Racism Charged In Casting Of ‘Evita’

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has demanded an explanation of allegations that racism was a factor in casting for his musical “Evita” in Zimbabwe, a newspaper reported Saturday.

The state-controlled Herald said Lloyd Webber’s agents summoned the head of a local theater company to Britain after a black actress alleged discrimination in casting for a three-week run of the musical last month.

Angela Mushore, 24, claimed she auditioned for the part of Eva Peron, wife of the Argentine ruler Juan Peron, but was rejected on grounds she is black.

But director Dawn Parkinson said Mushore’s voice was untrained. The role was filled by a white actress.