The Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, Part Four — Page 37

#901

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:55pm

Em - I didn't realize the producers also did August: Osage County. They have excellent taste for interesting theater then. (I haven't seen Spring Awakening, so can't comment there.) I thought at one point I heard Raul or Ian McShane say they did make money with HOMECOMING even with the lagging sales. Probably not a particularly expensive play to stage, with one set and six characters.

Updated On: 7/11/08 at 01:55 PM

#902

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 1:58pm

Yup, and November and The Seafarer, too. They do a lot of impressive straight drama work, which I think is really admirable. They probably did make something on The Homecoming, but it wasn't the big breadwinner in that family.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#903

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 3:28pm

Do you know if they have some particular link to Chicago? Isn't that one of the places both Piven and Esparza worked earlier in their careers (or is it a coincidence, along with Steppenwolf)? I am beginning to think Chicago is a theater mecca.

#904

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 4:52pm

I have no idea, but Chicago is one of the most respected theatrical communities in the country. The work being done there is incredible. My best friend (who works in the business) just moved over there last year, and she's very happy. I'm seeing a show tomorrow that's another new transfer from Chicago. But anyway, it's not like they found Piven in Chicago, and "discovered" him there. Raul either. It just happens to be a place that houses great work and great talent.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#905

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 5:09pm

Don't worry, before Entourage, I always thought of him as the guy from "PCU" and "Grosse Poine Blank."

Just had to comment that I love Grosse Pointe Blank so much. It should probably fall under the "guilty pleasure" category, and yet there's no guilt involved. John Cusack and the most awesome soundtrack ever.

Overall, I really like Piven, both in his movie roles and on Entourage. I agree with the scenery-chewing comments, and the fact that it could be a blast to watch.

#906

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 5:33pm

The producers of "Speed-the-Plow" are also bringing "reasons to be pretty" to Broadway this season. Busy men! I was just talking to my trainer about him yesterday (she couldn't help but notice my minor freakout when I saw him last week) and I wondered what he was up to these days and then came home to read the press release. I am really sad that I'll just barely miss this if it doesn't extend.

#907

Posted: 7/11/08 at 6:11pm

Updated On: 1/24/09 at 06:11 PM

#908

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 6:27pm

It's so good! Now I kind of want to track down the movie.

#909

Posted: 7/11/08 at 8:02pm

Updated On: 1/24/09 at 08:02 PM

#910

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/11/08 at 9:05pm

I'm watching The Other Boleyn girl. It kinda sucks a big one

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

#911

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/12/08 at 1:43am

Ugh. For your own sake, I hope you turned it off. That movie solidified my Scarlett Johansson hatred. I REFUSE to ever see her in anything again, no matter who else is in it- even if it means not seeing Raul in Speed-the-Plow. Why does she keep getting cast in everything? SHE is the one with Nathan Lane disease. I'm so f*cking sick of her.

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Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

Updated On: 7/12/08 at 01:43 AM

#912

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/12/08 at 8:47am

hehe. Well, I rented it from the library, so it didn't cost me anything. And I have this weird thing where I have to finish watching movies once I start them. But yeah...I found it disturbing.

Scarlett Johansson was pretty good in Match Point, but otherwise, I don't really see the big draw, either. She couldn't hold a candle next to Donna Murphy in The Nanny Diaries.

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

#913

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/12/08 at 9:46am

The only thing I liked her in was Horse Whisperers, and that was many movies ago.

#914

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/12/08 at 10:48am

Same, about The Horse Whisperer. And she was what, like, eleven? Heh.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#915

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/12/08 at 11:21am

Me, too, about The Horse Whisperer. I guess maybe she was too young to have developed the attitude yet? Or maybe Robert Redford was just able to get a really good performance out of her. I hope like hell I'm confusing that rumor (about SJ and STP) with someone/thing else.

And what is it with casting female parts in plays Raúl is in? Last year it took forever before they finally announced Eve Best for Homecoming, well after the rest of the cast was pretty much set. Odd coincidence.

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Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

#916

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/12/08 at 11:26am

Well, I don't think it's her off-screen persona that bothers me while I'm watching a movie. I just don't think she's the uber-talented actress a lot of people seem to regard her as. I didn't mind her in that movie Scoop, though, with Hugh Jackman. Anyway, I remember rumors about her for The Sound of Music (overseas) and South Pacific, but that's it.

And I suppose the women in Mamet and Pinter share in common being rather tough roles.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 7/12/08 at 11:26 AM

#917

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/12/08 at 12:29pm

She may be a tad too old, but I could totally see Eve Best as Karen!

#918

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/16/08 at 11:32am

Raúl is doing a benefit in Westport in September:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=30030

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Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

#919

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/16/08 at 3:10pm

Cool! I'm reading very quickly, but woah to the expensive tickets. I guess I'll sit this one out, lol..

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

#920

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:14pm

And Mary Mitchell Campbell is musical director of the evening.

Updated On: 7/16/08 at 05:14 PM

#921

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/17/08 at 10:27am

Congratulations to "Company" for its two Emmy nominations. While it did not receive a nomination for Best Variety, Music or Comedy program, nor did Raúl get a nod for Best Performance, it did garner these nominations: Lonny Price for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program; and Gary Bradley for Outstanding Picture Editing For A Special (Single Or Multi-Camera).

And Kristin Chenoweth was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Pushing Daisies!

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Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

#922

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/17/08 at 11:02am

I was hoping for something bigger, but two is better than none! Congrats to Company.

And yay for Kristin!

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#923

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/17/08 at 7:28pm

Best Performance categories all seem to be dominated by people in the TV business more or less full time.

#924

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/17/08 at 7:38pm

That's logical, isn't it? Sad for crossovers, but it makes sense.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#925

Raul to join SPEED the PLOW cast

Posted: 7/17/08 at 7:58pm

It does make sense - it doesn't pay to bite the hand that feeds you (or in this case sells the ads). I am glad that COMPANY got some recognition.