Broadway diva?

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 5:54pm

I recently saw the Normal Heart and was wondering what people thought about Raul Esparza's personality when they meet him.
I'm just curious because everytime I've ever met him it seems like a)he's in a hurry to leave and b)he is slightly dispondant. It's always just an awkward situation, and I'm just curious how everyone else feels about their encounters. He also seems a little shy. I'm honestly not trying to be mean here, I'm just curious if other people think he's a diva.
And please, I don't want anyone to take offense to this! I know there are plenty of Raul Esparza fans here, believe me this doesn't mean I respect his talent or work any less! After all, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed at the Tony's hoping he'll win!

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 6:21pm

I have only ever heard him described as "super-nice" to the fans.

I do think he is on the quiet side, I remember reading he said he kept to himself, so maybe that is true...shy & introspective

I have never met him, so cant say from first-hand experience.

I myself am too shy to do the meet & greet

He comes off very informed, articulate & generous to his fellow actors....cant call that type of person a Diva

Maybe you caught him on off-days, everyone has them?

I am with you, hope he wins that Tony. I think he is an awesome performer

[bythesword84]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 6:36pm

I met him a few times after Taboo and every time he was a sweetheart. He stopped, he talked to everyone who wanted to grab his ear. He was quiet, but still responsive and seemed to genuinely enjoy the people talking to him. I didn't have a bad experience with him at any time.

[robyn525600]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 7:35pm

I've talked to him several times and he has never been anything but very nice. There was one conversation after CABARET that we talked for a good 8 minutes. I had a pic taken with him after his final performance in ttB and it came out so good I blew it up to an 8x10 and i brought for him to sign. He was taken aback by the photo at how nice it was (he also remembered it being taken). The best part is he signed it "With Much Love, Raul E. Esparza" - I am still in awe at how gracious he was that day. And every time I am in his presence.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 8:25pm

Raul a Diva??? He couldn't have been any sweeter when I met him at Taboo!!! He was so kind, he talked to me for like a full five minutes, he gladly signed my tick,tick...BOOM CD booklet with a personal mini-note, and took a photo with me! (If you want proof, see my dazzling grin next to his in my fan photos)
I hope he wins the Tony!!!

[Blair]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 8:49pm

Hey broadwaystar2b, just to let you know, on your fan photos page, the person who is listed as Norbert Leo Butz isn't Norbert Leo Butz. It's Stephen Oremus.

And on topic, I've never met Raul, but I haven't heard a word about him being a diva to fans. I have heard from most everyone I know who has met him that he is very soft spoken and shy.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 10:54pm

Omigosh are you serious???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean it does look like Stephen Oremus and I was kind of wondering why Norbert's were so big in the picture.
I just now tried looking at the signature and...well they all have chicken scratch handwriting.
I just scanned in the signed Playbill. Can you tell whose signature that is?
Good lord I feel like an idiot!

Updated On: 5/17/04 at 10:54 PM

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/17/04 at 11:22pm

Wow. Let me say he was very nice. I have met him three times now and each time he was nicer. His wife is a doll.
He is sweet and nice.
Met him at the nominations, the Drama Desk Awards and tonight at the Obie Awards.
The man and wife could not be any sweeter then sugar.
Updated On: 5/18/04 at 11:22 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 12:51am

He seems nice enough- the only diva-ish behavior I remember from him (and I'm not sure I'm remembering right) is some kind of argument during rehearsals for Taboo. Or was that something Riedel made up just for kicks?

-Plum, who needs to go to bed

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 12:53am

No, that really did happen. Jen Cody talked about it on Seth's Chatterbox.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 1:55am

Wait, who's wife is a doll? I hope you don't mean Raul's! He isn't married.

p.s. based on accounts of friends in the business (i won't give names as such to ruin reputations) he is quite a diva and extremely hard to work with.

Updated On: 5/18/04 at 01:55 AM

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 7:02am

Raul Esparza is married honey.
I met her and she is a nice woman. Updated On: 5/18/04 at 07:02 AM

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 8:59am

He sure is married

And I dont blame him for giving Rosie an earful, she needed to hear it

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 9:20am

Thanks guys! I just had to ask. I guess it's just been awkward because I cant't form clear sentences for him to understand. Will try to do something other than smile and blink like a cheshire cat next time. Perhaps I just need big poster flashcard signs like in 'Love, Actually'.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 9:52am

Raul spent countless hours as a volunteer at Ground Zero after the 9/11 tragedy. That speaks volumns about his personality.

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 10:13am

Dollypop is correct

I loved Raul when I first saw him in RHPS, but after the Tragic Events & I heard about his Work, I knew he was quality as a human being

Applauding EVERYONE who gave of their time during those Tragic Months

[bythesword84]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 2:52pm

You know, I knew he was married but I've never seen his wife or if I have, I didn't know it was her.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 4:15pm

well well...jerry dixon must have been telling me otherwise.

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 4:22pm

The truth is nobody is a sweetheart 24/7....and in all walks of life we work with people we dont get along with....it doesnt make anyone a Diva. I'm certain of that.

After all, Rosie would have some choice words for Raul if pressed. Even though they "kissed & made up"....arguments happen

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 4:31pm

well and the whole wife thing...i don't know why there would be any confusion - because trust me, i was shocked too!

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 5:06pm

I dont know what you mean about the confusion? It seems like the first article on Raul from 3 years back mentioned his wife.

[robbiej]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 5:11pm

Just because he has a wife doesn't mean...well...

Anyone remember the end of the Broadway.com interview with him not too long ago? Someone asked if they could date him and he said you'd have to ask his wife and his boyfriend.

It wasn't THAT much of a joke.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 5:12pm

On Raul's "Ask a Star" thing on Broadway.com someone asked Raul if he'd marry them. Raul's response consisted of something like "I'll have to ask my wife. And my boyfriend." That made me laugh..... But yes, he IS married.

Anyway, I've heard nothing but great things about him. I'm really excited to see The Normal Heart, and hopefully to meet Raul!

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 5:19pm

While its very true being married doesnt mean anything, we cant assume that remark was serious. I read that interview as well

I really could care less. He is a great performer, if he is straight, Gay , bi-sexual or a Martian, it makes NO DIFFERENCE to me

As long as I can see him onstage & witness that kind of talent, everything's cool

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/18/04 at 5:21pm

Oh, I wasn't taking it seriously at all. Actually, I took it as a joke... I thought it was cute!