SAW RAUL LAST NIGHT IN COMPANY

[lucydee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 8:32am

I saw Company last night and loved it.
I thought Raul Esparza played the part
of Bobby well. I loved it.

When Raul sang "Being Alive" at the end
of act two the audience went wild.
The ovation lasted at least 3 minutes.
This man was amazing!

I see "Tony" for him in 2007.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 8:40am

Was it a standing ovation?

I'm going to NYC in about a week and I hope to God I'm able to see it.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 10:00am

Gah, I'm so excited for Company!
Next week!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 10:14am

Your typing style is oddly similar to that of another poster...

Anyway, i'm thrilled that audiences are going so wild for him. He's gonna win that f*cking Tony.

[AngusN]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 10:48am

From watching the BWW video preview of this show, I just don't think the John Doyle format worls for this show. At the heart of the show is the relationships and experiences between the protagonist and his friends; sticking huge instruments in between them does not allow the affinity to be easily conveyed.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 11:59am

I just wanna ogle Raul.

Updated On: 12/2/06 at 11:59 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 12:04pm

Well, it doesn't work for that interpretation. It works for his, which is one less of that happy-go-lucky sitcom style. He's interpreting it with a lot more ambivalence, and making a pretty big interpretive statement based on that symbolic physical distance. I think in a lot of ways, Bobby is looking for what he sees missing.

SM2, I hope you get to see it!

[lucydee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 2:41pm

Hey LuvtheEmcee,
I'm back, who's typing style?
Just wondering, I only got like
4 hours sleep when I wrote this.

So glad you appreciated Raul as much
as I did. Looooved Him!

[lucydee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 2:54pm

Stagemanager the ovation was about 3 minutes
long.
Some people were standing some were sitting.
But the point is the audience did not stop
clapping for a good 3 minutes.
Some audience members were cheering and
screaming.
Raul was humbled, you could see the expression
on his face then he put his right
hand to his heart. I almost cried.
This man gave me goose bumps.
Thats how good he was.

Hope you enjoy it!

Updated On: 12/2/06 at 02:54 PM

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 3:05pm

I know I'm in the minority, but I think his voice is suited for rock-style musicals. But when he sings more musical theatre/ legit, it doesn't impress me. His vibrato is a bit forced, probably from all the singing from the throat. But his rock voice is perfection.

[lucydee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 3:10pm

I have never seen him do rock.
What has he done that you have
seen him in sing rock?
I love to know.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 3:20pm

tick, tick...BOOM!, The Rocky Horror Show and Taboo, lucydee.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:04pm

He also did the Actor's Fund Benefit for Hair and Chess and sounded great!

[lucydee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:05pm

OOHH!

I missed these shows.

Was he good?
Stupid question right.

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:16pm

I agree. I enjoy Raul in shows with more of a rock vibe. Yes, Lucydee he was great. Especially in Tick, Tick...Boom and Rocky Horror.

I can't judge "Company" from the BWW video, but it looks kind of hokey to me. I hate the concept of the actors playing the instruments.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:19pm

I also saw Company last night, and I have to say that I think Raul was musically the weakest link. Don't get me wrong, I loved the show. LOVED IT! But, while Raul's acting and timing were spot on, I have to agree that him singing musical theatre is just not that impressive. He doesn't have the right voice for it. The rest of the cast was great all around though, especially Angel Desai and Heather Laws.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:25pm

He was also great as the Emcee in Cabaret.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:34pm

I think vocally, he blew the roof off of the place! This is a career defining performance for him.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:46pm

I think that Raul sounds fantastic in Company. I get the impression that he's more in control of the vibrato (which, admittedly, can be a bit much) for this role. There's no doubt in my mind that what makes his performance as Bobby so noteworthy is his acting, but I think that he's doing the part justice vocally as well.

[snl89]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 4:53pm

I missed these shows.

Was he good?
Stupid question right.


oh dear, just go get the ttB recording. right now :P no seriously, he is.. basically orgasmic in that show. haha. He freaking pwns it. Heck, he even outshines Amy Spanger a bit, and VERY few people outshine Amy Spanger!!

and yes... gah I will be so incredibly extatic if he wins the tony this year And its funny, I mean clearly raul is one of the best ACTORS out there, but I honestly believe that he's one of the best singers out there too! I just listen to him sing and I can even imagine how anyone could NOT like his voice.. haha. But, then again, everyone has their own opinion as far as voices go :)

aaand I'm very, VERY exited.. because I thiink I may just be close tto convincing my sister to take a trip with me to the city over holiday break.. and you better BELIEVE company is top of my list as far as shows to see! *g*

Updated On: 12/2/06 at 04:53 PM

[writer/producer]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 5:04pm

lucydee you can go to raulesparza.com and hear a lot of clips. Most have MAJOR rock flavor!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 5:14pm

Oh, I was just joking about the typing style.

I would listen to the man sing the dictionary, I really, truly would. That said, as much as I enjoy him singing "legit" theater and think he can absolutely handle and be in control of it, my personal preference is to hear him sing rock theater, a la tick, Tick... BOOM! The thing that got me hooked on his voice in the first place, though, was the incredibly degree of versatility -- he can go legit or pop/rock and pretty much blow the roof off either way.

I have to say that I think Raul was musically the weakest link.

Well, he is. (And I guess Walsh, too.) He doesn't know how to play piano, and was taught Being Alive so he could play it on stage. This is going to look like I'm making excuses, and I suppose I am, in a way -- but doesn't it work, really? If Bobby is hesitant (and hell, even screws up) during that sort of moment of vulnerable bravery, doesn't that drive the point of the conceit home? I think it can only aid the performance if he's nervous and clearly not as adept as the other actors, and judging by the fact that the powers that be want him on his toes for that moment, I'd assume it's actually seen as a good thing for the performance. Or, if that's too much of a stretch, at least... not a detriment.

Updated On: 12/2/06 at 05:14 PM

[lucydee]

Posted: 12/2/06 at 5:16pm

Oh, thanks so much
for the info on where
I can hear Raul sing
rock. I will defintely
view the links.

I just loved his acting last night
and his voice.

Have a Good Night