Why Rachel Zegler’s ‘Evita’ Performance Is Upsetting Live Theatergoers

Snow White star Rachel Zegler is upsetting fans again, but this time it’s over her director’s creative decision in London’s West End staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic musical Evita.

Zegler, of course, has faced several controversies over the past three-plus years because of Snow White, after she made comments about how the live-action remake of the 1937 animated classic is dated. Later on, Zegler caused a stir with politically divisive social media posts about the 2024 presidential election.

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The newest controversy surrounding Zegler, though, is of Evita director Jamie Lloyd’s doing. According to The Guardian, Zegler, who stars as Eva Perón — the second wife of Argentine President Juan Perón — in Evita, performs her showstopping tune Don’t Cry for Me Argentina on a balcony to fans on the street outside the London Palladium instead of inside the venue for the show’s ticket buyers.

As such, The Guardian reported, fans have been assembling outside the theater on Argyll Street at about 9 p.m. every night the show is being performed, while theatergoers inside are left to watch a video feed of the performance on a big screen.

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The Guardian sampled some reactions on social media to Lloyd’s bold move, including one user, who wrote, “Sorry, are you saying I’ve paid £350 [roughly $470] for 2 tickets and she’s singing the biggest number outside at people who haven’t paid?”

Metro UK also quoted some disgruntled social media users, including Marcusgomezz26, who wrote, ‘I’m seeing it on Thursday and I’m excited but the fact singing this outside while everyone inside theatre have to see it on screen kinda of a rip off for our money while people who haven’t got a ticket can see it outside FOR FREE.”

Evita started previews on Saturday and officially opens on July 1.

London Music Writer Says Rachel Zegler’s ‘Evita’ Balcony Performance Is Fitting For The Material

While some paying fans are upset over Rachel Zegler’s performance Don’t Cry for Me Argentina on the balcony of the London Palladium, the move persuaded Metro’s music writer, Danni Scott that it was a fitting move considering the source material.

“While I had not purchased a ticket, I initially found myself siding with the disgruntled Evita audience members,” Scott told Metro. “If I had paid hard-earned cash to see a show, I’d be disappointed (at best) if the biggest song was performed off-stage.

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“Jamie Lloyd’s production works on the symbolism that those in the theatre are the ‘rich’ bourgeoisie, while those on the street are the ‘poor’ Argentines, to whom Evita is singing,” she added. “His positioning alienates those — like my family — who see a West End show as a one-off or special occasion-only event. As a child, I only saw one West End show; had that been this production of Evita, I’d have been devastated to miss out on the big number.”

Scott’s feelings changed, though, after seeing Zegler’s performance.

I [realized] it was exactly people in my position growing up that she was singing for,” Scott told Metro.

Evita, starring Rachel Zegler, is scheduled to run at London Palladium through Sept. 6.

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