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
*joy*
Ahh...Piven and Esparza. A most good time indeed!
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
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!
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!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
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.
... 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...)
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?
Jessica Alba rumor? Please, please no. Otherwise, this is really exciting.
Eek, yeah, I hope not.
That rumor is from way back before Piven was even cast, so hopefully it is no longer relevant.
WOOHOO!
F*ck I hate him.
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.
Wonderful news. Raul is an awesome talent. I'm glad he's sticking around ole New York where he can be seen and appreciated.
Broadway Star Joined: 12/9/06
Oooh! Exciting! Excellent!
A better article in Variety:
Raúl Esparza gets behind "Plow"
this production is going to be epic...
hmmm, i don't know. i just don't see it.
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?
A better article in Playbill, with dates. Previews start October 8, opening night October 23.
Esparza Joins Cast of Speed-The-Plow Revival
Broadway Star Joined: 4/16/07
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!
Same opening night as Godspell. I bet one of those changes.
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