Ricky Martin Offered Evita on Broadway

Pop star and single father of twin boys Ricky Martin has reportedly been offered the starring role of Che in a Broadway-bound revival of Evita, according to the New York Post. The Post's theater columnist Michael Riedel reports that a deal is currently being finalized to bring the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical about Argentinean first lady Eva Peron back to the Great White Way for the first time since the original production closed in 1983.

British stage legend Elaine Page originated the role of Eva in the 1978 London stage production and Tony award-winner Patti LuPone portrayed the character in the Broadway production the same year, with Mandy Patinkin as her tormentor Che. The musical was made into a 1996 film that starred Madonna and Antonio Banderas.

If he accepts, Evita will mark a return to the stage for Martin, who rose to fame as a member of the Latin American boy band Menudo before embarking on a successful solo career and previously appeared on Broadway as Marius in Les Miserables.