The Official Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, part two- Page 59

[To The Stage!]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 8:19pm

*joins thread*

i know i'm a little late in the thread but i love Raul


I'm sorry Em *hugs*

Updated On: 3/20/06 at 08:19 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 8:21pm

Telling her that his head is too full of crap that NOBODY should have to deal with to be worried about making his fans completely and totally thrilled will not fly with her. Neither will "I went to see him perform, and for nothing else." It's too cheesy, or whatever.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 8:31pm

Hot.

Any concerns that Raúl Esparza might be too dynamic a performer for the role of Bobby, who more or less functions as a blank slate upon which the neuroses of his friends and lovers are writ, are dispelled by this extraordinary actor's expertly calibrated performance. He skillfully underplays the part with offhand humor and the occasional wry observation until the penultimate scene; when this Bobby shouts "Stop!" to finally silence the nattering of his married friends, it's a primal scream from the soul, so violent and seemingly throat-searing that Esparza's subsequent, gorgeous singing of the cathartic "Being Alive" is all the more astounding. Another stunning Doyle touch: Robert is the only character who never plays a musical instrument during the show (except for a single cymbal crash) until he sits down at the piano to play and sing "Being Alive," as if only now expressing his true feelings. By the way, in keeping with the current performing edition of Company, the song "Marry Me a Little" has been restored and is movingly performed by Esparza as a fittingly ambivalent ending to Act I.

From theatremania.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 8:51pm

Ooo, I am so excited for this show.... Ahh! I have a feeling that afterwards I am gonna be really sad that I'm not seeing it again.

BTW guys, I had the weirdest Raul-related dream last night. I went to my advisor and told her I wanted to change my major (which is ironic because I just did that- to theater! Woot!). Anyway, I asked her what the newest majors were, and she suggested majoring in Raul Esparza... Like, to become him, lol. I thought that was a great idea and signed up, haha.

Em, I'm sorry. I hate it when people tear apart the people I admire- or the reasons I admire them. Like how all my siblings are convinced I only like certain Broadway stars because they are "OMG sooooo hottt!!!!!111" Then, they see pictures of Raul and say things like "I wonder how long you'll like him, he's not that hot" (they think he's "old" when he's only 5 years older than one of them). Which of course is them trying to cover their tracks because they think there has to be some shallow reason that I like everything, because I am the younger sister and when I was 7 I chased after cute boys *rollseyes*. Anyway, hang in there, you know the truth, and that's all that matters.
Updated On: 3/20/06 at 08:51 PM

[gboogie]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 8:58pm

That scream gave me chills.

He just puts such emotion into everything he does.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 8:59pm

I feel that way; I wish so much that I could see it again.

My mom doesn't seein Raul what I see in him, but in some ways I think it's because she's too busy calling me an idiot or passing judgements on him to see what a rare talent he is.

I don't really see why she has to push her version of the truth on me about the interaction on Friday. It is what it is -- it kills her to let me have enjoyed it?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 8:59pm

The scream just drilled right through me. It reminded me too much of Ned.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:02pm

I was thinking that when I read that- if it reminds me of Ned I'll probably end up way overemotional.

[gboogie]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:07pm

:/ Try not to let your mom spoil it for you, Em. If you enjoyed it and you are happy with the experience then that's all that matters.

[To The Stage!]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:08pm

I hate it when people tear apart the people I admire- or the reasons I admire them. Like how all my siblings are convinced I only like certain Broadway stars because they are "OMG sooooo hottt!!!!!111" Then, they see pictures of Raul and say things like "I wonder how long you'll like him, he's not that hot" (they think he's "old" when he's only 5 years older than one of them). Which of course is them trying to cover their tracks because they think there has to be some shallow reason that I like everything, because I am the younger sister and when I was 7 I chased after cute boys *rollseyes*.

same here. =/

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:12pm

Yeah, this one time I was discussing the Anthony Rapp book signing to one of my friends and I said how annoying this one girl in my grade was because she was harassing me about getting her book signed, and I said she only cares cause it's that "guy from the movie", and she goes "well that's the only reason you care". I was like woah, WHAT.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:16pm

Oh, yes. My grandmother told me that I only liked Rent because I know Anthony. She really knows.

