In taking on the titular role of Eva Perón in the revival of Harold Prince's original 1978 production of "Evita" for Opera Australia and John Frost, Arena commented to the ABC's "Limelight" magazine that she was "terrified", but described the role as "a precious gift for myself and for any female performer". She said that she felt "blessed to work with someone who has had the kind of career that Hal Prince has had". Arena also notes that she felt the time was right to tackle the role: