Introduction to the Musical Event
Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old Snow White actor, was replaced by her second lineup, Bella Brown, during the interval of the Evita musical show at the London Palladium on Thursday, July 24. Zegler had been receiving enthusiastic reviews for her performance as Argentine politician Eva Perón in the musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The Unexpected Change
The audience was not given a reason for the change, which was announced during the interval. The Independent has contacted the London Palladium and a representative for Zegler for a statement. Brown, who played the role of the mistress in the first act, appeared enthusiastically about the opportunity, posting an Instagram story that night: "What a happy audience, both me and my angel Reg Zeg!! (sic)." She continued, "Today really showed how important the turns and cover are in this industry!! You are the pillars of the show!! A proud day to be at @officialevita."
The Performance and Reception
The production has received widespread attention for Zegler’s performances of "Don’t Cry for Me Argentina" from the balcony of the theater to members of the public. Brown entered the second half of the show in the same way. The performance received six curtain calls and a lengthy standing ovation from the audience, with one person taking "ten arches" due to the applause. A fan wrote: "It was astonishing to see Rachel tonight, but Bella Brown was sensational. I’m actually glad that we saw her doing the second act!" Another added: "Two appearances of two incredibly talented women. They will be awe of all alternatives, covers and swings forever because they are the those who keep the live theater alive."
Critical Acclaim
In a five-star review for The Independent, theater critic Alice Saville wrote: “You [Zegler’s] Voice has an emotional purity that captures the spoiled, childish quality of the Super-Rich, which is too worshiped to look at a life without looking at it. Zegler portrays Evita as a natural actress who works effortlessly from the small town media player and pretends to fall in love with men who can help her get gigs and then cut out just as quickly. If she gets married Perón, her new position as a wife of the dictator is the ultimate role." The musical continues to receive critical acclaim, with audiences praising the talented performances of both Zegler and Brown.
