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It’s a pivotal scene: Evita, standing before her descamisados (shirtless ones), speaking from the balcony of the presidential palace to her adoring supporters. The crowd roars with excitement.

Yes, she was loved.

And yes, she was also despised.

Eva “Evita” Duarte Perón — the second wife of Argentinian president and dictator, Juan Perón — lived that dual existence throughout her tumultuous, though brief, life.

Evita, the Spanish diminutive for “Little Eva,” died of cancer at the age of 33. Her story, however, lives on, thanks to the Broadway musical, “Evita” — based on the controversial and historical female icon — which will be presented at Cal State Bakersfield’s Doré Theatre May 16, 17, 23, 24 and 25.

Mandy Rees, CSUB theatre professor and department chair, chose “Evita” for its musical score and fascinating story. The stage version of “Evita” debuted on Broadway in 1979 and starred Patti Lupone in the title role and Mandy Patinkin as Che Guevara.

Directed by Harold Prince with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and lyrics by Tim Rice, “Evita” ran for a total of 1,567 Broadway performances.

The story is told entirely through song and dance — 23 scenes, including a live orchestra, Rees said. She added that the local show also hopes to reveal the deeper parts of the relationship between Evita and her husband, who took a big risk in those days by marrying his mistress.

“At that time, you did not do that sort of thing,” said Rees, also the director of “Evita,” of Perón’s adulterous affair turned marriage. “It says a lot that he (Juan Perón) married Evita ... We’re trying to bring out the vulnerability, the tenderness in that relationship.”

In fact, because the play is based, in part, on the real life story of the first lady of Argentina whose meager beginnings and steadfastness resonated with the masses.

Evita was born out of wedlock May 7, 1919 in rural Argentina and struggled, along with her family, very early on. She would eventually make her way to Buenos Aires, the nation’s capital, where she pursued a brief career as an actress in radio, theater and film. She met Perón in 1944 — the two were married the following year.

In 1946, Gen. Perón was elected as president of Argentina and his wife took on a very active, very powerful role within his administration. Evita championed labor rights within Pro-Peronist trade unions. She also ran the Ministries of Labor and Health and founded the first, large-scale female political party, the Female Peronist Party.

“Her rise to fame was meteoric and controversial,” Rees said. “She was beloved by the poor for her tireless charity work and because her success gave them hope that they could overcome their own circumstances.”

Of course, the flip side to Evita’s admiration by the poor — those with wealth and power of their own didn’t always approve of Evita.

“She was resented by the rich and the military because she manipulated people and had an extravagant lifestyle, using some of her charity money for her own purposes,” Rees said.

By the time Evita accepted the Peronist nomination for vice president, in 1951, she was dying of cancer. Her failing health, along with the resistance from the elite and the military, forced Evita to back down from what could have been another historical move in politics for her.

Near the time of her death, the Argentine Congress named Evita the “Spiritual Leader of The Nation.”

Despite the controversy that surrounded Evita, she left a profound mark on her country and its people. The CSUB production of “Evita” is yet another opportunity to learn about this famous mujer.

“It (will) probably be the most fun history lesson they will ever experience,” said Michael Mejia, 21, an English major who plays the dictator Perón.

Mejia also said that he’s worked hard to find the right formula in playing the complex Perón.

“He is very serious and straight-laced and, at times, he can be very dark,” Mejia said. “... I wanted to play him as an honest man who generally wants to do good for his public, and in turn, justifies his questionable actions. Finding that balance between playing him as a devil and a saint has been a challenge.”

Managing the many different aspects needed in the play is also a challenge, according to Jessica Trevino, the 22-year-old CSUB music education major who plays the powerful Evita character.

“The multitasking — dancing and acting, while singing tricky pitches and tempos is pretty tough,” Trevino said. “I love this musical! It’s so interesting and exciting.”

After nearly two months of rehearsals at four days a week, the 20-member cast of

“Evita” has certainly bonded, according to Rees.

“Yes, it is like a family,” she said of the camaraderie among the actors, actresses, musicians and crew. “Most are students and this is definitely a commitment for them — they’ve given a lot of time, energy and concentration to their performances.”

Rees also credits the behind-the-scenes efforts that have made this local showing of “Evita” possible.

“The cast is only a part of the whole production; even the cast doesn’t understand the hours and hours of work being done behind the scenes. We have designers, choreographers, musicians, a conductor, and a scene shop working at full speed. It’s a tremendous undertaking.”

For Danvir Singh Grewal, who plays Che Guevara, just being in a musical — a first for him — is the best part about this 21-year-old theatre/business major’s involvement with “Evita.”

“Everything is new to me and it’s all been very exciting,” said Grewal, adding that the audiences for “Evita” are sure to enjoy themselves, too. “They can expect to have a wonderful time and hear some great singing and wonderful music. But above all, they can expect to leave with a smile on their face.”

"Evita"

• 8  p.m., May 16 &17 and May 23 & 24
• 2 p.m., Sunday, May 25
• CSUB’s Doré Theatre
• General admission is $12; $5 for students with ID; $10 for seniors, CSUB faculty and staff.

— Contributing MÁS writer Gabriel Ramirez contributed to this report.