The Official Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, part two- Page 177

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 12:08am

I know that when I see it again, I will be even more of a mess after "Being Alive". In general, I react to any performer showing any kind of emotion onstage, whether it be crying, a shaky voice, sniffling, wiping their eyes, anything. It always triggers a similar reaction from myself, no matter what.

Eventually, I react the same way to the same moment in any show no matter how many times I see it. My emotions are just invested completely in that single moment of the performance. For instance, I can still watch the PBS performance of "The Light in the Piazza" and sob from the last verse of "Love to Me" to the very end of the show. With Piazza, it's the beautiful happy ending, but with Robert in Company, it's - like you said - his story that stirs my emotions.

I can't imagine how emotional Raul must've been in the show after the Times interview. I only wish I could've witnessed it.

Alright, I think I've filled my quota of Raul gushing for the evening. Time for bed!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 12:17am

I should probably get a quota.

Having seen it a number of times now, it's become a weird conditioning thing. I fold up into my seat in that want "want to hide under the seat" kind of way right before he screams "stop!" because I expect it, and just stay that way until the song ends. I don't cry every single time, but aside from that, I react the same way each time, too. One would think that it fades with time, but the fact that it doesn't probably speaks volumes for the power of the piece, I think.

Seeing him after the interview was mind-blowing, but emotionally-speaking, absolutely painful. He looked like he couldn't move, and at any moment he might just stop singing and not be able to get through the rest of the song. He kept pausing, like he was trying to gather himself, crying, wiping his nose on that gorgeous suit. It was explosive, but really, really sad; he just poured himself into it.

Goodnight!

Updated On: 2/21/07 at 12:17 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 11:24am

He's gonna be on TV. I wish it were a Company-centric thing, but I suppose this has a tie-in.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=16045

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 12:36pm

I really wish that I could've seen Company in the week after the Times interview rather than before, since that change in his performance seems fascinating. It's sort of sad, but I'm so excited about seeing it again and taking a really close friend of mine as her first Broadway show.

Posted: 2/21/07 at 12:40pm

I feel so out of place posting here. Anyway. What time is everyone showing up at B&N for the CD signing? Do you think that we have to get there any earlier than the start time for any particular reason? I'm honestly really hesitant to go because I kind of want to save my money. I believe in supporting the production, but I dropped so much money last weekend on food and shows when my friend was in town. Can I just go to see the performances and take pictures?

Ashley, I am so excited to see Company again with you!

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:39pm

Psh, I only recently got over feeling weird posting on this thread!

I think I read that you can go just to see the performances, though technically if you want the CD signed, you have to buy it there. I don't know whether they'll enforce that, though.

I can't wait, either! Updated On: 2/21/07 at 01:39 PM

[angelic1]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:14pm

Hello all. I haven't posted on this (or any) thread for a while. Living in Italy now, so...it just makes me sad to read about things I can't see. Sigh...

Anyway, I just downloaded the Company recording off iTunes and had to spread my Raul love. I sat catatonic listening to the whole thing. Wow. I got chills and actually shed a tear or two. That hardly ever happens when I listen to music, but this was so...well, I can't think of the right word to do it justice. Ok, done gushing. I'll just continue to live in envy of you people who can actually see him do it live.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 5:34pm

Hey angelic! When do you come back? I kind of haven't seen you in forever.

[angelic1]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 5:53pm

Hmm...I think I'll be back by the end of May. I'm planing to do a little world traveling once classes are over. We'll have to meet up and chat about everything I've missed. I'll even buy you a cup of coffee with the last $1.75 I'll have at that point. Dare I even ask how many times you've seen Company?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 5:55pm

We must! Your trip sounds amazing!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 8:46pm

I NEED to stop listening to this CD now. I've listened to it 13 times in a row. Ugh, this man's voice is amazing . . . but I don't like the growl at the end of Being Alive.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 8:50pm

Heh, we were just talking about that on another thread. I have a love/hate relationship with that growl.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 2/22/07 at 1:20pm

Amazon just shipped my CD! They are late, and I was a bit upset because I ordered it in Decemeber so I've been anticipating it, but it should be here within the week! I can't wait .

Sweetestsiren: Where is your avatar from? I'd love to see the full version of the picture.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/22/07 at 1:41pm

You know, it's really a miracle that I can find anything Chess-related in my old PMs, since it's such a common topic of conversation.

Anyway, it's from this broadway.com Photo Op of the Chess concert: http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Photo_Op.aspx?ci=30843

I'm on a crappy public computer that won't let me right click anything, but the full picture is 14/25.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/22/07 at 1:42pm

Yay picutre.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/22/07 at 1:44pm

Yes, and yay for you for thinking to avatarize it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/22/07 at 1:45pm

I can't get over its unintentional suggestive nature.

Me. Hell. Handbasket.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 1:22am

My CD came today! It was totally worth the wait! I think it's beautifully done, it feels so real, like they are actually doing the show and not in a studio. I love it. Now I must make everyone in my life listen to it and convert them .

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 12:57pm

Yay, I talked my mom into seeing Company again. She was kind of indifferent toward it in Cincinnati, which I understand because I too was largely lukewarm. Only after really digging into it did I love it so much. My mom hasn't really given it a second thought since we came back, but since it means so much to me, I've been asking her to give it another chance. She hated Sweeney the first time she saw it and adored it the second, so I'm hoping for a trend.

Updated On: 2/23/07 at 12:57 PM

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 1:02pm

Cool. I truly think that it's improved quite a bit since Cincinnati, so maybe she'll be more receptive this time. If not, though, de gustibus non est disputandum (I totally just wanted to use a Latin phrase).

A little more than a week from now, I'll be headed to NYC!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 1:03pm

I don't understand Latin. =P

I think she'll like it better, too. It has definitely improved. And... it's been almost a year since we went out there. A lot changes in a year.

YAY your trip!!

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 1:05pm

It just means, "there's no disputing matters of taste."

Yay!!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 1:06pm

*huggles Company*

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 1:22pm

Aww.

As an aside, I've been on a little bit of a Merrily We Roll Along kick lately (as the signature might imply). It's so, so far from being a perfect or even great show, but there are certain parts that just get to me, especially towards the end of act two -- perhaps because that's sort of where I feel I am in my life right now. Just starting out, having a contribution to make in the world even if I'm not sure exactly what or how, optimistic but sort of afraid of making the same sorts of mistakes those characters make. Annndd this is totally something that belongs more as a blog post than a post on this thread, yet here it is.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 2/23/07 at 6:40pm

There was just a Taboo joke on The Simpsons. Ned can see into the future and sees that "The Rosie O'Donnell Musical" closes after 3 performances and he says "I didn't need premonition to predict that!" You know you're a geek when...