The Official Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, Part 3 — Page 30

#726

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/16/07 at 11:54pm

Assassins (the Broadway revival) was probably the third or fourth cast recording that I started listening to regularly, back when I was getting into Broadway. All those...months ago.

My mom wants to go see Company before it closes, and has proposed a 2 day trip (with 2 more days traveling via Greyhound). I thought there was a 7% chance it would happen. That she'd forget about it, or decide it's irresponsible (it is, deeply), but she informed me today that she asked for the days off. If it happens we'll still miss the closing, though. Sad about that.

#727

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/16/07 at 11:57pm

"Zangara" is kinda fun to say.

I think I fried my brain, which is bad because I have so much more to do tonight before I can sleep.

I'm supposed to see it tomorrow, but my friend doesn't know if he can go and I don't want to go alone. :/

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#728

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:04am

Assassins is definitely something that falls along my lines of humor. Dark and really thought-provoking. Actually, one of my favorite comedic exchanges in musical theater is when Booth suggests that Zangara try shooting the president (which I realize is weird).

I hope you and your mom can get there, Craww! It's too bad it wouldn't be for closing -- it would be cool to meet you.

(Hope he can go, Em.)

#729

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:27am

oh man I am so tempted to see it tomorrow (I know I'm definitely going on wednesday)...I'm really indecisive though.

#730

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:45am

I think Assassins is Sondheim's last GOOD show. I don't mean to necessarily say he peaked and it's all downhill from there, but there's definitely a disconnect between his work before and his post-Assassins shows like Passion, Bounce and The Frogs remake (thanks Ash :-P). Maybe even Sondheim couldn't live up to his hype, heh.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

Updated On: 6/17/07 at 12:45 AM

#731

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:57am

I think that Passion is objectively beautiful, but I can't get into it for the life of me. It makes me kind of sad when people rave about how touched they were by it, because I really just.... don't like the story. Fosca has to be one of my least favorite characters in a musical -- I can never see what there is to recommend her, other than that she loves (rather obsessively) Giorgio. But I wouldn't argue that it's not good, because a lot of people think that it's some of his finest work. I definitely haven't liked anything he's done since Assassins as much, though.

#732

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 1:10am

I keep trying to watch Passion to get into it. But quite honestly, the only aspect of it that I can get into is shirtless Michael Cerveris. I don't think it has the same variety as his other shows. It's all operatic ballads that seem to blend together. I'm ADHD; I need variation to keep me alert and interested, heh. It doesn't have any of the humor of his that I LOVE in Sweeney or Assassins. Sweeney isn't a traditional musical comedy either, but it still manages to find humorous moments within the material. Passion is just so serious.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

Updated On: 6/17/07 at 01:10 AM

#733

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 1:24am

I agree 100%. There's none of that signature witty humor to lighten the mood in Passion. Everything about it is so oppressive and...grave. p.s., in the Kennedy Center production Michael Cerveris goes better than shirtless.

Okay, this isn't Sondheim-related, but one of the roles I'd really like to see Raul play is Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons. It's such a deliciously evil character.

#734

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 1:28am

I'd really like to see Raul play is Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons

My visceral response was a very undignified 'Dude, hot'.

#735

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 1:34am

Hee, that's actually the version I keep trying to watch. But using "getting into" and "naked ass" in the same sentence seemed disturbingly wrong and I didn't want to distract from the intentions of my post. I already have enough inappropriate thoughts about the man; I don't need to accidentally imply even more.

I thought you were saving Valmont for Colin Firth's Broadway debut.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

#736

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 1:37am

My visceral response was a very undignified 'Dude, hot'.

I know! I kind of wonder whether the master of seduction should be more conventionally attractive than Raul is, but ultimately I think it's more about that sexual vibe. (Seriously, though... I know the odds are basically none that he'd be cast opposite Laura Linney, but I'd LOVE it.)

Ah, crap, skittles. You've got me there. Can Firth just debut in my own personal stage version of Pride and Prejudice?

