Y Crazy Mind

The role of Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” is one of the most challenging and demanding in live stage production. This is by design. The character goes through a major transformation and any actress portraying her must embody the range from insecure girl to that of a woman who navigates tremendous trials and emerges stronger. It’s a tale of self-discovery coupled with strength. For the past two years, Eva Tavares has been Christine in the Networks Touring production of this legendary tale. There’s something beyond the singing and acting ability Ms. Tavares brings to the role; an invisible undercurrent. That might have something to do with her own transformation. While she planned on pursuing a professional career as a dancer, a simple suggestion to pursue vocal training led her down a path of being propelled into the spotlight for other talents. In the same way Christine became the center of attention in this musical, Eva has appeared throughout Canada and U...

In spite of what you may be hearing on the news or from your tween family members, the classics are not dead. The Sound of Music is a cherished musical production that is accessible to virtually every culture in the world. The London West End production of this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic spent six months in South Africa attesting to the incredible popularity of this story and some of the world’s premier performers. In contrast to the presumption that only rock and pop music stars tour overseas for half a year, this timeless story of family and positivity in the wake of events that would disrupt the entire world continues to find fans more than half a century after its creation. The West End production made its way from London to major theaters in Cape Town, Johannesburg, the Western Cape, and the Northern Province in South Africa. What is unique about this specific production is that the sets, costuming, and choreography were done by the British team but all of the actors ...