The Raúl E. Esparza "Spread the Love" Thread, Part Four- Page 84

[bestinshow2]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 1:10pm

I loved Raúl's vocals but he plays George as a bit too gruff for my taste. Prefer Daniel Evans' take.

[wonkit]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 3:15pm

Raul wasn't at the Drama League lunch so he probably didn't think he was going to get that award anyway. He showed up for two minutes during the pre-lunch reception, had his photo taken and reportedly went back to rehearsals. The nominees on the dais were having a great time and Jeremy Irons and Cynthia Nixon were charming and funny co-hosts. Long and surprisingly entertaining afternoon but the food was dreadful - not that anyone ever goes to these things for the food.

WOW - Finishng the Hat, huh? Wish I could have been there. Did anyone stay the whole day, or was it possible to get in for the 8 pm main event?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 3:34pm

I went over around 6:30 and had no problem getting in. There was a line later on, though, closer to 8. They let people in sporadically throughout the show. I have a friend who went for the whole day. I am impressed.

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 3:45pm

I suppose this is a naive question, but would it really have been so difficult to at least broadcast (if not record) this event? I mean, they broadcast the Sondheim one; surely they could have made similar arrangements this year?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 3:49pm

The Sondheim one was also recorded and released on CD; and I'm pretty sure the same is true for some of the others they've done in the past. I'm sure it would all depend on getting the rights and stuff, which is obviously more difficult with a huge array of composers than it is with just one, but I would hope they recorded this one, too, at the very least for posterity, and will try to release it.

[spidey_882]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 4:10pm

I am so sad that I was not able to attend yesterday. I actually really love Raul's take on Georges/George and I would have loved to see him play even pieces of the part live.

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 9:35pm

LOL Raúl!! Sushigate is now a "culinary incident"

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/17/09 at 10:51pm

For those who missed the Drama Desk awards, Raúl is now three for three, losing again to Geoffrey Rush.

He presented a special award to Neil Pepe and the Atlantic Theater Company, and spoke very eloquently about the trials and tribulations they went through with STP, and how Neil was there every single day, even though a director usually walks away after a show opens.

One other note - when Jim Dale announced the Leading Actor in a Play category, he called Raúl "Rrrrrrraúl Espanza".

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/18/09 at 12:13am

I actually ended up going to the awards, completely last minute. I thought Raul's speech for the Atlantic's award was lovely, and so passionate. And I really loved Geoffrey Rush's acceptance speech. I actually think it was my favorite of the night.

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/18/09 at 12:40am

From the arrivals at the Drama Desk Awards:

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/18/09 at 10:45am

I found this in last week's NY Magazine, and I thought I would share.

The Shakespeare in the Park 2009 artwork:



My scanner seems to have picked up whatever was on the other side showing through; the text isn't part of it.

Updated On: 5/18/09 at 10:45 AM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/18/09 at 2:55pm

Definitely don't have to worry about the urge to waste money on a windowcard, heh.

Stark Sands. Hee. His name always makes me think of a beach resort. Or a paint color.

Updated On: 5/18/09 at 02:55 PM

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/18/09 at 4:26pm

Well. That's rather....generic, I guess. At least, it seems they're not counting on the poster art to draw in the audience.

What happened to Michael Cumpsty's name?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/18/09 at 6:31pm

The Shakespeare in the Park poster art is always in line with the Public's "signature" aesthetic, and is always a (IMO, rather clever) interplay of each year's two shows. It's not show-specific, and I wouldn't hang it in my living room either, but I think they're anything but "generic. " And I don't think an institution like Shakespeare in the Park really needs to rely on poster art to draw people in. It's got a built in audience.

Stark Sands. Hee. His name always makes me think of a beach resort. Or a paint color.

lol, me too

Updated On: 5/19/09 at 06:31 PM

[spidey_882]

Posted: 5/18/09 at 10:29pm

That photo from the Drama Desks made me look twice because I thought he had horns!

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 11:46am

Here's an....entertaining interview with Raúl from the Drama Desk press junket last week. The host is....well, see for yourself. Just don't say I didn't warn you.
Stephen Holt at the Drama Desks

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 12:05pm

GUURRRRL!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 12:10pm

Ha.

Hahaha. Raul's expression is like, "Get me out of here."

Updated On: 5/19/09 at 12:10 PM

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 12:16pm

I was thinking that too!

What kills me is that any poster on this thread would have asked more interesting questions and done a better job.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 12:20pm

They appear to let just about anyone into this thing as "press."

This is my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSuJdv2eoEs

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 1:03pm

Oh dear. That one was just...too much. Poor Raúl has this wild-eyed look every time he sees them out of the corner of his eye. And "Hushabye Mountain" is the best song ever? How do people like that even begin to qualify as press?

Oh a happier note, Raúl at the Obies:

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 1:16pm

Pretty. I didn't even know the Obies happened. This time of year is absurd.

Oh, speaking of the DD reception, they printed the drawings in the program. I can scan it if anyone's interested/they haven't been posted on the website yet.

[Hest882]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:35pm

Heh, Raul seems to be giving a totally different interview than Stephen Holt is conducting at times. Bless the man; always giving that 120%.
Updated On: 5/19/09 at 10:35 PM

[humbugfoto]

Posted: 5/21/09 at 11:05am

From a Broadway.com video:

Q: How did you celebrate the big news?
RE: My friends took me out and got me drunk. That?s how I celebrated, and actually that?s the first time I?ve ever celebrated a nomination. Usually I?m, like ?Oh, well, we?ll see about?.what the hell?? But this is a huge one. Now I?ve been nominated in every category. So?.next year it will be for design, I hope.

ROFL!!!! Perfect delivery! Raúl, you are SO amusing!

(Raúl is after Geoffrey Rush, at about 3:15)

Tony Nominees Poll Question 1

[bestinshow2]

Posted: 5/21/09 at 12:12pm

This is my favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSuJdv2eoEs

Ok, that was plain creepy!!