Ricky Martin and Elena Roger to Star in Broadway Revival of Evita

Pop star Ricky Martin will play Che opposite Argentine actress Elena Roger in a forthcoming Broadway revival of Evita. The production, which began in London in 2006 with Roger in the title role, will open in spring 2012 at an unspecified Nederlander theater, directed by Tony nominee Michael Grandage (Red) and choreographed by Tony nominee Rob Ashford (Promises, Promises).

Martin, who played Marius in the Broadway production of Les Miserables, achieved massive success in the late 1990s with the hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” His latest album will be released later this year, and he is expected to embark on a worldwide tour in 2011 before staring in Evita.

Roger was plucked from obscurity in her native Argentina to star in the London production of Evita, receiving an Olivier Award nomination for her performance. She won the Olivier Award for playing Edith Piaf in Piaf and will next play Fosca in Passion at the Donmar Warehouse.

Evita features a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by Tim Rice. The story of the charismatic and glamorous first lady of Argentina, the show opened on Broadway in 1979 and won seven Tonys, including Best Musical and acting awards for Patti LuPone as Evita and Mandy Patinkin as Che.

Additional casting and creative team members will be announced at a later date. Hal Luftig and Scott Sanders are the lead producers for the Broadway revival.