The Official Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, part two- Page 53

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 3:14am

Um...hi.

I just have a few random musings, a semi-review of sorts in my own haphazard style. I'm not used to this, because I'm rarely in the postition where I'm one of the first people to see something and people are expecting something. So don't expect any brilliance here, this is just as it comes to me.

I loved the show. It was amazing. John Doyle is a genius and I just love how he's found a new way of creating theatre, but from interviews with him, seems shocked about it. I'm still amazed at how *not* distracting the instrument playing is. I'm ADHD, so little things like a chorus boy on in the far background giggling when he's supposed to be frozen in place are usually magnets for my attention as opposed to the central action, but in Sweeney and in this show, they just make it seem so natural. The only times I really noticed it were when, like Leenya Rideout- who plays Jenny- bust out with her third, fourth and possibly fifth-plus instruments- I lost count.

The whole cast was just great and so talented, Barbara Walsh and Angel Desai in particular. It's kind of hard to "play favorites" I guess, but the characters just stood out more as being different, so their performances were that much more distinctive. I just felt like many of the other wives/girlfriends just kind of blended together, but Joanne and Marta seem to have much stronger personalities. Heather Laws was hilarious as Amy- that scene I think got some of the biggest laughs- but the ending of the scene was kind of jarring to me. Not dramatic, just that I thought it was kind of awkward and didn't really fit with how the character was during the entire rest of the scene. I guess I just thought there should be a bit more transition between the two personalities she was presenting.

Anyway. Raul. He was amazing. I've technically only seen him onstage in Chitty before, but this was miles beyond that, so I'll just spare you from lots of related gushing. He is onstage most of the time- I'm trying to remember the parts where he leaves the stage and I'm not coming up with anything, other than when he leaves to go pick up the cymbals. Which was great. Side by Side by Side was really made to stand out- from the kickline of sorts (which was applauded, but...let's just say the Rockettes don't have to worry) to the lights, and everyone onstage at once, dancing around with instruments, it was just a great second act opening. His expressions during that scene while playing the cymbals were just priceless.

I think I was mostly surprised at how much presence he can maintain have with just one look ("She was the wounded butterfly!") or in a moment of silence. In Chitty, a lot of his subtly was lost on that huge stage in the massive theater, so I'm so glad I finally got to witness it firsthand. Since everyone else has mentioned it, Being Alive was amazing and beautiful and powerful and a bunch of other adjectives I'm too tired to come up with. I kind of wish I was on the other side of the theater to see his face during that song, but it didn't make a difference in the performance. And all that piano practice definitely paid off- you wouldn't have guessed he was any less experienced of a musician than the rest of them.

Since I was the only other witness to this event which resulted in a 3-page argument, I feel like I should say something, but I really don't want to. I just don't think he was as bad as how Emcee's comments were interpreted as. He was very polite, definitely more than he needed to be, and I wasn't disappointed. Considering my stagedoor track record with him, the fact that he even came out, let alone spoke with us for a few minutes, was more than enough for me. I'm still a bumbling, babbling idiot around him, but maybe around the time he receives his Lifetime Achievement Tony, doing the Chitty rival as Caractucus Potts the Goodlooking, I'll finally be able to pretend I'm normal when speaking with him. But until then, baby steps.

Updated On: 3/19/06 at 03:14 AM

[Katt]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 3:20am

I think that was a good review :)
It sounds like it was great. I'd love to learn more about Company. I don't really know much about it, sans the reviews I'm reading. The setup of the stage seems interesting because it's so small.

I'm glad that you had a good time Skittles.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 3:36am

Sorry to dredge this up, but...

I think the "supposed to do" factor plays out on both ends. At the same time, at Symphony Space, though I was encouraging you guys to approach him while in his seat, I don't know if I would have done so myself--I don't feel comfortable being a "fan" in a dominion other than where fans are supposed to be (stage doors, etc).

Um, you didn't seem to mind when you came over and jumped into the conversation as soon as you noticed that he was responding to us. Seriously, this comment is incredibly hypocritical considering that night, you were telling me to accost him and his wife at the snack bar. When I refused to do that because I felt it was rude, you kept insisting "he won't mind." I know you're attempting to defend him, but you're insulting me in the process. I normally wouldn't have done it either- there have been many actors that I've recognized on the street of New York that I would never consider stopping to say something to, but everything about this was different. One of the first things I said to him that night was that I had wanted to do this normally at the stagedoor, but he rarely stagedoored at Chitty- which he admitted and I don't mind- I just wanted a chance to meet him and tell him I was a fan of his work. It was incredibly awkward to approach him at first and I wish I could have done it the "right" way as you've suggested fans are "supposed to do", but I was seizing the day, living in the moment, no day but today, etc, etc.

