You'll have to pardon me if this has been discussed. I did a search and found nothing. From Playbill.com PRELUDE TO A KISS Opening Night Notes: "Director Taylor Hackford went stag to the play and party, sans his lately much-celebrated wife — the Best Actress of 2006, regardless of what poll you read ("The Queen"-ly Helen Mirren). He's preparing a career switch — from film to theatre — with a Broadway musical based on a 1992 Steve Martin movie about a traveling evangelist conman, "Leap of Faith." "I'm doing a reading in the next two weeks here," he said, "and Raul Esparza is doing the Steve Martin role." Glenn (A Class Act) Slater, whom Alan Menken tapped to write the new songs for The Little Mermaid, will do lyrics to Menken's music and co-write the book with Janus Cercone, who wrote the original screenplay." Third to Last Paragraph "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)

Wow. They really fast tracked this thing. It wasn't long ago I was reading about them beginning to write it. Unless it just seems like it was not that long ago to me. FIRST WIVES CLUB - THE MUSICAL "Behind every great woman...stands herself!" December 31, 2006 = Yea, I miss THE WEDDING SINGER.

It's been about 2 years. I've heard several numbers from the show and will confess it's probably some of Menken's best work ever. Definitely looking forward to this one... "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

Menken sure is busy nowadays. THE LITTLE MERMAID coming to Broadway this year. SISTER ACT in it's "pre-Broadway" tryout. LEAP OF FAITH in workshops. I'm sure I'm forgetting something. FIRST WIVES CLUB - THE MUSICAL "Behind every great woman...stands herself!" December 31, 2006 = Yea, I miss THE WEDDING SINGER.

I did a quick Google search and found a few other things: http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=8875 http://www.playbill.com/news/article/104917.html I'm assuming it won't be open to the public, sad. Good for Raúl, though. New work's always exciting. I recognize the habit. The addiction to being alive. We live past hope. If I can find hope anywhere, that's it, that's the best I can do.

According to Kelli O'Hara's official website, Hugh Jackman was supposed to do the workshop with her this week. Hugh must have backed out - I know he was filming his TV pilot last week so presumably it went into this week also. http://www.kelliohara.com/events_page.html >>Kelli's workshop of "Leap of Faith" opposite Hugh Jackman and directed by Taylor Hackford will be March 12-16.

Good for Raul, but what happened to Hugh Jackman?

Last week Hugh was filming his TV pilot in Laughlin, Nevada so perhaps he's also doing that this week. It's been reported that he's returning to Australia next week to start preparing/filming the Baz Luhrmann movie "Australia" with Nicole Kidman and that should take them through September.

I'll take Raul over Hugh any day. "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)

As would I, but that aside, I think it's really impressive that he's their pick to replace as big a star as Hugh Jackman. I recognize the habit. The addiction to being alive. We live past hope. If I can find hope anywhere, that's it, that's the best I can do.

I think it will be a long time before we see Sister Act on Broadway. That show needs a star. Period. Back to topic, Raul would be great in the role. This show has been worked on for year, so I'm hoping this is some kind of breakthrough workshop for them.

Without Hugh, who it was designed for, It will be an up hill battle,

I think Hugh would bring in the crowds, but Esparza certainly can surpass Jackman in the singing category. Still, this will be a tough sell without a name.

While I'm always iffy on screen to stage. The thought of hearing Raul get to use his rock/soul voice again for the revival meeting numbers is enough to sell me on this. I got rid of my teeth at a young age because... I'm straight. Teeth are for gay people. That's why fairies come and get them

I haven't seen the film, I just read a general synopsis so pardon my question but how is this Broadway show going to be different from THE MUSIC MAN? "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"

The story is quite different than the music man. I'd relate it more to Anyone Can Whistle... "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka

Any more information on this reading? Is there any chance that it will be open tp the public? "I'll cut you, Tracee Beazer!!!! ...Just kidding. I'd never cut anyone." -Tina Maddigan, 9/30/06, WS stage door Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...

I highly doubt it will be a public reading. These readings happen for a purpose. And one of the purposes, aside from creative advancement, is to pitch it to prospective investors. "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)

I was at Chelsea Studios today.. where they were rehearsing.. It sounds good.. Kelli Ohara.. looked hot as she walked by.. woo.. And Raul stoped to talk to a friend of mine.. so I was introduced and of course listened in.. I'm sure it will be a long while before Leap Of Faith is anywhere where anyone could see it.

Nothing new -- just another piece about Hackford's involvement. ___________________________________________________ According to The New York Post's Liz Smith, award-winning filmmaker Taylor Hackford will direct the upcoming Broadway musical Leap of Faith. Hackford, who is married to Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, will make his Broadway debut as the director of the musical, which will feature music by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Glenn Slater (Disney's Home on the Range, with Menken) and a book by James Cercone (Leap of Faith screenplay). ____________________________________________________ Smith reports that Kelli O'Hara (The Light in the Piazza) was involved in a recent read-through of the musical. Casting, as well as theatre and dates, have not been announced. 'Ray' Director Hackford to Helm Bway-Bound 'Leap of Faith' "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)

I think this particular workshop ends soon if it hasn't already. Has anyone heard anything or had a chance to see this (if there's even been a performance)? I recognize the habit. The addiction to being alive. We live past hope. If I can find hope anywhere, that's it, that's the best I can do.