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Rachel Zegler is making a splash as Eva Peron. The American actress is currently portraying the iconic role in the West End production of "Evita," marking her debut in one of the world's most iconic theater districts. One of the most striking parts of the show features her performing outside the theater's balcony for free, singing a version of "Don't Cry For Me Argentina."
Zegler's moment comes midway through the show, where she emerges on the exterior balcony of the London Palladium and performs "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" to the outside crowd for free.
Photographers have captured the moment, showing Zegler with blonde hair, jewelry, and a white gown, as she serenades the crowds.
The song is one of the most memorable numbers from the musical and a clear departure from previous "Evita" productions. As preview performances have taken place over the past week, crowds have begun to gather outside, awaiting Zegler's performance.
Theater goers get to witness the moment from a screen, from within the theater, a novel yet growing trend in some of the most successful theater productions of the past couple of years.
“Within the theater, it’s really exciting because suddenly you see her with a genuine huge crowd, which you can’t do onstage,” said Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show's composer, to The Associated Press.
"I think there will be people who are disappointed that she hasn’t sung it live in the theater, but I think it’s going to be greatly outweighed by the theatricality of using film in that way.”
Zegler's dream of portraying Evita
Zegler's involvement in "Evita" was announced earlier this year, with her sharing that the opportunity was a dream role for her.
“The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can’t wait to make my West End debut in such great company," she said in a statement.