Broadway News
Leap of Faith Moves Up Broadway Run!
Remember back in November when I totally geeked out over the prospect of Raúl Esparza coming back to Broadway this fall as the lead in Leap of Faith? Well, I'm happy to report that I'm geeking out even more now, after hearing the news that Leap of Faith has actually pushed up their Broadway run to this April! Which means it's only three months away, instead of nine. Which means Esparza could be nominated for the 2012 Tony Award and not have to wait a whole year for the 2013 nominations. Which means Jess is very happy.
Previews for Leap of Faith begin April 3 at Broadway's St. James Theatre. I guess they have On a Clear Day You Can See Forever to thank-that show is currently playing at the St. James but just announced an early closing date of January 29.
Leap of Faith, the new musical based on the 1992 Steve Martin film of the same name, is about Jonas Nightingale (Esparza), a gospel-preaching con artist who travels the country robbing people blind by pretending to be a holy healer. Esparza previously played the role in the show's 2010 Los Angeles premiere.
The show will also star Jessica Phillips as Marla and Kendra Kassebaum as Sam. It will be directed by Christopher Ashley, choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, and feature original music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater and a book by Janus Cercone and Warren Leight. Additional casting and an opening night date is expected to be announced soon.
Raúl Esparza has previously starred on Broadway in The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, Taboo, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Company, The Homecoming, and Speed the Plow, as well as created the lead role of Jonathan in Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick... Boom! The man is so brilliant that I even traveled all the way to Washington, D.C. one summer to see him play the roles of Georges and George in the Kennedy Center production of Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George.
Phillips's Broadway credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Next to Normal. Kassebaum has previously been seen in the Broadway productions of Wicked, Assassins, and Rent, as well as alongside Esparza in the LA premiere of Leap of Faith.
Photo credit: Craig Schwartz
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