Raul Esparza to Star in Reading of New Musical LEAP OF FAITH

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:32am

You'll have to pardon me if this has been discussed. I did a search and found nothing.

From Playbill.com PRELUDE TO A KISS Opening Night Notes:

"Director Taylor Hackford went stag to the play and party, sans his lately much-celebrated wife — the Best Actress of 2006, regardless of what poll you read ("The Queen"-ly Helen Mirren). He's preparing a career switch — from film to theatre — with a Broadway musical based on a 1992 Steve Martin movie about a traveling evangelist conman, "Leap of Faith." "I'm doing a reading in the next two weeks here," he said, "and Raul Esparza is doing the Steve Martin role." Glenn (A Class Act) Slater, whom Alan Menken tapped to write the new songs for The Little Mermaid, will do lyrics to Menken's music and co-write the book with Janus Cercone, who wrote the original screenplay."
Third to Last Paragraph

Updated On: 3/13/07 at 09:32 AM

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:34am

Wow. They really fast tracked this thing.

It wasn't long ago I was reading about them beginning to write it. Unless it just seems like it was not that long ago to me.

[Craig]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:46am

It's been about 2 years. I've heard several numbers from the show and will confess it's probably some of Menken's best work ever. Definitely looking forward to this one...

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 9:58am

Menken sure is busy nowadays.

THE LITTLE MERMAID coming to Broadway this year.
SISTER ACT in it's "pre-Broadway" tryout.
LEAP OF FAITH in workshops.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:13am

I did a quick Google search and found a few other things:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=8875

https://www.playbill.com/news/article/104917.html

I'm assuming it won't be open to the public, sad. Good for Raúl, though. New work's always exciting.

Updated On: 3/13/07 at 10:13 AM

[Fan2]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:35am

According to Kelli O'Hara's official website, Hugh Jackman was supposed to do the workshop with her this week. Hugh must have backed out - I know he was filming his TV pilot last week so presumably it went into this week also.

http://www.kelliohara.com/events_page.html

>>Kelli's workshop of "Leap of Faith" opposite Hugh Jackman
and directed by Taylor Hackford will be March 12-16.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:35am

Good for Raul, but what happened to Hugh Jackman?

[Fan2]

Posted: 3/13/07 at 10:39am

Last week Hugh was filming his TV pilot in Laughlin, Nevada so perhaps he's also doing that this week. It's been reported that he's returning to Australia next week to start preparing/filming the Baz Luhrmann movie "Australia" with Nicole Kidman and that should take them through September.
Updated On: 3/13/07 at 10:39 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 12:33am

I'll take Raul over Hugh any day.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 12:45am

As would I, but that aside, I think it's really impressive that he's their pick to replace as big a star as Hugh Jackman.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 1:03am

I think it will be a long time before we see Sister Act on Broadway. That show needs a star. Period.

Back to topic, Raul would be great in the role. This show has been worked on for year, so I'm hoping this is some kind of breakthrough workshop for them.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 1:07am

Without Hugh, who it was designed for,
It will be an up hill battle,

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 1:17am

I think Hugh would bring in the crowds, but Esparza certainly can surpass Jackman in the singing category. Still, this will be a tough sell without a name.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 2:20am

While I'm always iffy on screen to stage. The thought of hearing Raul get to use his rock/soul voice again for the revival meeting numbers is enough to sell me on this.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 2:53am

I haven't seen the film, I just read a general synopsis so pardon my question but how is this Broadway show going to be different from THE MUSIC MAN?

[Craig]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 8:44am

The story is quite different than the music man. I'd relate it more to Anyone Can Whistle...

Updated On: 3/14/07 at 08:44 AM

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 9:56am

Any more information on this reading? Is there any chance that it will be open tp the public?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 10:00am

I highly doubt it will be a public reading. These readings happen for a purpose. And one of the purposes, aside from creative advancement, is to pitch it to prospective investors.

[allvocal]

Posted: 3/14/07 at 6:01pm

I was at Chelsea Studios today.. where they were rehearsing.. It sounds good.. Kelli Ohara.. looked hot as she walked by.. woo.. And Raul stoped to talk to a friend of mine.. so I was introduced and of course listened in.. I'm sure it will be a long while before Leap Of Faith is anywhere where anyone could see it.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/18/07 at 1:41pm

Nothing new -- just another piece about Hackford's involvement.
___________________________________________________

According to The New York Post's Liz Smith, award-winning filmmaker Taylor Hackford will direct the upcoming Broadway musical Leap of Faith.

Hackford, who is married to Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, will make his Broadway debut as the director of the musical, which will feature music by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Glenn Slater (Disney's Home on the Range, with Menken) and a book by James Cercone (Leap of Faith screenplay).
____________________________________________________

Smith reports that Kelli O'Hara (The Light in the Piazza) was involved in a recent read-through of the musical. Casting, as well as theatre and dates, have not been announced.
'Ray' Director Hackford to Helm Bway-Bound 'Leap of Faith'

Updated On: 3/18/07 at 01:41 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/23/07 at 10:47am

I think this particular workshop ends soon if it hasn't already. Has anyone heard anything or had a chance to see this (if there's even been a performance)?