The Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, Part Four- Page 53

[luvtheEmcee]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1300

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:06pm

Happy birthday, Mr. E.

Critics shouldn't use the word amazing. It doesn't mean anything anymore, and surely someone whose job it is to write about the theater can come up with something more meaningful, no? I'm getting tired of "kinetic," too, which I noticed popped up in a few passages about Raul.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[humbugfoto]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1301

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:16pm

More PBJ’s – er, birthday gifts from the theatre critics:

“Mr. Esparza runs full speed ahead with his ambition-stoked character, tapping the full kinetic force he artfully kept under wraps in recent revivals of “Company” and “The Homecoming.” But while Charlie may be an animal in perpetual fight-or-flight mode, Mr. Esparza finds many shades and textures — of pride, humiliation, anger and resentment — within that primal instinct.”
Ben Brantley, New York Times

“And Raúl Esparza, the brooding leading man of Broadway's recent remounting of "Company," makes a smashing impact in the role of a twitchy studio functionary who's waited too long for his big score.”
Washington Post

“…while the always amazing Esparza is the pushy underdog, all rapid-fire action and virtuosic language.”
Clive Barnes, New York Post

“Esparza ("The Homecoming," "Company"), a Broadway star who slips effortlessly between musicals and plays, gives a supercharged performance. As he prowls the stage, dragging on cigarettes and staring out at something - the pot of gold? - he nails the essence of a twitchy man so close to success he'll explode if he misses his shot.”
New York Daily News

“Fox eventually goes berserk as his dreams for the traditional prison buddy picture - and the millions he will make from it - seemingly go up in smoke. Esparza does berserk well, and his scene is hilarious.”
LoHud.com

And my favorite picture of all the press photos released so far:

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[luvtheEmcee]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1302

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:19pm

HA, I'm so glad one of those made it out! Apparently they cut the headstanding, so I'm surprised the photo was released... since you won't actually see that when you go to the play. Which is sad, seeing as it was f-ing awesome. Potentially dangerous, but f-ing awesome.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[humbugfoto]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1303

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:26pm

Raúl, you need something stronger than cake for your birthday:



HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1304

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:27pm

WHAT?! That's been CUT! Cruel, cruel world! Why did I miss that!

And happy brithday Raul! :)

"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL

[luvtheEmcee]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1305

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:28pm

I haven't seen it again yet since the dress rehearsal, but I heard it was taken out.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1306

Posted: 10/24/08 at 1:32pm

*Cries*

Oh Raul...I feel you should just put that back in....no one would mind.

"What a mystery this world. One day you love them and the next day you want to kill them a thousand times over." The Masked Bandit in THE FALL

[misschung]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1307

Posted: 10/24/08 at 3:33pm

That headstand is hot

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

[wonkit]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1308

Posted: 10/24/08 at 5:10pm

The headstand is out. Glad they memorialized it in a photo!

[luvtheEmcee]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1309

Posted: 10/24/08 at 5:33pm

http://www.broadway.com/Piven-Esparza-and-Moss-Bring-Tinseltown-to-Broadway-at-Speed-the-Plow/broadway_photos/5013821

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[wonkit]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1310

Posted: 10/24/08 at 5:52pm

Wonderful pictures, emcee. Thanks! It was fun to see that co-stars like McShane and Saxe, and John Hamme and Slattery, were there to support the cast members.

[luvtheEmcee]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1311

Posted: 10/24/08 at 5:55pm

Gareth Saxe is a total sweetheart.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[wonkit]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1312

Posted: 10/24/08 at 6:06pm

Isn't he? I was lucky enough to meet him during HOMECOMING's run, and he is a doll.

[orangeskittles]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1313

Posted: 10/24/08 at 7:22pm

I'm getting tired of "kinetic," too, which I noticed popped up in a few passages about Raul.

Kinetic is to Speed-the-Plow as cipher was to Company. It's like these critics all write their reviews using the character analysis on Sparks Notes.

Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

Updated On: 10/24/08 at 07:22 PM

[wonkit]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1314

Posted: 10/24/08 at 7:25pm

Dear critics:
I have one word for you:
Roget's!.
Love, wonkit

[humbugfoto]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1315

Posted: 10/24/08 at 7:32pm

Some more curtain call pictures:
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/cdvP3Fr-7Zo/Speed+Plow+Broadway+Opening+Night+Arrivals

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[luvtheEmcee]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1316

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:41pm

Yeah, met him last night. I never did while The Homecoming was running. Really nice guy -- and very tall!

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 10/24/08 at 11:41 PM

[bwayfan9]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1317

Posted: 10/25/08 at 10:50am

does he have heavy vibrato when he talks

Obama/Biden 08

[humbugfoto]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1318

Posted: 10/25/08 at 11:28am

OK, this has got to be the strangest place for a review of Speed-The-Plow:

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/client/pagesdetails.asp?nid=23926&ccid=13

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[humbugfoto]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1319

Posted: 10/25/08 at 12:05pm

Here's a nice bit of video from Broadway.tv on the opening night curtain calls and party:

http://www.broadway.tv/blog/broadway-magazine/jon-hamm-exclusive-video-mad-men-mamet-broadway-opening/

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[wonkit]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1320

Posted: 10/25/08 at 10:45pm

I love the black and white after-party film, with music over!

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1321

Posted: 10/26/08 at 7:55am

Okay, I can't be the only one who thinks this picture is hilarious:

"Blow out the candles, Robert, and make a wish. Want something. Want something."

Wishes come true, not free.

[wonkit]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1322

Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:08pm

Now just because it looks like he is pushing...

I loved the curtain call with the happy look between Raul and Elizabeth Moss!

I'm going back for seconds on November 19. The opening night coverage reminded me how much I seem to have missed, especially in the first scene (and I don't mean deleted headstands!).

[Hest882]

The Raúl E. Esparza 'Spread The Love' Thread, Part Four#1323

Posted: 10/26/08 at 1:50pm

Great Wonkit! I'd be interested in your analysis of what they might have changed. (Other than the handstand!)

[LePetiteFromage]

#1324

Posted: 10/26/08 at 4:30pm

Updated On: 1/24/09 at 04:30 PM