Rachel Zegler Wins Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical
Rachel Zegler took the West End by storm last year when she starred as Eva Perón in the revival of the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Evita. Her star-making turn in the production proved that the actress isn’t just a star on the big screen, but on the stage as well and she’s now been honored with an Olivier Award for her performance.
Zegler not only received the prize for Best Actress in a Musical, but she also performed the show’s iconic musical number, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” during the show.
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Zegler’s musical theatre breakthrough came when she won the role of Maria in the 2021 film version of West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg where she beat out 30,000 other young women who responded to the open casting call on social media.
Last weekend’s Olivier Awards were a full circle moment for the actress. Entering the winner’s room after accepting her award for best actress in a musical for Evita, Zegler noticed Elaine Paige – who was the first actress to play Eva Perón in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical when it made it’s debut in 1978.
“I spent my life listening to her sing Memory from Cats,” Zegler gushed. She also said to the press that she “felt astonished by the whole evening” and couldn’t believe some of the famous faces cheering her on as she accepted her award.
Accepting her award on stage, Zegler called it “the honor of a lifetime” singing to the people 8 times a week. The production was noted for the creative decision to have Zegler perform the show’s most notable number, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the theatre’s balcony, ensuring that onlookers could see her perform the iconic song for free. Her performance from the balcony was broadcast into the theatre for the audience to view, giving the feel of her character addressing the crowds from the Casa Rosada.
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The Laurence Olivier Awards recognize excellence in professional theatre in London. Zegler has continued her work in musical theatre, recently completing an acclaimed, limited-run production of The Last Five Years along with Ben Platt with staged performances at both The Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Musical Hall.
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