Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It is based on Mary Main's biography The Woman with the Whip, which explores the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón. The focus of the musical is on Eva's rise from her slum origins to the wife of Argentina's post-war nationalist leader Juan Peron, a position from which she held her people in thrall. Such was her power, she became her country's unofficial vice-president and as she grew richer, her people's poverty deepened. She died of cancer at the age of 33.
The show opened at the Broadway Theatre in September 1979, and closed in June 1983, after 1567 performances and 17 previews. Patti LuPone starred as Eva 'Evita' Peron, with Mandy Patinkin as Ché Guevara and Bob Gunton as Juan Perón.
The production had a spectacular debut in New York which resulted in 13 Tony Awards including Patti LuPone for Best Actress, Mandy Patinkin for Best Featured Actor, Best Score and Best Musical. 
I have never seen the stage repoduction of this show, but I am a huge fan of the movie starring Madonna as Eva. I know, you purists are scoffing right now, but I wasn't old enough to get myself to NYC to see the original, so I have to make due with what I have! For all the good and bad about Madonna, I have to say that she really grabbed ahold of this role and did the part justice. The soundtrack is wonderful, no matter who sings it, so praise is due to Andrew Lloyd Weber who writes a mean musical!
Historical information about Eva Peron can be found here. Great site!
Jump here for extensive information on Che Guevara.
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