[Atrias]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:18pm

Oh, yes, your devotion to Anthony really carries over, Em.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:18pm

So much so that I would love with all my heart the WORST MOVIE EVER.

[Atrias]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:19pm

Obviously! I mean, what else could possibly allow you to stand such garbage?

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:21pm

My brother asked my sister- right in front of me just to taunt- what "next year's obsession" will be. I was like, pardon? A. I have liked Rent for years, but I've been more focused on it lately because of the movie just coming out (I mean, I was coming home around Thanksgiving and Christmas when everything with the movie was so fresh!) and B. I have loved theater my entire life- so to say that my likeing Rent is some school girl obsession and my love of Phantom or Les Mis is true Thespian devotion is ridiculous. I love all theater, old musicals, new musicals, rock operas, operas, plays... Everything. Why is it that because Rent is trendy now it means that's the only reason for me liking it? It drives me nuts because I have never based my opinion on something by the opinions of others, and here I have 5 older siblings who all assume this is the only reason for me liking things. Ugg, I could rant forever about this, so I'll stop, lol.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:23pm

Well, one thing my family can't nag me about is frivolousness. My 'obsessions' are constant.

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:24pm

My sisters a b*tch. I was really upset because I got into a fight with my dad about him not letting me to go the 10th anniversay (I still don't get why I can't use my OWN money), and so we're eating dinner and I had left the invitation on the table and my sister goes "Whats that?..What's that FOR?" While she knew that I was upset. She just tries to start drama.

[Bohemian1232]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:27pm

My parents are ok with me liking what I do, but they think that I like it all a little too much. My mom will take me to see shows, but they think that I talk about theater too much.

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:27pm

Mel, maybe your parents want you to save your money to help pay for college? I'm sure some would disagree with me, but I can understand that. I'm going to be working this summer and although I'd love to spend my paychecks on clothes, my parents are making me put it toward books and dorm essentials. I'm not thrilled, but I can definitely understand their point of view.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:28pm

RAVE from the Times.

And Mr. Esparza, giving what may well be the richest and strongest performance of his career, remakes the challenging character of Bobby as a seductive, moody figure who might easily be found coolly sizing up the offerings at one of the oversize, overcrowded pan-Asian eateries frequented by single women who continue to cavort like the gals from "Sex and the City." Bobby, eternally age 35, is, after all, a 35-year-old prototype of that show's ever-unavailable Mr. Big.

Mr. Esparza inflects Bobby's wry considerations of his married friends' emotional dilemmas with slashes of dark humor slung straight at the audience, suggesting at times the mischief-making of Jon Stewart at his most deadpan. But his splendid singing throbs with an ardor that expresses the intense confusion under Bobby's veneer of semi-contented solitude.

Seductive and Moody. Raul, you're such a f*cking star. The reviews are ALL OVER him.

Updated On: 3/20/06 at 09:28 PM

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:29pm

Ugg, siblings are useless. The thing is Em, my 'obsessions' don't change that often, they just think they do. Like I said, I've liked Rent for quite some time. I've loved the title song and Seasons of Love since I heard it in a concert when I was about 8, I liked the show a ton when I saw it in Cleveland about 4 years ago, and I really 'fell in love' when I saw it on Broadway 2 years ago. It's just that I wasn't so focused on it because there was no movie about to come out. I mean, of course I'm gonna talk about it more when it's gonna be out in a month and I'm excited! It's the same with Wicked- I was really excited about a month before I went to see it in Cinci, but I've liked it ever since I first listend to the cast recording. The problem is no matter what I try to tell them, they will never listen, so I've given up.

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:30pm

The thing is that they tell me constantly that they don't care what I spend my money on. If my mom won't buy it for me, she says "That's what you have your own money for". Now if I saved up money specifically to see this show, why can't I spend it on that? Money comes and goes, but you only live once. I don't have college for another three years, I don't need to worry *that* much about it right now.


ETA: cool review =) Updated On: 3/20/06 at 09:30 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:32pm

Mel, yeah, you kind of do. Do you have ANY idea how much college costs? You need to save up for WAY more than three years!

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:33pm

SD I have to disagree with that. If she can raise the money herself, then it is hers and she will have to suffer the consequences of using it for that event. Parents need to learn to let go- if the kid is old enough to have a job and save that money, then they are old enough to learn how to manage it by themselves.