Raúl Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Raúl Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
#1Raúl Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:21pm
According to FRI July 11, NYTimes:
By JULIE BOSMAN; Compiled by JACQUES STEINBERG
Published: July 11, 2008
"Raúl Esparza, the Tony-nominated star of “The Homecoming,” will join the cast of “Speed-the-Plow,” the acerbic David Mamet play returning to Broadway in October. Mr. Esparza has signed on to play the role of Charlie Fox, a Hollywood producer, opposite Jeremy Piven, who will play the production executive Bobby Gould. The role of Karen, the ditsy secretary played by Madonna in the original 1988 production, has yet to be cast."
Updated On: 7/10/08 at 07:21 PM
#2re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:22pm*joy*
#2re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:22pmAhh...Piven and Esparza. A most good time indeed!
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#4re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:27pmThis cast includes what are literally my favoritectheatre actor and my favorite film actor together in a play by one of my favorite playwrights ever. Oh, happy day!
#5re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:27pmThis cast includes what are literally my favoritectheatre actor and my favorite film actor together in a play by one of my favorite playwrights ever. Oh, happy day!
misschung
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
#6re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:29pm
I just skimmed that and saw Madonna's name, and went "what?!"
Anyway, good news! I haven't read the play yet, but I will.
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
#8re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:31pm
... I'm sorry, I messed myself. That's TOO awesome. Now all they need to do is read my mind one final time, and cast one of the ladies I have a tremendous crush on as Karen. I won't name any names, you'll just have to peep me. :P
(Note to self: stop reading science-fiction with mind-readers in. It makes you lose the line between fiction and reality. Tenser, said the Tensor. Tenser, said the Tensor. Tension, apprehension, and dissention have begun...)
#9re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:33pm
Woot.
I really hope the Jessica Alba rumors turn out to be false. I don't' want to picture these two fantastic actors trying to work with a piece of wood.
Anyone have any suggestions?
#10re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:37pmJessica Alba rumor? Please, please no. Otherwise, this is really exciting.
#11re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:39pmEek, yeah, I hope not.
#12re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:45pmThat rumor is from way back before Piven was even cast, so hopefully it is no longer relevant.
#13re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:51pmWOOHOO!
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#14re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 7:54pmF*ck I hate him.
Vary My Days.
#15re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:01pm
I'm not a big fan or anything but I think it is so neat that he manages to go back and forth between plays and musicals and is equally successful in both.
Now I wonder who they are tackling for the Madonna role...please let the Jessica Alba rumors be false.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
StageFan2
Broadway Star Joined: 4/8/07
#16re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:08pm
Wonderful news. Raul is an awesome talent. I'm glad he's sticking around ole New York where he can be seen and appreciated. 
heathurrr
Broadway Star Joined: 12/9/06
#17re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:11pmOooh! Exciting! Excellent!
"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich
Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide
Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]
(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)
Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide
Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]
(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)
#18re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:42pm
A better article in Variety:
Raúl Esparza gets behind "Plow"
Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.
Updated On: 7/10/08 at 08:42 PM
ashbash1990
Broadway Star Joined: 10/15/06
#19re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:45pmthis production is going to be epic...
What a night! I was in more laps than a napkin!
BwayBaby18
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/19/05
#20re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:49pmhmmm, i don't know. i just don't see it.
#21re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 8:50pm
I still can't figure out which theater this is going into. The Variety article does specify that it will be a Shubert theater.
I'm going to be incredibly anal and try to map this out:
Ambassador- Chicago (Not closing by September)
Belasco- Passing Strange (Will be dark in two weeks, but is rumored for a renovation)
Bernard B. Jacobs- The Country Girl---> 13 (although no "official" annoucement)
Booth- Thurgood---> Dividing the Estate
Broadhurst----> Equus
Broadway- Shrek
Cort- The 39 Steps (It's possible, but not likely to close. It just extended ticket sales through January 4th, from August 31st)
Ethel Barrymore- Godspell
Gerald Schoenfeld- ACL---> All My Sons
Imperial- Billy Elliot
John Golden- Avenue Q (Not closing by September)
Longacre- Boeing-Boeing (Possibly, but doubtful)
Lyceum- [title of show] (too early to tell)
Majestic- Phantom (HA)
Music Box- August: Osage County (Selling too well now, doubtful)
Shubert- Spamalot (Doubtful)
Winter Garden- Mamma Mia! (Nope)
Everything in parentheses of course is all total conjecture on my part.
Did I miss anything?
#22re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:00pm
A better article in Playbill, with dates. Previews start October 8, opening night October 23.
Esparza Joins Cast of Speed-The-Plow Revival
Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.
pli1018
Broadway Star Joined: 4/16/07
#23re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:01pm
Anybody know the status of Leap of Faith? Is that aiming for this season? I know Raul was attached and I hope he sticks with that as well.
As for the female character, I'd say just bring Laura Michelle Kelley over, she's great in anything!
#24re: Raul Esparza Joins 'Speed-the-Plow' Cast
Posted: 7/10/08 at 9:11pmSame opening night as Godspell. I bet one of those changes.
