Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1978 musical “Evita” is a large call for a small stage, and San Francisco Playhouse’s production, directed by the troupe’s co-founder Bill English, mostly meets the challenge. With a solid cast and sprightly offstage band led by Dave Dobrusky bringing the spiky, bright score to life, and Nicole Helfer’s tango-laced choreography, it weighs in with a fair measure of pizzazz.
Eva in her drive to rise from the lower classes to become Argentina’s First Lady in 1945— propelled by a rotating team of highly placed lovers—is ferociously portrayed by Sophia Alawi, whose brilliant, somewhat raw voice nails “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” and one or two other takeaway songs in the show.
Alex Rodriguez is fine as Che Guevara (the two were contemporaries but never met). He runs the narrative with irony and menace. It’s an important pairing; he is there as a kind of counterpart to Evita’s evil, grabby nature, so that the audience doesn’t fall for the sainted side.
When Eva finally captivates Perón (an appropriately stiff Peter Gregus) and sings “I’d Be Surprisingly Good for You,” there is no doubt who rules—not only the stolid leader but the people. They loved her for what she gave them—housing, universal health care and much more—and she loved them back.
Alawi probes Evita’s character effectively: Her power-mad nature (“Machiavell Me!”) and her love of luxury (“Christian Dior Me!”) in “Rainbow High” are obsessions that only ramp up the people’s adoration.
The second act presents challenges. Plot development is scarce, and although director English adopts some of Harold Prince’s touches from the original 1970s production (the hilarious marching military squads and packs of fur-trimmed socialites), they don’t flesh out the downer narrative of Peron’s downfall and Evita’s illness and death.
A thin crowd of “shirtless” citizens representing the Perons’ supporters doesn’t work well either. These are small quibbles, though, with a show that powers the music engagingly and livens the stage.
“Evita” runs through Sept. 7 at San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St., San Francisco. Tickets are $30 to $125 at sfplayhouse.org or (415) 677-9596.
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