Rachel Zegler Returns to ‘Evita’ After Leaving Show Due to Illness

Rachel Zegler is returning to her starring role in Evita on Friday after making an unexpected exit during her Thursday night performance.

The actress, who is performing in her London stage debut as former first lady of Argentina Eva Perón in director Jamie Lloyd’s revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, exited the stage during the show’s Thursday evening performance, due to illness.

According to People magazine, Zegler’s departure was announced during the show’s intermission. Understudy Bella Brown reportedly stepped in for Zegler for Act 2 and received a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes.

“Today really showed just how important swings and covers are within this industry,” Brown wrote in an Instagram Story. “They are pillars of a show!! A proud day to be at Evita.“

Despite having stepped away from the Thursday show, Zegler was scheduled to return and perform Friday evening, her rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Evita is currently scheduled to run until Sept. 6 in London. The production opened on July 1.

“I can honestly say that the sheer amount of talent in the building each day is enough to blow the roof off. and we do. eight times a week,”  Zegler wrote on Instagram when the show opened. “I never thought i would get to live my dream this way, surrounded by the most amazing people. I feel so held.”

For the show, Zegler leaves the Soho theater to perform “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” on the exterior balcony, which has become a new spectacle for onlookers hoping to catch a glimpse of the performance and has been commonly featured in viral social media videos. THR’s review of the show said of the performance, “The number is brilliantly conceived and executed, a genuine goosebump moment.”

The original Evita, which featured music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, centers on the life of Argentine political leader Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón.