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

[luvtheEmcee]

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.

[humbugfoto]

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:

[luvtheEmcee]

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.

[humbugfoto]

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

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



HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

[Chrysanthemum62001]

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

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

And happy brithday Raul! :)

[luvtheEmcee]

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.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

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

*Cries*

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

[misschung]

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

That headstand is hot

[wonkit]

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

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

[luvtheEmcee]

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

[wonkit]

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]

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

Gareth Saxe is a total sweetheart.

[wonkit]

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]

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.

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

[wonkit]

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

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

[humbugfoto]

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

[luvtheEmcee]

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!

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

[bwayfan9]

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

does he have heavy vibrato when he talks

[humbugfoto]

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

[humbugfoto]

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/

[wonkit]

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

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

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

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

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

[wonkit]

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]

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]

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

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