| Becoming Evita |
| Thanks to Tim Simmons, A-lead at the Big House, I was given the nick name Evita. This is how it began: It was the middle of August, with the Haunted Mansion line wrapping around the fountain outside our fence. The wait was at least an hour and a half, and I was at the foyer. The intercom buzzed, and Tim informed me that the ride was 101 (broken) and I would have to evacuate the foyer and the line. No problem, said I, and unplugged the mic from the intercom box, taking it to the hookup at the turnstyle that would activate the exterior speakers. "Ladies and gentleman..." nothing. No sound coming from the speakers...I tried about 3 more times and realized the connection was broken. There were hundreds of people in the line...how the hell was I going to get rid of everyone? |
| Inspiration!!! Sometimes, we cast members would climb a ladder and go through a really grotty area to get out to the second floor balcony of the Mansion facade. Long before the ride opened, Walt used to like to go up there, sit on the rattan settee and watch the guests go by. We used to go up there and check out the lines or watch the fireworks (this was before Fantasmic). What the hey...I climbed over a couple of brick walls, pushed through people in line ('scuse me, pardon me...) and used the back door to get into the facade. Taking the stairs as fast as I could, I put all those years of voice lessons to good use...me and my big mouth...cupping my hands around my mouth to make a megaphone, I yelled at the top of my lungs "folks, I'm sorry but the ride's broken down and we'll need you to turn around and exit the line the way you came in." Moans and groans galore! I had to repeat this several times...some dope was videotaping me up on the balcony and others were taking still pictures (what...you've never seen a girl on the balcony before???) |
| After getting the foyer and line clear, I closed the gates, went inside and helped evacuate the ride system. After we were clear I remembered to tell Tim "hey, you're gonna have to call arcade mechanics...the sound jack at the double turnstyle is broken." Tim looked and me and asked how on earth I got the outer area evacuated, so I told him...he says (Tim voice...raggedy) "oh my God!!! You're up on the balcony doing Evita!!!" Paul wrote me new lyrics, sung to the tune of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," don't get in line for the Mansion, turn around just walk past that stanchion...I'll clear the foyer and elevator...the ride is broken so come back later...Thank you very much!!! |
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| Act 2, Scene I..."On the balcony of the Casa Rosada..." |