Raúl Esparza News

Since today is only a week away from Christmas Day, we are taking a special look at the absolute must-own Christmas- themed releases for the Broadway baby on your list. From Barbra Streisand to Sondheim, Raul Esparza to Liza Minnelli, Barbara Cook to Straight No Chaser - there's certainly a little bit of holiday cheer to cast some winter starlight upon even the saddest of Charlie Brown Christmas trees. Here are seven ways to make your holiday a little more sparkling and bright - and some cool Yule selections for how to change-up your Christmas tune listening for the last seven days until Santa Claus & Co. arrive late next Friday night!

In this super special edition installment of FLASH FRIDAY, we are taking a look at this weekend's featured performer on BroadwayWorld, the incandescent star of stage and screen, known for his roles in everything from Shakespeare to Sondheim to Pinter and Mamet, the one and only Raul Esparza. We have some of his personally chosen favorite moments from his career, as well as some highlights from his phoenix-like rise to the very top of Broadway. Sondheim and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE to "There's A Sucker Born Every Minute", TABOO, CAROUSEL and more, this column is a perfect compliment to the exhaustive, 10,000 word interview with Raul Esparza, his most comprehensive interview to date, available only on BroadwayWorld. Also, we even have a preview of what we can expect in his upcoming emceeing duties and performance at this year's ASTEP CHRSTMAS IN NEW YORK benefit, with his inimitable performance of "O Holy Night", which is available in pristine audio form on the stupendous album on Sh-K-Boom.

Here is the second part of our three-part discussion, in which Esparza and I analyze his roles and performances in plays, as well as a thorough discussion of the art of acting - and, additionally, a chat about roles he would like to play in the future, both near and far.

In this exclusive interview with BroadwayWorld, Raul Esparza takes a comprehensive look back at his spectacular rise to fame from this time ten years ago in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW on Broadway, his first New York stage role, to now, with career-defining reviews for the out-of-town tryout of the new Alan Menken musical LEAP OF FAITH - as well as his sold-out American Songbook concerts early next year in New York. What does the future hold for Raul Esparza onscreen and onstage? Will it be Shakespeare or Sondheim or something completely new? Mamet or MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG? You may very well find your answer here.

Stephen Sondheim to Jerry Herman to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael John LaChiusa to Kander & Ebb to Dempsey & Rowe, PUTTING IT TOGETHER to MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on Broadway - the phenomenally gifted co-founder of the Signature Theater is one of the brightest lights in directing today - whether in regional theatre or on Broadway or the West End - and a mere glance at his resume reveals many of the reasons why. Discussing the current production of SUNSET BOULEVARD opening later this month at the Signature, plus a complete rundown of the upcoming Kennedy Center production of FOLLIES, in this, his most comprehensive interview to date, Eric Schaeffer bares all and reveals what makes his productions shine so bright on Broadway and beyond.

OVERVIEW: On the day the Riverton Ripper vanished without a trace, seven children were born. Today, they're all turning 16... and turning up dead. Legendary director, Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream) keeps your heart racing in My Soul to Take, a suspense-thriller filled with twists, turns and a dark secret that will send your soul searching for cover.

Broadway and Off-Broadway producer Ken Davenport (author of the popular blog, The Producer's Perspective) will present Carl Kissin and Robert Baumgartner Jr.'s Date of a Lifetime as the fourth and final selection in THE DAVENPORT DEVELOPMENTAL READING SERIES, four readings of new works (plays and/or musicals), on Monday, December 13th at the Davenport Studio (250 West 49th Street, Suite 302, NYC).

On December 20, Tony nominee Raul Esparza will join previously announced Orfeh, Andy Karl, Chester Gregory, and many more for Joe's Pub's New York City Christmas Benefit.

Broadway and Off-Broadway producer Ken Davenport (author of the popular blog, The Producer's Perspective) will present Carl Kissin and Robert Baumgartner Jr.'s Date of a Lifetime as the fourth and final selection in THE DAVENPORT DEVELOPMENTAL READING SERIES, four readings of new works (plays and/or musicals), on Monday, December 13th at the Davenport Studio (250 West 49th Street, Suite 302, NYC).

The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents and marketing firms, will hold the sixth in its series of seminars focused on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway on Sunday, December 5, 2010.

In an interview with musicrooms.net out today, Anne Hathaway reveals that her next career aspirations include tackling Shakespeare and Ibsen on stage, in addition to kicking some butt on screen. She says: 'Most of the roles I'd love to play are in the theatre...Most of Shakespeare and pretty much all of Ibsen...In terms of my career, I would like to kill an alien at some point. I would like to drive a spaceship and maybe be a spy. I'd like to kick a little a*s.'