I just don't understand why you're making these claims now, when 4 months ago, you were popping up right beside me and joining in.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 9:47am

To skittles' second post, I just want to add that I've witnessed other such events related to... discretion. That's just hypocritical.

And yeah. He was totally polite. And cute. And.... all that stuff.

Even in light of the argument that went on -- and my mother's God forsaken, over-inflated "Raul's a bitch" stormcloud -- I'm still almost giddy over the performance. My memory is very visual as you guys all well know, so I can sort of picture little snippets of it in my head. A testament to how good he is is often that after I see him perform something new, it's a performance I just can't get over.

It's so weird. I can't believe it's over!

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 10:19am

Yay, Skittles! I'm glad that you had a good time, and thanks for the review.

I seriously can't wait.

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 11:09am

Aww, I want to go now.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 11:17am

I was reading over skittles' second post again... and... that "dominion" is really subjective. I also don't understand why you're bringing this into play when the spectrum, kind of unfortunately, is fairly wide.

What strikes me strangely is why you were encouraging us to do something you now claim you might not do.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 11:45am

No, no, no. Totally misinterpreted, or probably badly written by me. I meant I would be too shy/scared to, not that I thought it was wrong. I meant more that I wouldn't have had expectations for him or anyone to stand chatting with you/us for quite a while.

I'm really sorry if it came off that I was saying it was wrong, or inappropriate, etc. I meant along the lines of what was being discussed, how you would expect someone to react. Of course it's fine and you know I was really happy that you were able to approach him--I just meant if he or anyone was kind of...like thanks but not too friendly I wouldn't have...thought that was wrong on his part. Not wrong on your part.

Yes I was encouraging you. Again, not that I wouldn't do it b/c it was wrong. Perhaps out of thinking too much. I guess each situation is subjective, and you can't apply general rules. I did say he wouldn't mind and stuff, and really did believe it.

Again, I'm *really* sorry that I wrote that poorly. I reread and realize I totally understand how you took it. I meant it purely in terms of expectations of a reaction, not in terms of what's right to approach or anything.

And you both made me realize something important. In the future I will avoid applying what I would do to general situations. Every situation is different, and for me to say what I would do in a general situation would almost always come off as hypocritical.

Updated On: 3/19/06 at 11:45 AM

[To The Stage!]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 11:53am

*wave* Can I join in on the Raul love?

[gillygalls]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 12:42pm

So, as exciting as all the Company reviews have been... they're just making me insanely jealous!!! lol Thanks though, I needed a Raúl break from my work!!! BTW, has anyone seen Find Me Guilty yet? I'm going to try to see it today. I've been reading reviews posted on raulesparza.com and I'm impatient to see the scene where Tony takes the stand. It sounds intense!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 12:49pm

I want to try to see it this week!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 1:50pm

Anyway, yaay for the oboe Em. I can't fathom how people play those double reed instruments, and I think oboe has just one of the most awesome sounds of any instrument.

Skittles, that's great that she played 5 instruments! Did she have a big non-instrument part as well? Do you remember any of what they were, or any others in general?

Here's some production photos I found that I can get a fairly decent look at the instruments:

http://www.sondheim.com/community/index.php?action=profile;u=1690;sa=showPosts

Tuba, trombone, flute, clarinet/oboe-can't tell, definitely clarinet in the next picture, couple of trumpets, cello (2 or 1 and one bass?), another seems to look more like viola than violin, I can't make out what the girl on the right is playing in the 3rd picture.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 3:31pm

<-------.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 3:32pm

Smoldering!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 3:32pm

Even when he needs a nap!

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 3:33pm

Woah, *fans self*, he's gorgeous.

[Bohemian1232]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 4:01pm

That is a really nice picture.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 4:04pm

Click it and make it bigger. You'll be amazed!

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 4:04pm

You know you spend too much time on messageboards when you ask your friend on AIM what her avatar is of. I'm like uhh I mean icon .

[Bohemian1232]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 4:07pm

It's even nicer when it's that big.

I've done similar things, Mel.

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 4:07pm

I always click on people's av to see them bigger. His eyes are so pretty!

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 4:08pm

He has nice, clean teeth.

[LionessInWinter]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 5:05pm

Oooh! Stubble! Yum.

Nice pics, Em.

Glad everyone else is enjoying the show, too.
I ask myself again why did that new job come through NOW to mess up my plans?
At least I'm happier on a daily basis.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 5:11pm

I just spoke to g. Raul skipped the talkback. heh. Some things never change.

[Bohemian1232]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 5:30pm

ha. Oh well.