is Resplendent and Tough as Designer Dictator", stated that "In Opera Australia's production, Eva Perón wins over a nation with a Christian Dior dress and steely determination, and a killer ballad steals the show. At the centre of it all is Evita, played with a resplendent toughness by Arena. It is to her credit that in a few hours she can turn from a naive, if plucky, teenager eager to leave her poor upbringing behind to a grown woman ravaged by illness and yet still desperate to cling to the last vestiges of power. The score stands the test of time too, Under director [[Harold Prince]]'s deft hands, the song, 'Don't Cry for Me Argentina', shows its true colours: it is designed as a master class in political manipulation."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/sep/20/evita-review-tina-arena-is-resplendent-and-tough-as-designer-dictator|title=Evita review: Tina Arena is resplendent and tough as designer dictator|first=Clarissa|last=Sebag-Montefiore|date=20 September 2018|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

In February 2019, it was reported that the production had become the highest selling show ever staged at the State Theatre, [[Arts Centre Melbourne]].<ref name="ReferenceJ"/> Claire Spencer, the Arts Centre Melbourne CEO, said that "It is fantastic to have such an accomplished cast, including cherished global star Tina Arena perform Evita at Arts Centre Melbourne. Tina is particularly close to our hearts as one of the Patrons of the Australian Music Vault at Arts Centre Melbourne."<ref name="artsreview.com.au"/>

On 2 May 2019, ''[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]]'' reported that Opera Australia published its [[annual report]] for 2018, stating that "Opera Australia posts a (AU)$5.6 million profit for 2018." Details published that "overall attendance was 543,498 from 637 total performances, with the numbers bolstered by the musical ''[[My Fair Lady]]''. Seasons of the musical ''Evita'' in Sydney and Melbourne led the charge in 2018, followed by the Handa Opera on [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]] production of ''[[La bohème]]''."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/opera-australia-posts-5-6-million-profit-for-2018/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806004027/https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/opera-australia-posts-5-6-million-profit-for-2018/|url-status=dead|title=Opera Australia posts $5.6&nbsp;million profit for 2018|archive-date=6 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/sydney/theatre/handa-opera-on-sydney-harbour-the-guide|title=Time Out's guide to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour|website=Time Out Sydney|date=6 March 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref>

In June 2019, Arena was nominated in the category of Best Female Actor in a Musical at the annual [[Helpmann Awards]] for her role as [[Eva Perón]] in ''Evita''. Arena was nominated alongside Luisa Scrofani, Natalie Abbott, and [[Ursula Yovich]]. The award was won by Yovich for ''[[Barbara and the Camp Dogs]]''.<ref name="helpmannawards.com.au"/>