Updated On: 6/17/07 at 01:37 AM

#737

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 1:52am

That might be the only version of a Pride and Prejudice musical I can get behind. Especially if they recreate the bath scene. Can he sing? I think it might ruin my image of him as a stuffy Brit (that's secretly all warm and gooey on the inside), though.

I really do want to see Raul do a play. At the very least, it'll stop with the inevitable "He sounds like a goat!" responses to his next show. Insults don't necessarily work when fans agree, but they don't seem to get that.

Some Starz channel was doing a day of Laura Linney movies the other day. I wondered if she died, or something. I think it was just an excuse to show The Exorcism of Emily Rose for the 15th time this week.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

Updated On: 6/17/07 at 01:52 AM

#738

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 1:58am

Sometimes, he really does sound like a goat. But yes, I agree about the play.

And I wasn't talking about the musical version of Pride and Prejudice (pretty likely an awful idea). No, I was thinking more along the lines of...the entire miniseries, all six hours, on stage. Of course the bathtub scene would be requisite.

You edited! I'm often a little underwhelmed with Linney, but I can see her being really good as Merteuil. Annette Bening was pretty much my ideal in that role.

Updated On: 6/17/07 at 01:58 AM

#739

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:11am

Oooo. They could do it like Coast of Utopia and split it up into 3 2-hour segments. With marathon days with all 3, of course. Jennifer Ehle has already managed that (yeah, yeah, I know she's probably too old at this point). Raul can be Wickham. Not necessarily for characterization or anything (though seducing young *ahem* girls seems rather appropriate), just because I would want to contain Colin Firth and him in the same location. Well, in some place other than my LJ's "Crush Meme".

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

#740

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:17am

wow, you ladies have been quite, ummmm, vivid this evening!

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BroadwayBoobs: I'll give all of you who weren't there a hint of who took the pictures ...it rhymes with shameless

SOMMS: I knew it was Tink!

#741

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:19am

Hee. I have enjoyed the last few posts.

I think I need a buddy for tomorrow. I psyche myself out before I have definite plans and then get set on doing something.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 6/17/07 at 02:19 AM

#742

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:21am

If I was going to head in for Broadway Bares tomorrow night, I would have definitely gone with you Em, but it isn't looking hopeful. boo!

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BroadwayBoobs: I'll give all of you who weren't there a hint of who took the pictures ...it rhymes with shameless

SOMMS: I knew it was Tink!

#743

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:25am

I wanted to go to Broadway Bares, but I didn't realize that it was well, tomorrow. Time flies!

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#744

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:27am

I've been telling myself for months that this was one B-way event I would not miss, and well, I'm missing it, lol. Luckily you can always get it on video later on! I should have not gone to see Chicago on Weds and gone in tomorrow!

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BroadwayBoobs: I'll give all of you who weren't there a hint of who took the pictures ...it rhymes with shameless

SOMMS: I knew it was Tink!

#745

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:27am

Hee, skittles. Sounds like good casting to me. I don't care if Ehle's too old -- she IS Elizabeth for me, in the same way that Firth is Darcy.

You can always rush alone, Em. No?

#746

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:28am

I could. I don't like going alone, but that's a wimpy excuse.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#747

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 2:33am

Well, hopefully it comes together.

Anyway, this has been fun, but I think it's off to bed for me. 'Night, girls!

#748

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 10:55am

i totally would have gone with you today...if i didn't go yesterday! actually, who am i kidding? i would still go, but i'm working...boooooo.

i went by myself yesterday and met a bunch of fun people in the rush line which made it much more enjoyable! :)

#749

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:23pm

If anyone is going by themselves this week to see it definitely let me know!I'll definitely join you.

#750

re: The Official Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread the Love' Thread, Part 3

Posted: 6/17/07 at 12:57pm

sorry to backtrack, but those of you with Chess posters - they arent the Actor's Fund ones, are they? Just the regular black and white? I have yet to hang my Company poster because I debated whether to bring it and have it signed, but I don't think I want to lug it all that way on the train. It looks very nice in the new frame though *pets*

Emcee, are you going this week? I want to go Wednesday but I really really want the front row seats and I dont know how early I can get there. This might be the last time I can see it before the 1st.


wow. I am hungover

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The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?