Evita's Ricky Martin on His 'Spiritual' Journey Back to Broadway

International superstar Ricky Martin is back on Broadway after a 16 year absence, leading the first-ever mainstem revival of Evita as Che. After the anticipated production's first performance, Broadway.com caught up with Martin to discuss his feelings on returning to the Great White Way. 

“I am very happy,” gushed Martin, who previously played Marius in Les Miserables in 1996. “It's just been fascinating. I’m in another place mentally, physically, spiritually today. To be on stage surrounded by maestros [teachers], it has been a very beautiful journey, very spiritual. I am here to learn and I am here to grow and it's been a fascinating trip."

So how does performing in Evita compare to his run in Les Miserables? “It’s amazing because I did Marius, who was a man that spoke for the people, and Che does the same thing. To speak on behalf of the people is something that has followed me [throughout] my acting career.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita charts the rise and fall of Eva Peron, the young, charismatic and glamorous one-time First Lady of Argentina. The show includes songs such as “Buenos Aires,” “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” and “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.” Directed by Michael Grandage, the revival co-stars Elena Roger and Michael Cerveris and runs at the Marquis Theatre. 

Martin is best known for 1990s music hits like “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “La Copa de la Vida.” He has appeared on television in the long-running soap opera General Hospital and recently guest starred on the hit series Glee.