For some, the name Evita evokes little more than the image of Madonna standing on a balcony singing “Don’t cry for me, Argentina” to a crowd of people below. Because the musical “Evita” is showing in Ames Thursday, show-goers may want to know some of the real-life details of Evita.

Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, “Evita” uses pop, jazz and Latin musical influences to explore the life of former Argentinean first lady and political leader Eva Peron, known endearingly to her supporters as simply Evita.

This artistic take on the unlikely rise and fall of one of South America’s most historically influential women has been wowing audiences for more than 30 years.

Evita was born Eva Duarte in 1919 to poor, unwed parents. Growing up in poverty, she left home at age 15, moving to Buenos Aires in search of opportunity.

She eventually found some success as an actress, starring in several films and radio soap operas. It was after meeting and marrying controversial politician Juan Peron, however, that she found interest and success in politics.

Her political career began in 1944, when she became the president of a union that represented broadcast performers, but by the time Juan Peron became president of Argentina in 1946, Eva had become more politically active, having been the first Argentine woman to participate publicly in her husband’s campaign.

Through working with her husband and creating a political reputation of her own, Eva Peron soon became one of South America’s most important women.

Aside from being a large influence in her husband’s career and one of his greatest supporters, Peron established herself as a significant political player, and garnered respect and support from many of Argentina’s labor unions and working class.

Having traveled throughout Europe on her husband’s behalf and gaining support, Eva became an unlikely international political celebrity.

She founded the Eva Peron Foundation, which helped provide homes and health care to the poor, and created the Female Peronist Party, which was the largest female political party in the nation. Her political and charitable work earned her the official title of “Spiritual Leader of the Nation.”

In 1951, Eva considered running for vice president of Argentina, but was forced to decline due to her failing health. She died of cancer in 1952 at age 33, and her death was mourned throughout Argentina.

Webber’s and Rice’s musical interpretation of Eva Peron’s life was released in 1976 as a concept album, much like their previous collaboration, “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Upon achieving international success, the musical was adapted for the stage. Debuting on stage in London in 1978 and on Broadway in 1979, “Evita” became an immediate success, breaking box office records and winning seven Tony Awards. In addition, the original cast’s recording of the soundtrack won a Grammy.

Evita also became one of the first musicals to have its music appear on the international pop charts. The song, “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” has been recorded by such artists as Julie Covington and Karen Carpenter.

The 1996 film version of “Evita,” starring Madonna in the title role, enjoyed success of its own, including Academy Award nominations as well as three Golden Globes.

– Information compiled from www.imagi-nation.com, www.imdb.com, Peron, Biography Resource Center; 2000 Gale Group, www.biographyshelf.com