Hickory – Two talented local actors, Jared Wachsmuth and Paul David Kurts, take on iconic roles in the Hickory Community Theatre’s upcoming production of Evita. Performances begin on June 10 and continue through June 20.
Wachsmuth has the role of Ché, a character who acts as an omniscient narrator and outspoken critic of Eva Peron, and guides the audience through Eva’s life story with a passionate and sardonic cynicism. Unlike other characters in this musical drama, Ché is not based on a particular historical figure but is a representative of those who opposed the Perón regime.
About this role, Wachsmuth says, “I love how interactive I can be with the audience. Like many others, I have been dying to be on stage again and I was happy for the chance to play the role.” His previous HCT stage outings were Beautiful Star in 2018 and Newsies in 2019.
Unlike Wachsmuth, Paul David Kurts is playing a role based on a real person, Juan Perón, president of Argentina. Like his character, Kurts is a military man who has served 22 years in the US Air Force. Originally from Jackson, MS, he relocated to Hickory, with his wife Emma Lee, to pastor a church. They have two sons, Jimmy (24) and Mikey (22). Kurts first stage role at HCT was in the ensemble of Les Misérables in 2014 and his most recent was Sam in Mamma Mia in 2019.
In Evita, Eva Duarte Perón rises from poverty to become an Argentinian actress and the wife of powerful President Juan Peron. Through a series of flashbacks, Eva transforms from an impoverished teenager into a woman of influence and power. After the death of her father, Eva travels to Buenos Aires and begins a string of relationships with powerful men before she meets Juan. Eva’s ultimate power and influence earn her both admiration and hatred.
Performances of Evita are Thursdays through Saturdays, June 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19 at 7:30 pm and Sundays, June 13 & 20 at 2:30 pm.
Tickets for all seats are $18 per person and may be purchased online at hickorytheatre.org or by calling the box office at 828-328-2283 between 12 pm and 5 pm, Wed – Fri. Seating is limited in compliance with the governor’s executive order, so advance purchase is strongly recommended. Per the executive order, patrons must wear face coverings at all times while in the building.
Evita is produced by Dr. George Clay III, DDS and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. A Cleaner World, Paramount Automotive, the City of Hickory, Sunbelt Xpress, and Dr. George Clay, DDS are the sponsors of the 2020–2021 Season. The Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.
PHOTO: Paul David Kurts is Juan Perón and Jared Wachsmuth is Ché in Evita, on stage June 10-20 at the Hickory Community Theatre. For tickets and information visit hickorytheatre.org or call 828-328-2283. Photo by Lauren Albers.
