Argentine Dramas and Cultural Tastes: Evita Exposure

by Adriana Rodriguez-Ruiz, Round Lake High School, Class of 2017

When freshman Scholars at Round Lake High School first received the news about a mandatory exposure regarding an Argentine historical figure, both excitement and curiosity raced through their minds. As a fan of theater myself, I looked forward to this opportunity to learn about a distinctive culture's history through theater and cuisine.

We were first scheduled to watch Evita, one of the most critically acclaimed musicals in Chicago at the moment, at the Oriental Theatre. As the ushers escorted us to our seats, the astonishing architecture of the theater also seemed to greet us.

The musical was based on the life of Eva Perón, a poverty-stricken girl who managed to become a distinguished female political figure. Part of her success stemmed from her husband’s position as president of Argentina during the 1940’s. Through watching the musical, which consisted of power feuds, love affairs, and personal strength, along with a coming of age theme and of course, high singing notes, we learned that the first lady may have had greater power than her husband, despite his superior position. Despite controversies within her personal and political relationships, Eva managed to cause unforgettable changes to Argentina.

The Argentine soundtrack and traditional dancing ensembles enriched the musical through their jazz rhythms and Spanish tones, which reminded the audience of how Eva’s culture affected her life. Even though Eva's life was cut short due to health issues, she managed in her lifetime to teach both the importance of independence and individual growth within your community, or in this case, country. I think Eva is a role model for my fellow Scholars and me because of her strong female lead within her country.

Once the play had finished, we went for dinner at an Argentine restaurant. Since Evita featured a strong Argentine cultural influence, it was only appropriate to dine likewise. The restaurant showcased its Argentine roots through its staff, decorative art, and most importantly, its food. Each Scholar ordered three empanadas with a filling of their choice, and I chose spinach, corn, and ground beef. The traditional empanadas proved to be small in size, but large in taste. While eating we discussed both our opinions of the play and common themes and features we picked up on. 

Although Eva Perón’s legacy has left people with many different opinions, she has overall proven to be a dominant figure in political history. The way Eva overcame the challenges of others doubting her and managed to become the woman she strived to be proved to us that no goal is unreachable. From prioritizing a better future through education to simply studying more often, we will follow in Eva Perón’s confident footsteps to always being our personal best.