Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT

[Yankeefan007]

Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#1

Posted: 4/15/09 at 12:20pm

Michael Cumpsty, Raúl Esparza, Hamish Linklater, Audra McDonald, David Pittu, Jay O. Sanders will join Anne Hatahway in TWELFTH NIGHT.

Cumpsty is Malvolio, Esparza is Orsino, Linlater is Aguecheek, McDonalid is Olivia, Pittu is Feste and Sanders is Sir Toby.
Updated On: 4/15/09 at 12:20 PM

[Taryn]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#2

Posted: 4/15/09 at 12:33pm

So you're saying that me not visiting NYC this summer is NOT an option.
Updated On: 4/15/09 at 12:33 PM

[orangeskittles]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#2

Posted: 4/15/09 at 12:33pm

Ha. I was right about Orsino.

And Audra! Yay!

Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

Updated On: 4/15/09 at 12:33 PM

[Perfectly Marvelous]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#3

Posted: 4/15/09 at 12:35pm

This sounds great!

Hopefully I'll be in the city this summer to catch a performance.

"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams." - Doctor Who

"Yes, the brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over, men recognize that the human race has been harshly treated but it has moved forward." - Les Miserables

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#4

Posted: 4/15/09 at 12:44pm

This is me COMPLETELY FLAILING.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#5

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:11pm

UM, YAY!

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

Wishes come true, not free.

[humbugfoto]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#6

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:20pm

Yeah, Orsino made the most sense, casting-wise, but lord! he's a dull fellow!

Well, if anyone can liven him up, it's Raúl!

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[Ed_Mottershead]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#7

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:26pm

I totally agree, humbug. Here we have one of the finest performers in front of the public today wasted on an unrewarding role. Malvolio might have been interesting casting, but there's no place to go with Orsino. Not really on topic, but if we're talking Shakespeare, think what an Iago Esparza would make!

BroadwayEd

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#8

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:43pm

what an Iago Esparza would make!

That has long been on my wish list.

I don't know Twelfth Night very well, but I would like to believe that if anyone can do something with a "nothing" character, it's him.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[humbugfoto]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#9

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:46pm

I'm hoping that perhaps Raúl saw this as a challenge to try and make something special out of not a lot to work with. He does seem to relish such theatrical difficulties.

And, oh dear heavens, Iago! I don't dare dream that he'll get to play Iago someday. That would be so stunning I can't even think of anything coherent to say!

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[MrMidwest]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#10

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:48pm

Did anyone see Pittu on Fringe last night?

"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#11

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:58pm

I did!

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[Tom1071]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#12

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:59pm

I'm sure Raul Esparza would rather be doing this with an A-List cast than doing nothing at all.

I'm excited about this. Twelfth Night is my favorite Shakespeare play and I am so excited that Audra is now involved. She will be a fantastic Olivia.

[Bostongal]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#13

Posted: 4/15/09 at 2:07pm

Back in the late 70's, early 80's, I saw Raul Julia as Othello and Richard Dreyfuss as Iago in the Park...Oh, Joe Papp was the best at casting!

I don't believe that less is more. I believe that more is more. I believe that less is less, fat fat, thin thin, and enough is enough. Mark Hampton

[sweetestsiren]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#14

Posted: 4/15/09 at 2:08pm

I was telling myself that I couldn't afford a trip to New York until this fall... how weak is my resolve? Amazing cast, my general "blah" feelings towards Hathaway notwithstanding (although honestly, I think she'll probably do well).

[yay_gerb]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#15

Posted: 4/15/09 at 2:39pm

random question..sorry to threadjack..but how does SITP work for the actors? do they get paid? i know it's free so i'm curious how this works out.

BROADWAY IMPACT!
TAKE ACTION! EQUALITY!
http://www.broadwayimpact.com/

[Jazzysuite82]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#16

Posted: 4/15/09 at 2:56pm

DAMN IT...this sucks. Now I'll HAVE to camp out this summer.

[BroadwayChica]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#17

Posted: 4/15/09 at 4:13pm

Orsino may not be one of Shakespeare's overtly fascinating creations, but he's far from a dull, "nothing" character. I've seen many productions that play on Orsino's sexual ambiguity, and it makes for a fascinating character study. Plus, he has that great and pompous "If music be the food of love" speech. I think it's a great fit for Esparza.

That being said, and no offense intended, I'm annoyed at the prospect of Esparza/Audra McDonald/Anne Hathaway fangirls that will now rush to see a play they otherwise wouldn't have bothered with. I have a huge pet peeve when it comes to people seeing a play (and a classic, at that) ONLY for a given actor. If it takes a particular performer to get someone to support Shakespeare in the Park, they shouldn't call themselves theatre lovers to begin with.

[PiraguaGuy2]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#18

Posted: 4/15/09 at 4:14pm

Love it.

Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

[TheActr97J]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#19

Posted: 4/15/09 at 4:18pm

Well Chica, darling, you can see a production of "Twelfth Night" just about anywhere. The casting is the reason to see this particular production.

That said.... YES, YES, YESSSSSS to this casting!

"I seem to have wandered into the BRAIN load-out thread... "
-best12bars

"Sorry I am a Theatre major not a English Major"
-skibumb5290

[Yankeefan007]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#20

Posted: 4/15/09 at 4:19pm

gerb: the actors are paid in the $500s. It's pennies. But for them it's a labor of love. How often will you get the opportunity to do Shakespeare in an open-air theater in Central Park?

[orangeskittles]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#21

Posted: 4/15/09 at 4:58pm

Orsino may not be one of Shakespeare's overtly fascinating creations, but he's far from a dull, "nothing" character. I've seen many productions that play on Orsino's sexual ambiguity, and it makes for a fascinating character study

That's what I mentioned in the now-deleted rumor thread. Any Shakespeare is dull when it's played as nothing more than lines on a page, but Shakespeare left so much room for interpretation that unfortunately goes unused so often.


Anne Hathaway in Shakespeare. Hee.

Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

Updated On: 4/15/09 at 04:58 PM

[Hest882]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#22

Posted: 4/15/09 at 5:21pm

What sweetestsiren said.

I'm supposed to be sticking to a budget, and NYC is decidedly NOT a part of that budget. Gee, but that devil on my shoulder is quite the charmer...

[AndAllThatJazz22]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#23

Posted: 4/15/09 at 6:56pm

I LOVE Raul , but I HATE Shakespeare. This is bittersweet.

"There's nothing good on. The media hates Christmas. The media loves vampires, though. Maybe they will show a Twilight Christmas."
-Danmeg's 10 year old son.

[scaryclowns2232]

re: Esparza, McDonald, Cumpsty complete cast of SITP's TWELFTH NIGHT#24

Posted: 4/15/09 at 9:15pm

Perfect casting.

I am camping out. And I am getting tickets. Because this looks INCREDIBLE.