Leap Of Faith Previews- Page 3

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 12:52am

"Raul is excellent,"

Oftentimes. Not here.

"but then again when isn't he perfection?"

Here. Company.

[Copperfield2]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 12:55am

I don't know how anyone can doubt that Raul will be nominated for a Tony Award. Why else would they have pushed to open this show this spring? And not get a bigger name to play opposite him? This is a showcase for Raul.

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 12:56am

I am puzzled by the negative responses, too. I saw both the invited dress and tonight's first preview, and I think it is in good but not perfect shape. The production moves very quickly, the cast seems to me to have excellent chemistry, and it is clear that the creatives are still tinkering since there were at least five new pieces of business/dialogue changes between last night and tonight. I thought the characters were interesting, and the relationships even more interesting. The Ida Mae/Ornella/Isaiah family dynamics were pretty damn complex, especially if you listen to Ida Mae's song, LOST. If I had one reservation, it is the density of Slater's lyrics. He says a lot, perhaps too much, and it can be hard to absorb a lot of sung details in a short interval. I am glad that a previous poster like the song MAGIC between Jonas and the kid; it replaced what had been my favorite song in the LA production, INTO THE SUNSET (but that song can't work any more for lots of reasons I won't go into). Love having the cast going all through the auditorium.

[djdan1079]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 12:58am

The show is not perfect, but it's a lot of fun. I agree with all of the glowing reviews for Raul. Great performers can lift up mediocre material. BDJ and Sutton did it with Shrek, a show far more enjoyable on Broadway than the dreadful touring cast. Raul is working miracles here too. I don't think the book lacks on character development, although I agree that the end of Ghost will tug on the heartstrings more than this show will.

Jessica Phillips is a fine performer, but also does not seem to be gritty or tough enough to be a town sheriff. If anything, she comes across cold and detached, which is especially problematic with how she deals with her handicapped son. That is the downside of combining the roles of the sheriff and Marla into the same person. It's also hard to like her character in act 1 when she is leaving her crippled son to wheel across the streets alone as she is off screwing Jonas. I found her to be the weakest link in the show.

A few performance that weren't mentioned. Kecia Evans is fantastic and could make jesus walk in the room anytime she sings. Leslie Odom Jr is fantastic in a supporting role. I know some weren't sold on Kendra, but I loved her chemistry with Raul. They were great.

The show is at it's best during Jonas' PT Barnum revival numbers. The energy is off the charts. The book isn't muddled, it's just simple, and you can see the ending coming a mile away.

Still a very enjoyable night out. Raul's performance alone is worth the price of admission

[circusliz]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 1:08am

Undercoveractor -- totally agree with your comment about the ensemble. It was great to see a range of body types/ages/styles, stead of interchangeable 22 yr old dancers. They were fantastic. Although, did anyone else think Bryce Ryness looked like he lost a lot of weight?

Americanboy -- I was in row O and the sound was messy from there too. I missed a lot of the lyrics in the opening number. However, since it's just the first preview there's time to fix the problem.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 1:13am

After Eight- It's a pretty indisputable fact amongst those who love MORMON, ONCE and SONS OF THE PROPHET that Raul gave one of the greatest performances in Company of the past decade. I'm truly sorry that you've reached such a cynical state that you can't realize that.

djdan- I wouldn't say the book is muddled either, though I agree that you can see the ending as soon as the boy wheels himself onto the stage for the first time. Simple books can be very effective. This one was merely pedestrian for me; it didn't provide enough character depth. The book features natural dialogue; nothing forced or glaringly out of place. That is refreshing, but I found myself craving some longer book scenes that let us get to know the characters and build their relationships.

Kecia Evans and her family had an interesting dynamic but they were given NO book to work with. They sang a fair amount, but they really would have benefited from a few nice book scenes.

People can bitch about Goldman's book of Follies all they want, but a character like Carlotta, who is given only a handful of lines, has a completely defined character and the audience knows exactly who she is and what she's about. Much can be relayed using an economy of words.

Updated On: 4/4/12 at 01:13 AM

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 1:14am

Interesting to hear about the acoustics. In the mezzanine, it seemed clear and well balanced.

[f13overture]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 1:41am

Is there hope(time) for the Marla character to get more developed by the time it opens? In LA I wanted to root for her like I'd root for Marian the Librarian, but I didn't really get attached to her character. It sounded like things were pretty together and the sheriff thing made her more complex and alive...

I suppose our sample size of reviews isn't quite large enough to make a call either way yet...

Glad to hear the cast was excellent!! I hope the show does well too.

[f13overture]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 1:42am

Btw, do they still have the giant neon cross? Cause that's the real question.

[undercoveractor]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 1:47am

I intended to mention Leslie Odom, Jr. as well. THAT VOICE is GORGEOUS!!! So clear, so beautiful, and he didn't rely on a lot of riffing to convey that. I anxiously look forward to seeing him in a larger role, but until then I am quite impressed with what he does with this one.

I admire but do not always like Raul Esperza....in this show, I think he is well cast and does a good job. The thing with LOF for me, is that the show did not grab me until well into Act 1. When it did grab me, it was with a book scene, not a musical number. Given that the show starts with a rousing ensemble gospel piece, I consider that to be a problem.

My 2 cents worth is this. There is a very entertaining show at the St. James right now....and I hope that the creative time can fine tune it to be an even better one. It has some issues to overcome, but my hope is that they can do it. As it is right now, I think it is a stronger piece of musical theatre than several award winning shows of recent years.

Just my opinion.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 1:51am

I just can't get past the Raul gettin' some fag hag's vag wet.
Ewww and Eww.

