re: Raul Esparza Update! He Reacts to the Times Story Here...

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:27am

I actually like what he has to say.

http://www.broadway.com/gen/general.aspx?ci=536203

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:35am

Someone posted this in the thread about the Times article itself, but I'll copy what I had said there here, too.

Wow. Definitely classy, and handled very well. And *very* interesting. I'm definitely surprised that it was unplanned and wasn't set to be a coming-out article before it took place. I can't assume that it wasn't somewhere in his mind to do at some point, because he had been considering in some capacity, but I have no reason not to believe what he says about it being somewhere in his heart and happening for a reason.

He very eloquently clears up a lot: that he didn't know this is what it would be going in, what he wishes it had been... and that he knows he made some mistakes. In that sense, if you can believe him at all, I think you can no longer contest that he has no regard for the people impacted. He acted with his heart more than his head, and I can't place much fault with someone who recognizes that and handles it with class.

My friend and I got a chance to speak with him after a performance this week. I don't want to go into what was said on the boards, but I'll repeat this much of what I've said to a number of people privately since then. I think he's a good egg.

Bravo to you, Raúl.

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 02:35 AM

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:35am

he's a class act.

[OasisBroadway]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 10:52am

Wow. you can tell that was a very heart-felt response. I have a lot of respect for him.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 12:27pm

yes, he didn't shy away from the question at all. nice job, raul.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 12:54pm

Wow. That made me sob. When he said "All I've ever tried to be is a good person" I just lost it. I don't even know why.
He's so eloquent.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 12:55pm

Awww. I almost did, too. :/

[andyf]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 1:36pm

Can't talk... Feeling something...

Andrew, tonight isn't about you! It isn't even about me!!! - [FD]

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 01:36 PM

[Muhlethaler]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:02pm

Oh my... I'm speechless. You gotta love this man.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:21pm

Interesting that he said he made a mistake. No one except him knows if that's true.

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 02:21 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:26pm

I was just saying to someone that I don't understand what he meant by that; if he's referring to what he said in the article as a mistake (saying too much) or if he's making reference to mistakes he's made in his personal past.

I'm curious to know how other people interpreted that, even though yes, nobody will know what he meant but the man himself.

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 02:26 PM

[mebice]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:34pm

The link is not working....whats going on?

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:34pm

Just before he made that comment, he mentioned how the interview should have been more about an artist's choices and not about his sexual preferences, so I'm inferring that he made the mistake in saying so much about his personal life. That, and his statement of how he regretted how much the things he said affected those mentioned, who are not in show businesss.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:41pm

mebice, try this. It's a direct link to the video:

http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=541235

I tend to agree, Jane -- I'm inclined to think it's a combinatory mistake; saying too much to that particular reporter, given her apparently sketchy history and what he had hoped the article would be.

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 02:41 PM

[gumbo2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:43pm

That's how I interpreted it too, that he was sorry because such a big deal was made out of it, not of everything that happened in his past.

[mebice]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:50pm

wow....

speechless

[Al Dente]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 2:57pm

I think he's sorry he opened his big mouth. I'm sure Mama (capital M) gave him quite a mouthful.

[snl89]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 3:19pm

god, he is soooo... incredibly and wonderfully articulate :)

does he EVER have a moment where he's not completely poised and well spoken? I think not.

and yeah, the good person part was just... gahhhh. Way to make me tear up raul!! I swear, he makes me do that quite easily it seems

Updated On: 12/1/06 at 03:19 PM

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 3:21pm

How poised and well spoken was he when he stormed off stage during "Taboo" tech?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 3:21pm

I'm sure many. Everybody does. Just not in interviews.

I'd like to believe that while he's sorry for the amount of pain this has caused a lot of people, it still will manage to bring some good to his life.

[Holly Therese]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 3:39pm

I adore him.


Andy F that was fabulous.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 3:40pm

He articulated himself beautifully. I have to agree with those who loved the "all I've ever tried to be is a good person." I found that to be very heartfelt and earnest.

*Edited for grammar* Updated On: 12/1/06 at 03:40 PM

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:37pm

Very well spoken. He's a good guy.

[FosterChild]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 5:40pm

Yes, you have to give him credit for answering so solidly a question which was probably sprung on him on the press line.

[Ariella]

Posted: 12/1/06 at 6:00pm

My respect for Raul has risen even higher (I didn't even think that possible.) He's so eloquent about practically everything he talks about. Who'd have thought a 2 minute interview could be moving?