LEAP OF FAITH Reviews

[bjh2114]

OOF! "Gospel is not Mr. Esparza’s strong suit. When he belts out raise-your-hands invocations to divinity, he sounds like a second-tier Tina Turner impersonator."

So, yah... that happened. For those of you saying Brantley's Nice Work review was a pan, meet the Leap of Faith review. THAT was a pan.

[adamgreer]

Ricky Martin's chances at a Tony nomination are looking better and better.

It's entirely possible Esparza could be left off the list, with nominations going to Burstein, Jordan, Lewis, Kazee, and Martin.

[srg129]

Theatermania is positive:

http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/reviews/04-2012/leap-of-faith_55261.html

[dramamama611]

I didn't like Leap, but I certainly didn't hate it as much as many other posters here -- but these reviews make me feel awful for the performers. (Note: I don't disagree with the critics)


And I can't stop myself from trying to figure out the 4th nominee for Best New Musical....the door just swung WAY open for Bonnie and Clyde or even (gasp) Spiderman. Boy, I really wish they would only nominate 3.

[bjh2114]

I think even Broderick or Jordan (for Bonnie and Clyde) may have better shots at nominations than Raul at this point.

[ljay889]

"Gospel is not Mr. Esparza’s strong suit. When he belts out raise-your-hands invocations to divinity, he sounds like a second-tier Tina Turner impersonator."

OUCH. that is pretty rough. This is even worse than his WOMEN ON THE VERGE review.

[rjm516]

Did anyone look at the NYTimes Readers Reviews? It's like all the people involved with the show saw Brantley's pan and commented with INSANE raves (one even said "Better than the Book of Mormon in every way"). I just don't believe that that many actual regular-old audience members have already posted and have all posted raves. Fishy.

[dramamama611]

REALLY, TheaterMania????? The best three songs of the entire season?

[jv92]

I think the commercial's pretty fake too, especially since it was aired after, what?, two previews. At that time, the show was a bigger mess than it probably is now.

[Mildred Plotka]

I'd love to see Ron Raines over Martin, if the Raul is left off. He gave a beautiful performance.

[srg129]

I agree too Dramamama, certainly didn't think it was as bad as these reviews; but I must concur that I don't think it has the best three songs of the season. Maybe one--the 11 O'Clock number by Raul.

[srg129]

I have to disagree Mildred, I can barely remember Ron Raines' character from Follies. Thought only Jan Maxwell is worthy of a nomination.

[GatorNY]

Are they giving out speed at the show? That is probably taking up a lot of their weekly nut.

[bjh2114]

Oh I think that number is TERRIBLE. The only decent number was the first half of Dancing in the Devil's Shoes.

[SNAFU]

seems it won't be open long. Has had really crappy word of mouth and now these reviews!

[srg129]

Raul was not in the Broadway company of Women On The Verge...

[bjh2114]

srg, that wasn't what ljay meant. Brantley's review for Women on the Verge was scathing. It was probably the last (or at least one of the last) REALLY scathing review he'd written prior to this one. Ljay wasn't referring to Raul in particular.

[srg129]

OK, thanks Bjh, I interpreted it wrong...sorry!

[ljay889]

Exactly. Thanks, BJH!

[dramamama611]

And I just heard a rumor that Bring It On might be getting the St James (in June). I'm not saying this is reliable or realistic, but coming from a person that does not easily talk about this kind of thing.

[bjh2114]

I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. I also wouldn't be surprised of Leap of Faith posted closing notice on Tuesday after the Tony nominations come out.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Apparently, it seems mr. Esparza has had it coming.

Brantley's review has a strange, extraordinarily passive-aggressive feel to it, as if he has longed to dish it to this guy, and now finally has the chance.

Major burn.

[jv92]

You know, it's funny, I remember the opening phrases of about three of the songs (The Devil Number, The Fox and the Hound song and, "IIIIIIII Can Read YOOOOOU") which is nice, but compare that to when I went out humming the whole Minstrel March in SCOTTSBORO BOYS when I first saw it. It's a shame Menken's work was not up to par here. NEWSIES really was great, though.

[rosscoe(au)]

Bring it on will be ripped apart by the critics as well, the only really great moments in that show are done by the chubbier sidekick.

That NYT review was harsh, closing notice should be posted soon! Ben had better things to say about In My Life!

[ACL2006]

it'll be closed in a few weeks. There's just no hope for this show. Ghost at least has decent word-of-mouth, it'll be interesting to see what show takes that 4th Tony nomination.

[Jonwo]

Looks like Alan Menken is going to be the unique position of having a hit musical and a flop musical both in the same season.