The musical "Momia en el Clóset (Mummy in the Closet): Evita’s Return," recently revamped from its 2009 debut, is currently playing at the GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington. This production, directed by Mariano Caligaris, offers a morbidly humorous take on the posthumous journey of Eva Perón's body. The story captures the political and historical significance of Perón’s embalmed corpse which became a symbol of contention following her death from cancer in 1952 at the age of 33.
After her husband, President Juan Perón, was overthrown by a military coup, Eva’s body was hidden and later sent secretly to Italy to prevent it from becoming a political rallying point. It was eventually returned to Argentina in 1974 during the presidency of Juan Perón’s third wife, Isabel Perón.
The musical uses an array of theatrical elements, blending black comedy with historical insights. It is performed in Spanish with English surtitles and features music by Mariano Vales, incorporating tango and salsa, capturing the vibrant cultural essence of Argentina. The cast includes Fran Tapia as Eva Perón, Rodrigo Pedreira, Diego Mariani, and others, with choreography by Valeria Cossu.
The production will run through June 9 at GALA Hispanic Theatre, offering audiences a unique blend of music, dance, and historical narrative.