Posted: 8/24/17 at 11:06pm
He was on the red carpet tonight for arrivals at Prince of Broadway when Richard Ridge asked him when he'll be returning to Broadway. "Sooner than you think," was his response. Anyone have any info?
Posted: 8/24/17 at 11:08pm
Henry Higgins?? I jest, but it'd be cool to see. Maybe even Horace Vandergelder? But that wouldn't fit in with the "big name" rumored.
Posted: 8/24/17 at 11:15pm
He could just sit on a folding chair and I would pay to see him.
Posted: 8/24/17 at 11:23pm
Count me in as someone who would see him in ANYTHING. This definitely has me intrigued and interested.
Posted: 8/24/17 at 11:24pm
BroadwayBeebe said: "Count me in as someone who would see him in ANYTHING. This definitely has me intrigued and interested. "
ditto
Posted: 8/24/17 at 11:27pm
SomethingPeculiar said: "What about Raul as Hamilton or Burr?"
I'd rather he play King George III than Burr/Hamilton, but he'd absolutely kill "Wait For It" so I'm conflicted. Could he maybe replace Gavin Creel in Hello, Dolly!? Other roles could be playing Larry Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen but I think Michael Park extended. There aren't that many new shows with principal cast unannounced apart from My Fair Lady. So many possibilities!
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:04am
Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Enoch Snow in Carousel?"
Yes, please. ????
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:16am
Blockhead24 said: "BroadwayBeebe said: "Count me in as someone who would see him in ANYTHING. This definitely has me intrigued and interested. "
ditto"
I third the motion. What about Sweeney Todd?
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:21am
No idea, but off the top of my head he could replace Christian Borle in Charlie.
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:40am
10086Sundays said: "Blockhead24 said: "BroadwayBeebe said: "Count me in as someone who would see him in ANYTHING. This definitely has me intrigued and interested. "
ditto"
I third the motion. What about Sweeney Todd?
"
Gazillion dittos. Would give me a really compelling reason to get back to NYC.
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:42am
He would be a brilliant Sweeney Todd, though New York's current Sweeney isn't on Broadway, if he was responding to Richie specifically.
Man, I'm racking my brain for what this could mean. It's been too long, and now I'm excited!
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:44am
Interesting. To further the speculation, SVU is bringing in a new ADA later this season. NBC hasn't announced that the new ADA will be taking over for Raul's character, but the timing of Raul's comment plus the addition of a new ADA on SVU is interesting.
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:45am
If he were replacing in something already running, maybe he'll be taking over when Ramin leaves Anastasia? Although I would certainly see it again to catch him in it, I'm really hoping it's something that has yet to open.
Highly unlikely, but since he was at Prince of Broadway tonight, I wondered if he might be the next Phantom for the big anniversary approaching.
Updated On: 8/25/17 at 12:45 AM
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:55am
BroadwayConcierge said: "He would be a brilliant Sweeney Todd, though New York's current Sweeney isn't on Broadway, if he was responding to Richie specifically.
Man, I'm racking my brain for what this could mean. It's been too long, and now I'm excited!"
Richie asked "Are we going to get you back on stage here soon?" Didn't say Broadway specifically, so... I know he meant Broadway. Let me have my dream. 
I cannot get my hopes up about Sweeney.
Updated On: 8/25/17 at 12:55 AM
Posted: 8/25/17 at 12:59am
Sweeny would be amazing!! OMG. I don't know about Phantom though. Love Raul, but could he sing it?
Posted: 8/25/17 at 1:00am
https://www.facebook.com/BroadwayWorld/videos/10155616076659417/
^The interaction happens around the 39:00 mark here, BTW!
Posted: 8/25/17 at 1:04am
I've never had the opportunity to see him preform live so I really hope to be able to rectify that soon!
Posted: 8/25/17 at 3:33am
VintageSnarker said: "What if it's just a play?"
I'll take it.
Posted: 8/25/17 at 3:53am
damn i miss Raul Esparza. the versatility of what he can do is rarely matched. between 2000 and 2012 he was in 9 broadway shows, how lucky were we?? i would love for him to be in a new musical but hey anything would be terrific.
Posted: 8/25/17 at 8:55am
I have never seen him live so I would be so excited to see him in anything!
Supposedly this season he and Benson will have tension between them-that and a new ADA could see him exiting to allow for broadway.
I do love him as Rafael Barba.
Love this board that keeps me updated on so much important info!
Posted: 8/25/17 at 9:00am
Please let it be Sweeney please let it be Sweeney please let it be Sweeney....Raúl has one of my all-time favorite voices and I would kill to hear him take on that part! Just thinking about him singing "Epiphany" and "Johanna (Quartet)" is making me swoon!
Posted: 8/25/17 at 9:04am
I watch SVU, but his talent is so wasted on it. Every character has some sort of familial backstory - Olivia's son, Carisi's niece, Tutuola's son, Rollins' sister, etc. that makes us care about the character. Barba has nothing. He comes in to get the info about the case, wins, and leaves.
I've never gotten to see Esparza on stage, other than cabaret stuff, and really want him to return. Some of these guesses have been great - love the idea of Carousel, Sweeney, or Hamilton. Can't wait to hear what it actually is.
