Top new face lands role of ‘Evita’ in Harper production
Stephanie Herman, 25, who was chosen as one of the top 10 young actors to watch in Chicago, has the lead playing Eva Peron in the hit rock opera “Evita,” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, March 20 and 25-27 at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine.
A graduate of Lake Park High School in Roselle, Herman moved to Chicago to pursue an acting career and has appeared in productions at the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, as well as Writer’s Theatre in Highland Park.
But the chance to play Eva Peron, the legendary first lady of Argentina, coupled with the opportunity to work with the show’s director, Kevin Long, an instructor at Harper College, drew Harman back to the suburbs.
“I worked on ‘Sunday in the Park with George,’ the Stephen Sondheim play that Kevin directed last year in Oak Park (at the theater formerly called the Village Player’s Theatre, now called the Madison Street Theatre),” Herman said.
“Kevin is just amazing, and amongst the best directors around, so I tried out for the part,” she said. “To be able to pull a character from real life, who existed as a historical figure, is a rare opportunity.”
“Evita” is loosely based on the true story of Eva Peron, who was born illegitimate and in poverty, but uses her ambition so that by the time she is 17 years old, she leaves her home for the bright lights of Buenos Aires.
Within three years she carves out a career as a radio and film actress while the press links her to a number of powerful men, including a popular politician named Juan Peron.
Herman says she has read biographies about Eva Perón, and viewed videos of her speeches.
“When Eva spoke, her energy came through in her strong gestures,” said Herman. “The people felt that.”
Herman says that Peron hid Evita’s illiteracy, impoverished background and illegitimacy from her devotees.
“That’s why you never see a speech being handed to Eva; she couldn’t read it.”
The actress, who works at a family-owned jewelry store in Skokie, is also getting ready to appear in “Merrily We Roll Along,” by Stephen Sondheim, at the Music Theatre Company, beginning March 31. She is playing the role of Gussie, a Broadway star whom the audience meets when she is 40 years old. By the end of the play, Gussie is 20 years old.
“With her classically trained voice and formidable stage presence, this 25-year-old easily commands attention,” wrote one theater critic.
Previously, Herman appeared as Sally Bowles in the Harper production of “Cabaret.” Besides Herman, the leads in “Evita” include: Tony Calzaretta, Schaumburg, as Juan Perón; Christian Ketter, as Che Guevara; Michael Buonincontro, as Magaldi; and Morgan Glynn Briggs as Peron’s Mistress, all from Chicago.
Harper students in the ensemble: Pete Almeida, Amy Bryan, Ryan Gore, and Christine Westerkamp, all of Arlington Heights; Julio Alvarez and Noreen Patel, both from Hoffman Estates; Michael Jaramillo, Lake Zurich; Jennifer Lenius, Mount Prospect; Martina McNulty and Katie Ohlrich, both of Palatine; Alex Vokoun, Wood Dale.
Community members in the ensemble: Michael Baylon, Bartlett; Brian Birch, Aurora; Elaine Carmosino, Schaumburg; Cassandra Cushman, Chicago; Katy Grocholski, Elk Grove Village; Adoniss Hutcheson and Draven Hutcheson, both of St. Charles; Kristin Kapinos and Lisa Kovarik, both of Arlington Heights; Thom Lange, Cary; Claire Latourette, Rolling Meadows; Kathleen Miulli, Geneva; Gary Peterson, Hoffman Estates; Amy Vracar, Evanston; Emily Whaley, Schaumburg; and Krista Whitehair, Palatine.
The “Evita” production team includes Jeremy Ramey, music director; Linda Fortunato, choreographer; Rebecca Hamlin, scenic designer; John Sanchez, lighting designer; Jane DeBondt, costume designer; Kurt Ottinger, sound designer, Jason Piksher, technical director; and Wendy Gohr, stage manager.
Performances, which will be in the Performing Arts Center at Harper College, are at 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, and Saturday, March 26. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. Sundays, March 20 and 27.
There will be a “Coffee with the Director” before each Sunday matinee performance at 1 p.m. with coffee and dessert. Parking is most convenient in lot No. 2. Tickets are $12 for Harper students, faculty/staff and seniors. General admission tickets are $15.
Call (847) 925-6100 for tickets and information or visit harpercollege.edu.