The Official Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread- Page 16

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:57am

school, already...oh lord.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:35pm

aww, Elphie. Does your copy have The Destiny of Me, as well?

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:40pm

No, it doesn't, actually. Do ou mind if I ask you some questions about it, Em?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:41pm

Try to track down a copy of it, if you can. Some people say it's Kramer's better play. TNH is very impactful and in-you-face, while Destiny is much more theatrical.

Anyway, sure... I guess. I think even a year later, there's a lot I haven't grasped, but I could try to help.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:47pm

I'll definitely try.
I'm not even sure what questions to ask, because I think a lot of them are due to my ignorance about AIDS. But anyway, is it more obvious during the show how much time has passed? Because reading it, I couldn't figure out when things were occurring.
Dang, I forgot my other questions.
It's just really shocking to me that it was really like that (if it was). And also, that gay men then defined themselves just by their promiscuity? That was totally new to me, though I admit I don't know much about it.
For the record, I would kill to be able to see Raul play that part. I'm sure he was fantastic.
I just still reeling.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:52pm

You know, I'm not sure. I think it's less than a year, but I'd have to take a closer look. I think in my copy, there are actually dates, but I don't think I brought it home. I shall get back to you, if you haven't found the answer yet.

I don't think that it goes to say that it's *true* that all gay men really defined themselves by their promiscuity, but that was one of the things that Larry Kramer did, and still does, vehemently condemn. His book Faggots, that was written before any of this, is about that as well - and he predicts that this promiscuity will ultimately be what kills many of them. It's scary, scary stuff. I think that line you're thinking of is a bit of hyperbole, a bit of truth; the way they were - in these clubs and such - was totally different than "other" people, you know? It was a way to set themselves apart. I'm not sure where my personal stance on it lies, though.

Raúl's take on Ned Weeks changed who I am. I mean that. He was able to grab me from the very start, and make that all so real to me, as it may never have otherwise been. The text alone is so impactful, but to have someone up there about whom I cared a lot made it a lot tougher to take.

Updated On: 8/26/05 at 01:52 PM

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:24pm

I totally believe that. It's such a role, I bet it was life-changing. Grr...I hate this keyboard.
I'm going to sound like such an idiot, but do people with AIDS really get purple spots? I found it interesting that they thought it was a cancer.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:26pm

Yeah. Did you ever see Angels in America? The purple lesions... Karposi's Sarcoma (I probably spelled that very, very wrong).

Updated On: 8/26/05 at 03:26 PM

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:26pm

Elphie, they're Kaposi's Sarcoma lesions, if I remember correctly.

Glad you loved it so much. I have mixed feelings about Kramer because of the speeches I've read by him, but I'm glad you're happy.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:30pm

Oh, okay. Thanks.

I'm not sure if "loved" is the right word. It's almost repulsive, actually, if you think about it. But I definitely enjoyed it and it really made me think. I sped right through it because I literally couldn't put it down. I hope I get to see it one day.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:32pm

Somebody had the rights to make it a movie... I think it would translate beautifully. But I think they're back in a proverbially sealed safe now, since the play closed.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:33pm

That's really too bad. I think it would make a great movie. A little depressing, of course, but it definitely would translate well.

[insomniak]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:34pm

Elphie, you can love awful things. I do.

And I guess I meant love as in highly regarded, not mushy happiness.

Maybe if Raul gets attention for his movie (though I don't know how big his part is), they'd make a movie of TNH?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:36pm

I think it has to do with Kramer's unwillingness to let the rights out, or something? If it ever happens, I hope Raul can do it. And if Destiny... ever happens again, when he's a bit older, I'd die to see him take Ned on again.

Updated On: 8/26/05 at 03:36 PM

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:42pm

Wait, *ignorance alert* are the two plays related?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:44pm

Yep. The Destiny of Me is basically the sequel. Ned's in the hospital for treatment, and he thinks back on his childhood, etc.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:46pm

Oh, cool.
*makes mental note*

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 6:25pm

Hi Raul fans. Well, I have some...news. I won't say good because I have no idea on the fate of this.

You see, my mom's office is taking a trip to New York, and it costs $1,400 each. That's not bad considering it includes airfare to and from New York, hotel accomadations (sp), breakfast everyday, three Broadway shows, and a tour guide that takes you to the Empire State building. Nice deal, eh? Now, my mom and I going on the trip would total up to $2,800. I've just got to find a way to find all that money. :-/

Anyway, this trip will take place in Janurary. So, basically, there will be no Piazza OR Pillowman. :P So, we would probably see Spelling Bee and DRS (and see if we can get backstage for DRS...ah, it's great to be a Greg fan). If my mom is nice to me, we MIGHT see Chitty. Chitty + Raul + Me =

I'm thinking that if my mom payed her own way, and my grandma payed for me, it would put a lot off of my mom's back. Any other suggestions?

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:14pm

Yay! Chitty=good times. Chitty with Raul=extra good times!

[greatdct]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:32pm

Oooh I just got back from seeing Raúl in Chitty twice. He was so good and so nice at the stage door. Well, he was nice the first time. The second time he ran right to his car.

I wish he hadn't cut his hair.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:35pm

He cut his hair?

Pictures?

Wait, you saw both shows today?

[greatdct]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:38pm

He did. I don't have a picture, though. It's really short.

No I saw the evening performance on the 24th and the evening performance last night.

Random and off topic - I saw Janelle Viscomi as Jemima Potts and she was SO PRECIOUS!

Anyway, off to scan the picture!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:40pm

aww, yay! I'm curious about the Jemima understudies, actually. Glad she did well.

Call me crazy, but I'm sad about the hair. I saw him like a week ago, and the long hair worked so well on him. But, it'll grow back.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:43pm

Short like this?

[greatdct]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 10:46pm

Shorter. :/

Okay, the scanner isn't hooked up so I just took a picture of the picture. So it looks a bit weird and dark but I hope you can still make it out.

And I hope I can actually remember how to post this.