Bob Schwartz

Juan Peron became the strongman dictator of Argentina. The driving force that got him there was Eva Peron, a political and cultural figure unlike any in modern history. This inspired one of the great contemporary musicals.

Melania seems to lack many of the characteristics that made Evita so compelling and successful. But what if we have gotten this all wrong? What if Melania is the power behind the throne?

Something to think about as we await the next Melania movie. A New America? Maybe a musical?

Here is a sample of lyrics from A New Argentina, the showstopping number from Evita:

PERÓN
It’s annoying that we have to fight elections for our cause
The inconvenience, having to get a majority
If normal methods of persuasion fail to win us applause
There are other ways of establishing authority…

Then again, I could be foolish not to quit while I’m ahead
I can see me many miles away, inactive
Sipping cocktails on a terrace
Taking breakfast in bed
Sleeping easy
Doing crosswords
It’s attractive

EVA
Don’t think I don’t think like you
I often get those nightmares too
They always take some swallowing
Sometimes it’s very difficult to keep momentum
If it’s you that you are following
Don’t close doors
Keep an escape clause
Because we might lose the Big Apple
But would I have done what I did
If I hadn’t thought
If I hadn’t known, we would take the country