[Peter87]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 3:26am

Could someone tell the songlist, please? :)

[jamiekennywicked]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 4:48am

Can someone explain how Ida Mae/The Choir fit into the plot? Are they part of the ministry?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 6:03am

After Eight- It's a pretty indisputable fact amongst those who love MORMON, ONCE and SONS OF THE PROPHET that Raul gave one of the greatest performances in Company of the past decade. I'm truly sorry that you've reached such a cynical state that you can't realize that.

Indisputable? Really? I know plenty of people (myself included) who didn't think he was all that spectacular in Company.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 6:07am

Plus add in that awful Tony performance of being alive, where he looked like he was about to give birth to a chicken.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 6:10am

"After Eight- It's a pretty indisputable fact amongst those who love MORMON, ONCE and SONS OF THE PROPHET that Raul gave one of the greatest performances in Company of the past decade. I'm truly sorry that you've reached such a cynical state that you can't realize that"

Whizzer,

Have you polled the people to whom you refer to find out how "pretty indisputable" it is among them? It's best to avoid sweeping generalities that can turn out to be highly "disputable." As for Esparza's performances, I assess them objectively, not as a swooning fan. Cynicism has nothing to do with it.

Updated On: 4/4/12 at 06:10 AM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 6:36am

adamgreer & rosscoe- That comment was solely for After Eight who made sweeping generalities about people who liked Mormon, Once and Sons of the Prophet in a different thread (in reference to Kad that if he liked those shows there was no way he was going to like Don't Dress For Dinner). If he could make such a statement I was going to make mine back to him. Clearly I know NOTHING on this board is "pretty indisputable."

After Eight- Objectively I would say Esparza's performance in Company was critically praised and respected, if not beloved, by many, though certainly not everyone.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 7:54am

Peter,

Here's the song list:

Act 1


Rise Up- Ida Mae, Ornella, Isaiah, Jonas, Sam, Angels of Mercy
Fox in the Henhouse. - Marla, Jonas
Fields of the Lord- Sam, Jonas, Angels of Mercy
Step Into the Light - Ornella, Jonas, Ida Mae, Angels, Townspeople
Walking Like Daddy- Isaiah
Lost-Ida Mae, Angels
I Can Read You- Marla, Jonas
Like Magic- Jake, Jonas
I Can Read You reprise- Sam, Jonas
Dancin' in the Devil's Shoes- Isaiah, Ornella, Ida Mae, Angels
King of Sin- Jonas
Dancin' in the Devils Shoes reprise- Isaiah, Ornella, Ida Mae, Angels,
Townspeople

Act 2


Rise Up reprise- Angels, Townspeople
Long Past Dreamin- Marla, Jonas
Are You on the Bus? - Ornella, Sam, Ida Mae, Isaiah, Jonas
Like Magic reprise - Jake, Jona
People Like Us- Sam, Marla
Last Chance Salvation - Jonas, Angels, Townspeople
If Your Faith Is Strong Enough - Jonas, Angels, Townspeople
Jonas's Soliloquy- Jonas
Leap of Faith- Conpany

[Copperfield2]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 8:01am

"Indisputable? Really? I know plenty of people (myself included) who didn't think he was all that spectacular in Company."

*****

Plenty? How many is that?

I don't think he gave the "greatest performances of all time" in Company but it was certainly a stirring performance. And Sondheim praised his take on Bobby.

I don't here anyone talking about Hyde Pierce's performance in Curtains these days.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 8:05am

^
I thought David Hyde Pierce was great in Curtains, and deserved the Tony Award.

There. You've just heard it.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 8:14am

Of course you did, After Eight! (And yes David Hyde Pierce was great in Curtains, but he in no way deserved to beat Raul for that Tony, but really that's another can of worms.)

Again, I made that "indisputable" comment in retaliation against After Eight's previous post in a different thread. I also said it was indisputable amongst the crowd who likes Mormon, Once and Sons of the Prophet, which is what After Eight is labeling the cynical, crude crowd. Amongst those people Raul's performance was sure to be well-received.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 8:24am

^

You're the one who's doing the labeling, and not very well, I might add.

And I was speaking to Kad and of his likings in that thread.

Updated On: 4/4/12 at 08:24 AM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 8:38am

(And yes David Hyde Pierce was great in Curtains, but he in no way deserved to beat Raul for that Tony, but really that's another can of worms.)

Not to threadjack, but I actually agree with After Eight and adamgreer on this one. I LOATHED Raul in Company. I hate that his version of acting that part was "let me pout and get angry and be really angsty. Maybe if I scream my face off, people will think that I understand the emotion of the character." He does this IN EVERY SHOW. I have never understood his appeal, but I found him especially off-putting in Company. And his vibrato on that score drove me nuts. I also loved David Hyde Pierce in Curtains. He managed to take mediocre material and make it charming (the very same quality you attribute to Raul here in Leap of Faith). The only time I've ever enjoyed Raul on a stage, a role in which he wasn't schmacting, was in Twelfth Night in the park.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 9:07am

Count me in as an Esparza Loather - I find him gross, homely, uncharismatic. Worst of all, he narcissistically overacts to the hilt, as though there were a mirror in front of him, and he's madly in love with what he sees. Even Norbert Leo Butz is better, and I think he's just awful, too.

[JoanBennett]

Posted: 4/4/12 at 9:08am

lol... and that's unusual here, rosscoe(au)?

No, I made up my mind in advance that I love Raul! ... and he came through for me last night. He was AMAZING. I haven't seen many men who can carry a show like this. You'll be surprised.

Updated On: 4/4/12 at 09:08 AM