Asolo Rep Reunites All-Star Cast of Evita in Concert Helmed by Broadway’s Josh Rhodes

March 31, 2021 – Sarasota

Asolo Rep proudly closes its 2021 outdoor season with Ana Isabelle & Friends in Concert: Stand Back, Sarasota! The concert reunites some of the stars of the theatre’s 2017 hit production of Evita. Directed by Broadway’s Josh Rhodes, the concert previews April 15 &16, opens April 17 and runs thru April 24 on Asolo Rep’s outdoor Terrace Stage, located on the front steps of the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

When the sun goes down, the heat kicks up when unstoppable actress, singer, dancer, and Latin pop sensation Ana Isabelle takes the Terrace Stage in a rare concert appearance. After her explosive performance as Eva Perón in Asolo Rep’s Evita in 2017, Ana landed the role of Rosalia in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming West Side Story; joined a veteran film cast in Imprisoned starring Laurence Fishburne; and co-starred in the remake of Coppola’s Dementia 13. Now, she reunites with some of her Evita co-stars, including Justin Gregory Lopez (Che), and tango dancers Guadalupe Garcia and Junior Cervila, in an electric evening of song and dance. Filled with Broadway standards and her own pop hits, this is a musical event not to miss. 

“This show will be a fantastic fusion of music and dance from the Broadway stage and around the world,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “It springs from the lives of the individual artists coming together to make it, but I truly believe it will speak to a universal experience. Reuniting this fantastic group of Latinx artists, who all appeared in our 2017 production of Evita, will be the perfect, spectacular finale to the Terrace Stage season. With Josh Rhodes directing, this is a team that cares deeply for each other, for telling amazing stories, and for the Sarasota audience.”  

Justin Gregory Lopez recently appeared in Dave Malloy’s hit off-Broadway musical Octet (Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance) and original cast recording, as well as NBC’s Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominatedJesus Christ Superstar Live starring John Legend and Sara Bareilles.  

Celebrated tango dancers Junior Cervila and Guadalupe Garcia have performed around the world, including Amsterdam, London, Munich, Paris and more. They also serve as judges for the World Tango Championships. 

Josh Rhodes previously directed The Sound of Music, Evita, Guys and Dolls and more at Asolo Rep. On Broadway he choreographed Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, First Date, It Shoulda Been You, and Bright Star.  He was also the choreographer of Carousel on London’s West End. His work has also been seen at New York City Centre Encores, the MUNY and the Old Globe. 

“This special show is what happens when four friends get the chance to come home to a theater they love and create a show that is uniquely crafted for them,” said Director Josh Rhodes. “It’s a beautiful homecoming! These Latinx artists are singing the music that inspires them. There will be pop music, Latin music, Broadway music, and lots of dancing. When you have Ana Isabelle with Junior, Guada, and Justin it is guaranteed to entertain, impress and make you dance in your seat.”

Stand Back, Sarasota! reunites Josh Rhodes with Evita creative team members Paul Tate dePoo III (Projection Designer) and Sinai Tabak (Music Supervisor & Arranger). The creative team also includes James Rushin (Music Director), Adam C. Spencer (Scenic Designer), David M. Covach and April Carswell (Costume Designers), Ethan Vail (Lighting Designer), Matthew Parker (Sound Designer), and Michelle Hart (Resident Hair & Make-up Designer).

Asolo Rep’s Outdoor Series is brought to you by Headline Sponsors, Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth.  Additional support for the series is provided by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and the Linnie E. Dalbeck Memorial Foundation Trust.

Tickets start at $25 for blanketed lawn seating. Patrons must bring their own blankets. Seated tickets start at $40.

Tickets are on sale online only at www.asolorep.org.