Rachel Zegler recently stepped out mid-show on Thursday evening, following which her understudy stepped in and received a five-minute-long standing ovation from the audience. Rachel, who exited due to illness, returned on Friday
Rachel Zegler in Evita
Rachel Zegler returned in her lead role in the musical Evita on Friday, July 25, a day after stepping out mid-show on Thursday, July 24. The actress reportedly left due to an illness, after which her understudy, Bella Brown, stepped in for the second half. She appeared back onstage in London just a night after her mid-show exit. The 24-year-old is currently making her London stage debut as Eva Perón in director Jamie Lloyd's revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic rock opera.
Rachel Zegler's understudy Bella Brown receives a standing ovation
According to People, Zegler’s departure from the show was announced during intermission. She reportedly fell ill, due to which she had to exit. Post which her understudy, Bella Brown, stepped in and took over the lead role of Eva Perón midway through Act 2 of Thursday's performance. Interestingly, Brown went in to receive a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes.
Following the show, Brown shared an Instagram story where she said, “Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry. They are pillars of a show!! A proud day to be at Evita.“ Notably, Brown and the rest of the cast also took 10 bows.
Rachel Zegler returns
Post the Thursday exit, the Golden Globe-winning actress returned on Friday to perform the noteworthy Act 2 outdoor balcony scene wherein she sings the iconic "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." The song is the most famous tune from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and songwriter Tim Rice's score.
The unique balcony-style performance of Eva Perón is a hallmark of Lloyd's production. He pulled off a similar act in last season's Tony Award-winning revival of Sunset Blvd., utilising cutting-edge video technology to capture an outdoor, live performance of a song and project it to those inside.
Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, which follows the controversial second wife of Argentine military leader-turned-president Juan Perón. The production began in June 14 and opened on July 1. It is currently scheduled to run until Sept. 6 in London.
The musical also stars Diego Andres Rodriguez as Che, James Olivas as Juan Perón and Aaron Lee Lambert as Agustín Magaldi. Meanwhile, Carl Au, Gabriela Benedetti, Shakara Brown, Damian Buhagiar, Kyeirah D'Marni, Sally Frith, DeAngelo Jones, Lucas Koch, Natasha Leaver, Michael Lin, Dianté Lodge, Louis Mackrodt, Mireia Mambo, Mia Mullarkey, Perry O’Dea, Alysha Sontae, Monica Swayne, Jon Tsouras and Harrison Wilde are also a part of the show's ensemble, with Myla Carmen, Barney Hudson, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Ricardo Spriggs and Regan Bailey Walker serves as Swings.
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