Today, we are talking to the versatile and multi-talented Tony-winning actor who has recently found television superstardom following his turn as the Russell Edgington, King of the Tennessee Vampires, on HBO's hit series TRUE BLOOD, but he has also proven himself to be equally at home on the big screen - as can be clearly seen in his impressive turns in 21 GRAMS, GARDEN STATE, CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR, MILK and more. Discussing his penchant for the dark side as well as his musical comedy side - such as his unforgettable performance in Joe Mantello's ASSASSINS and opposite Christina Applegate in the recent revival of SWEET CHARITY - Denis O'Hare makes clear his adoration for the theatrical form and his undying - make that undead - devotion to his craft. This extensive chat certainly gives us a lot of grist and meat to chew on. Be sure to catch O'Hare eight times a week on Broadway in ELLING, which opens today.

The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents and marketing firms, will hold the sixth in its series of seminars focused on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway on Sunday, December 5, 2010.

One of the most beloved and enduring characters in the history of American popular culture is aiming to finally make her way to the Broadway stage. Hazel - the saucy maid whose wry attitude, infallible wisdom and heart of gold has captured the hearts of millions for more than 60 years - will be in the spotlight again in an exciting new Broadway musical with music by composer Ron Abel and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. The veteran duo has acquired the rights to Hazel from the estate of creator Ted Key and are hoping to bring the show to the Great White Way in 2011.

Two more casts have added their voices to Broadway's Carols for a Cure, the annual holiday music CD benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). Promises, Promises cast members sing 'Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel,' and Joey Curatolo, who plays Paul McCartney in RAIN - A Tribute To The Beatles On Broadway, wrote and recorded an original song 'Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas.'

Today, we are talking to the international TV icon herself - most recently having conquered Sirius satellite radio - the incomparable comedienne, actress, activist, filmmaker, producer, writer and stage performer Rosie O'Donnell. In this BWW WORLD EXCLUSIVE InDepth InterView we discuss her upcoming comedy show at Town Hall as part of the New York Comedy Festival coming up this Friday, November 4th, as well as the first news about her new daytime hour-long television discussion show on Oprah's OWN Network beginning in September of next year, plus plans for a New York art gallery showing of her art in 2011 and hopes to return to Broadway in James Lapine's thirtieth anniversary revival of the beloved musical ANNIE - making a girlhood dream come true. All this, and a top-to-bottom discussion of all things Broadway - from Rosie's Theater Kids and their self-written musical MY LIFE that just premiered at NYMF, to her own favorite shows, songs, scores, divas and Broadway performance highlights from her own talk show, to TABOO and her theories on what makes Broadway an American institution. Plus, the first news of her role on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM Season Eight! Over the course of our engaging and enlivening conversation Rosie proved she is the Queen of Nice in addition to being that unparalleled queen of Broadway patronage. See why - and much, much more - here.

Gotham Chamber Opera, Music-Theatre Group and the Opera Company of Philadelphia announce the commission of a new American opera, DARK SISTERS, composed by Nico Muhly with libretto by Stephen Karam, conducted by Neal Goren, and directed by Rebecca Taichman.

Calling all mingling singles, dating disasters, mating mavens and nuptial know-it-alls-Miss Abigail is coming to town! After a successful run at The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center), Ken Davenport will present the New York City premiere of Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage (www.MissAbigailsGuide.com). The open-ended engagement began previews on October 7, with opening night set for tonight, Sunday, October 24, 2010, at the Downstairs Cabaret Theater at Sofia's (221 West 46th Street, next to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre).

The 2010 Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 12 will be available in Broadway theaters Oct. 22nd. Lovers of Broadway talent can do some early holiday shopping as well as support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) through the purchase of this 2-disc, annual CD of original and traditional holiday music from the current 2010 Broadway line-up.

This week we are taking a listen to the soundtrack for the forthcoming ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW homage ala GLEE with a rundown of the second season of the hit Golden Globe-winning musical dramedy series and how it stacks up to last season. Additionally, we take a peek at one of the most famous musicals numbers from the cult classic score - 'Time Warp' featuring all of the central Glee club cast-members of the show, among them Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron and Chris Colfer. The soundtrack also contains a special appearance by John Stamos - late of Broadway's recent BYE BYE BIRDIE, and the other Roundabout revivals of NINE and CABARET - who sings the song made famous by a then unknown Meat Loaf in 1975 who will be making an appearance himself on the episode when it airs October 26th on Fox. So, come up to the lab and see what's on the slab a whole week early as we take a peak at the soundtrack and some special video clips from THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW.