Esparza in Night Music?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 8:39am

In today's Post, Riedel speculated that Raul Esparza could be playing the male lead in Night Music revival. IMO, that's super casting, given the added bonus of Angela Lansbury (who, per Rediel, still hasn't signed on officially) and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Any reactions to this?

[binau]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 8:45am

This was thrown around before but thought to be false for a reason I cannot remember..but I suppose if it's recent news, then..

But LOL it would be HILARIOUS if we're 'promised' Lansbury, Zeta-Zones and Esparza, and end up without any of them. Could this be the biggest casting letdown ever?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 8:48am

But should it work out...what beautiful night music.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 8:55am

Wow, I would be thrilled if this turns out to be true!!

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:04am

I'd MUCH rather someone else. Can we please have Boyd Gaines?

[musicalbluemirror]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:17am

I would love to see raul do night music but brian once u said Boyd, I could actually see that being great!

[FrontRowCenter2]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:19am

If you read the article a little more closely, you'll note that Reidel states that the casting of Esparza is from fan favorites writing in to him - it's not rumored otherwise - just wishful thinking from fans.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:21am

Please know that Boyd Gaines has vocal limitations. He's a great guy and a terrific actor, but I don't know if he could sing this role.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:27am

"If you read the article a little more closely, you'll note that Reidel states that the casting of Esparza is from fan favorites writing in to him - it's not rumored otherwise - just wishful thinking from fans."

Oh, then it MUST be true! :)

Personally, I hope it isn't. I don't like Esparza for Frederik.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:29am

As FrontRowCenter2 explained, the article says that the hunt is on for the role of Fredrick, and that Riedel simply received suggestions from people. He didn't say that Esparza is necessarily rumored to actually play the part, he only said that he received the most votes from readers.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:46am

If I were them, I'd still be looking for a movie star.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 9:57am

"If I were them, I'd still be looking for a movie star."

Well, Kevin Kline can sing, but I don't know if his voice can carry this role.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:20am

If Esparza is cast, I will seriously consider not going. I can't listen to his vibrato.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:21am

Listen to On the 20th Century or The Pirates of Penzance. Kline can definitely handle Frederik. I would actually love the idea of Kline as Frederik, more than any of the Broadway names mentioned. But with that in mind, I'm ready to be let down.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:25am

Kevin Spacey can sing. 'Course, he's probably too old for this production. Big name, though. And I think he has the right qualities for Fredrik.
Beyond the Sea

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:31am

I love me some Raul Esparza, anyone who knows me knows that. But I don't know...I can't imagine him in A Little Night Music.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:45am

I agree that they should pursue a film star (though someone reputable of course). I love the idea of Kevin Kline as Fredrick, but I imagine they'll consider him too old for the role.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:47am

I'm so sick of all this speculation! I just want to know who is it and when it's starting already, ha!

[D2]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:50am

Do any of you know the score to A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC? Frederick is not a heavy vocal role and does not require a powerhouse voice. Jeremy Irons is certainly not a singer and yet he was a sublime Frederick at NYCO a few years ago.

The heavy singing duties in the show rest on Anne, Carl Magnus, Petra, and the Liebeslieders. Henrik needs a very strong voice, but he only sings in "Later" and a bit in "A Weekend in the Country."

All anyone else needs to sing this score is a sense of musicality and an ability to count. And, of course, an innate understanding of their material and character.

Updated On: 8/28/09 at 10:50 AM

[MariusPontmercy]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:54am

Kevin Spacey can sing. 'Course, he's probably too old for this production.

Fredrik is mid/late 40s in Nunn's production - isn't that about normal? It was only really Desiree and Charlotte (and possibly Fredrika) that were notably younger than usual in the London production, not the whole cast.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:56am

Admittingly, I know ALNM not as well as other Sondheim scores, but even so I can't really imagine Esparza in the show.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 10:57am

I think my general reaction to this thread can be summed up as, "arrrrgggggh." On so many levels.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 11:13am

I'm not an Esparza fan, but I think he'd actually be very good for the role.

[Hest882]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 11:22am

pats luvtheEmcee

I know *exactly* how you feel.

To add some substance to this post, though, I think if Lansbury and Zeta-Jones really end up in the cast then they may not need another big name star.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/28/09 at 11:26am

OK, so if they go with a 'name', I'd want it to be Kevin Kline. If they go with a Broadway person, I'd want either Boyd Gaines or Brent Barrett.