Local actor, David M. Halin will play the role of Augustin Magaldi in the New Castle Playhouse production of "Evita."

Halin, who has appeared in the past with the Musical Theatre Guild, was immediately cast for the role during his audition.

By day, Halin is an electronic assembler at Laser Drive in Gibsonia. By night, he slips into the role of a sleazy crooner.

"(Magaldi) is a famous Argentine tango singer," explains Halin. "He's in his early 30s and was the first man to be of any use to Eva Duarte.

"She meets him early in the show when she's 15-years-old and basically uses him to rise to the top. He's a crooner of sorts and very sleazy by nature."

Halin is excited about his role and the fact that it stretches his vocals and acting abilities.

"I find the character to not be anything like me and it's a challenge to portray him," he said.

"Vocally the show itself is challenging to sing. Andrew Lloyd Webber expects a lot from every singer in this show. He has sopranos and tenors singing high E's," he added.

For years Halin has taken the stage in musical theatre, but this production is more like an opera. With little dialog, the songs are forced to tell the story.

"For me, the challenge is remembering my lyrics." Halin said. "I found that most of the tunes in the show are used over and over again and it is the lyrics that move the story. I have to have a good memory when it comes to the progression of the songs."

The emotional nature and beauty of the project drew Halin to try out for the play.

"I had the opportunity to see a production of 'Evita' while attending Penn State. I had not really known much about the show before I saw it. I only knew of the famous song, 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina.' I went, by myself, to see it. Twenty minutes into the production, I began to cry," he explained.

"I loved the production and sought out the recording," Halin added. "I have been listening to it ever since."

"Evita" is the story of Argentina's first lady. She was an illegitimate 15-year-old who escaped her dirt-poor existence for the bright lights of Buenos Aires.Driven by ambition and blessed with charisma, she was a starlet at age 22, the president's mistress at age 24, first lady at age 27 and dead by the age of 33.A saint to the working class and reviled by the aristocracy, Eva Peron was destined to leave a fascinating political legacy.Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice tell her story through a compelling score that fuses haunting chorales with vivacious Latin, pop and jazz influences."This is the first time that 'Evita' has been done in the Butler, Lawrence, Mercer and Beaver county area. The show is rarely done due to the fact that it's Andrew Lloyd Webber and community theaters usually shy away from his shows," said Vaughn Hudspath, Marketing Director of the NCP."Each year our theater likes to stage at least one show that has some bite to it. Last year it was the musical 'Blood Brothers,' and this year it is 'Evita,'" said Hudspath."The stage musical 'Evita' is celebrating its 25th anniversary and it continues to be the only Webber musical that is based on a recent historical character," he added. "The portrait of Eva Peron continues to be one of the most fascinating characters in 20th century history," he added.Also appearing in the show will be Lesley Ann Gent of Ohio. The show is under the direction of Michael Cavalier who had his eye of the show for over a decade."What better time than now when the musical 'Evita' is celebrating its 25th anniversary," said Cavalier.Julia Garda of New Castle will recreate the original Broadway choreography."When people think of the musical 'Evita,' they usually think of all the great music in the show; however, this is one of the few Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals that fuses intricate Latin and jazz choreography," Garda said.Maura Fornataro of New Castle will serve as the musical director of the show.Halin thinks the audience is in store for a special treat."The audience can expect a lot from the cast, as the show was well cast by Mike Cavalier," said Halin. "We have been slowly taking this difficult show apart and piecing it back together like a puzzle. The sound that we produce is amazing and the dancing is great."Hudspath is quick to note the differences between the movie "Evita" starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas and the stage version."The movie was quite successful at the box office and to her credit, Madonna did a fine job in the role. However, the music was watered down considerably in the movie due to the fact that Madonna is an alto and the musical role of Eva Peron was originally written for a soprano," he said. "In general, people who have seen the stage version first will tell you that the movie did not fulfill its goal of moving you the way the stage version does. On the other hand, people who have seen the movie first are compelled to want to see the stage version to get the full effect," he added.Tickets for the show are on sale now.