Raúl Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast

[jayfpinker]

Raúl Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #1

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:21pm

According to FRI July 11, NYTimes:
By JULIE BOSMAN; Compiled by JACQUES STEINBERG
Published: July 11, 2008
"Raúl Esparza, the Tony-nominated star of “The Homecoming,” will join the cast of “Speed-the-Plow,” the acerbic David Mamet play returning to Broadway in October. Mr. Esparza has signed on to play the role of Charlie Fox, a Hollywood producer, opposite Jeremy Piven, who will play the production executive Bobby Gould. The role of Karen, the ditsy secretary played by Madonna in the original 1988 production, has yet to be cast."


Updated On: 7/10/08 at 07:21 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #2

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:22pm

*joy*

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[matty159]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #2

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:22pm

Ahh...Piven and Esparza. A most good time indeed!

[LePetiteFromage]

#3

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

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 07:24 PM

[scaryclowns223]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #4

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:27pm

This cast includes what are literally my favoritectheatre actor and my favorite film actor together in a play by one of my favorite playwrights ever. Oh, happy day!

[scaryclowns223]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #5

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:27pm

This cast includes what are literally my favoritectheatre actor and my favorite film actor together in a play by one of my favorite playwrights ever. Oh, happy day!

[misschung]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #6

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:29pm

I just skimmed that and saw Madonna's name, and went "what?!"

Anyway, good news! I haven't read the play yet, but I will.

The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?

[antiandrewx]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #7

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:31pm

Excellent.

[Weez]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #8

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:31pm

... I'm sorry, I messed myself. That's TOO awesome. Now all they need to do is read my mind one final time, and cast one of the ladies I have a tremendous crush on as Karen. I won't name any names, you'll just have to peep me. :P

(Note to self: stop reading science-fiction with mind-readers in. It makes you lose the line between fiction and reality. Tenser, said the Tensor. Tenser, said the Tensor. Tension, apprehension, and dissention have begun...)

Notes from the Earlham Street Gutter

[frogs_fan85]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #9

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:33pm

Woot.

I really hope the Jessica Alba rumors turn out to be false. I don't' want to picture these two fantastic actors trying to work with a piece of wood.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[sweetestsiren]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #10

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:37pm

Jessica Alba rumor? Please, please no. Otherwise, this is really exciting.

[luvtheEmcee]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #11

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:39pm

Eek, yeah, I hope not.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

[frogs_fan85]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #12

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:45pm

That rumor is from way back before Piven was even cast, so hopefully it is no longer relevant.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #13

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:51pm

WOOHOO!

"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

[NuggetMonkeys]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #14

Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:54pm

F*ck I hate him.

Vary My Days.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #15

Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:01pm

I'm not a big fan or anything but I think it is so neat that he manages to go back and forth between plays and musicals and is equally successful in both.
Now I wonder who they are tackling for the Madonna role...please let the Jessica Alba rumors be false.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

[StageFan2]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #16

Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:08pm

Wonderful news. Raul is an awesome talent. I'm glad he's sticking around ole New York where he can be seen and appreciated.

[heathurrr]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #17

Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:11pm

Oooh! Exciting! Excellent!

"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich

Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide

Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]

(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)

[humbugfoto]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #18

Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:42pm

A better article in Variety:

Raúl Esparza gets behind "Plow"

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

Updated On: 7/10/08 at 08:42 PM

[ashbash1990]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #19

Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:45pm

this production is going to be epic...

What a night! I was in more laps than a napkin!

[BwayBaby18]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #20

Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:49pm

hmmm, i don't know. i just don't see it.

[frogs_fan85]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #21

Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:50pm

I still can't figure out which theater this is going into. The Variety article does specify that it will be a Shubert theater.

I'm going to be incredibly anal and try to map this out:

Ambassador- Chicago (Not closing by September)

Belasco- Passing Strange (Will be dark in two weeks, but is rumored for a renovation)

Bernard B. Jacobs- The Country Girl---> 13 (although no "official" annoucement)

Booth- Thurgood---> Dividing the Estate

Broadhurst----> Equus

Broadway- Shrek

Cort- The 39 Steps (It's possible, but not likely to close. It just extended ticket sales through January 4th, from August 31st)

Ethel Barrymore- Godspell

Gerald Schoenfeld- ACL---> All My Sons

Imperial- Billy Elliot

John Golden- Avenue Q (Not closing by September)

Longacre- Boeing-Boeing (Possibly, but doubtful)

Lyceum- [title of show] (too early to tell)

Majestic- Phantom (HA)

Music Box- August: Osage County (Selling too well now, doubtful)

Shubert- Spamalot (Doubtful)

Winter Garden- Mamma Mia! (Nope)

Everything in parentheses of course is all total conjecture on my part.

Did I miss anything?

[humbugfoto]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #22

Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:00pm

A better article in Playbill, with dates. Previews start October 8, opening night October 23.
Esparza Joins Cast of Speed-The-Plow Revival

Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.

[pli1018]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #23

Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:01pm

Anybody know the status of Leap of Faith? Is that aiming for this season? I know Raul was attached and I hope he sticks with that as well.

As for the female character, I'd say just bring Laura Michelle Kelley over, she's great in anything!

[frogs_fan85]

re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast #24

Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:11pm

Same opening night as Godspell. I bet one of those changes.