Act One

A wordless opening reveals a cinema in Buenos Aires, Argentina on July 26, 1952, where an audience is watching a film of Eva Perón's ("A Cinema in Buenos Aires, 26 July 1952"). During the film, an announcer interrupts with the message (begun in Spanish, but fading into English) that "Eva Peron entered immortality at 8:25 hours this evening...." The audience is heartbroken, and they sing "Requiem for Evita" in Latin, which is modeled on a Catholic requiem. Ché, the narrator, cynically assesses the hysterical grief that gripped Argentina when Evita died ("Oh What a Circus").

Ché introduces the audience to fifteen-year-old Eva, in 1936. She has her first love affair with tango singer Agustín Magaldi. Eva blackmails Magaldi into taking her with him to Buenos Aires ("On This Night of a Thousand Stars"). She reveals her hopes and ambitions when she arrives in the city for the first time ("Buenos Aires"). She soon dumps Magaldi, and Ché relates the story of how Eva 'slept' her way up the ladder, becoming a model, radio star, and actress ("Goodnight and Thank You"). He also tells of both Eva's success as an actress and a right-wing coup in 1943 ("The Lady's Got Potential"). This number was replaced in productions after the 1976 recording, with "The Art Of The Possible," in which Colonel Juan Perón is fighting members of his political party to rise to the top.

 At a "Charity Concert" held in aid of the victims of an earthquake in San Juan, Eva is reunited with Magaldi as he closes his act. Perón addresses the crowd with words of encouragement and leaps off the stage, meeting Eva as soon as he exits. Eva and Perón share a secret rendezvous following the charity concert, where Eva tells Perón that she would be good for him and that she could help him ("I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You"). Eva dismisses Perón's previous mistress ("Hello and Goodbye"), who ponders the rejection ("Another Suitcase in Another Hall").  As Eva moves into high social circles with Perón ("Perón's Latest Flame"), Ché shows the disdain of the upper-classes for Eva and the male chauvinism of the Argentine Army. Perón's presidential election campaign is next recounted, including the Army's attempts to imprison and silence Perón and Perón's questionable campaign practices ("A New Argentina").

Act Two
Perón has won a sweeping victory for President in 1946. He stands "On The Balcony of the Casa Rosada" addressing his descamisados (shirtless ones). Eva speaks from the balcony of the Presidential palace to her adoring supporters ("Don't Cry for Me Argentina") and ("On The Balcony of the Casa Rosada 2"). Ché looks at the price of fame as Eva dances at the Inaugural Ball with Perón, now Argentina's president elect ("High Flying, Adored").

Eva insists on a glamorous image in order to impress the people of Argentina and promote Peronism ("Rainbow High"). She prepares to tour in Europe as she is dressed for success by her fashion consultants. The success and decline of her famous 1946 tour are chronicled ("Rainbow Tour"). Eva affirms her disdain for the upper class, while Ché asks her to start helping those in need as she promised "The Actress Hasn't Learned the Lines (You'd Like to Hear)". Eva begins the Eva Perón Foundation to direct her charity work. Ché describes Eva's controversial charitable work, and possible money-laundering practices ("And the Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)").

Perón's generals do not want a female Vice-President, and Perón reveals that though ("She is a Diamond"), Eva's health is not up to the task. Eva's devoted supporters see her as a modern-day saint ("Santa Evita"). Evita and Ché heatedly debate Eva's actions ("Waltz for Eva and Che"). Ché is disillusioned with Eva's self-serving behavior, while Eva cynically replies that there is no glory in trying to solve the world's problems as he advocates. Eva insists she can continue on, despite her failing health ("Dice Are Rolling/Eva's Sonnet").

Eva understands, at the end of her life, that Perón loves her for herself, not just for what she can do for him and his career ("You Must Love Me").  A dying Eva renounces her pursuit of the vice presidency and swears her eternal love to the people of Argentina ("Eva's Final Broadcast"). Eva's achievements flash before her eyes before she dies ("Montage"), and she asks for forgiveness, contemplating her choice of fame instead of long life ("Lament"). Eva dies, and embalmers preserve her body forever. Ché notes that a monument was to be built for Evita "Only the pedestal was completed, and Evita's body disappeared for seventeen years...."

[Interesting note re set design & costuming:  The rehearsal period lasted five weeks. Inspired by the murals of Diego Rivera, Prince suggested the proscenium be flanked by artwork depicting the struggles of the Argentinean peasants. He was unhappy with the original monochromatic costumes designed for the chorus members and dancers, and he had them go to a charity outlet store and other secondhand clothing shops to purchase something to wear.]