Who else caught Raul Esparza Concert in Northridge CA?

[Someone in a Tree2]

We thought it was a pretty great 2 hours of Raul singing nothing but Sondheim, which is always a good match (and no, not a peep of that annoying Leap of Faith score). Gorgeous piano accompaniment by his lovely musical director throughout (sorry--her name escapes me). If you're a huge Raul fan you probably loved the night; if you're not a great fan (like my husband), all of his vocal weaknesses were on full display too (some scratchy vocals at times, and an overabundance of passion!!!).

Best of all was his honest and revealing chitchat between numbers, tracing his connections to Sondheim over the years, and his repeated auditions for Sondheim roles he never got to play (Henrik in ALNM, and Zangara in Roundabout's ASSASSINS revival. And he does a great Steve imitation-- who knew?

A partial song list from memory--
SOMETHING'S COMING
NOT WHILE I'M AROUND
NO MORE
TALENT
LESSON #8
TAKE ME TO THE WORLD
WITH SO LITTLE TO BE SURE OF
FRANKLIN SHEPHERD INC.
EVERYBODY SAYS DON'T
I REMEMBER SKY
MARRY ME A LITTLE
MULTITUDES OF AMYS
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
BEING ALIVE
and for an encore, FINISHING THE HAT

[humbugfoto]

His music director is Mary-Mitchell Campbell, whom he met on COMPANY, and who taught him to play the piano for BEING ALIVE. She has a pretty impressive list of Broadway and Off-Broadway credits as a music director and is also the founder and executive director of a wonderful charity called ASTEP (Artists Striving To End Poverty).

[Goggles]

I was there! I thought it was a good concert, my favorite was his stories. I couldn't stop laughing when Mary-Mitchell was talking about Raul's sweaty hands.

[luvtheEmcee]

Raul's Sondheim impression is one of my favorite Raul things ever.

I hope this wasn't the last time he'll do an all-Sondheim concert, though I'd like to see some more stuff that's new for him on the set list next time. Like songs from those roles he's never played.

Mary-Mitchell has done her share of Sondheim, especially of late, too. She not only arranged all of the '06 Company revival, but she worked on Doyle's Sweeney, as well, then went on to do Road Show with him and Merrily in Cincinnati this year. Smart, kind, amazingly talented lady. It's always great to see them perform together.

PS: It's called "Not While I'm Around."

[Someone in a Tree2]

Thanks. luv, I stand corrected -- just fixed the list.

I wonder if Raul and Mary-Mitchell are taking their show around the country. Not sure how many sondheimaniacs are out there for them to attract, but the audience in Northridge was in the palm of their hands.

[Macaw18592]

I was there and loved every minute of it.

Songs missing from your list are "What Can You Lose?" from Dick Tracy and "Goodbye For Now" from Reds.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Thankyou, Macaw! I was racking my brains to recall the second of the encores (GOODBYE FOR NOW).

WHAT CAN YOU LOSE was an absolute highpoint of the night-- never heard it sung live before. Sublime.

[Hest88]

I was there too. It was indeed a great show!

[SingOutLouise2]

He also sang ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE and told stories while singing it.

[qolbinau]

Did he audition for the recent NIGHT MUSIC revival? I remember there were rumours..

[Macaw18592]

Oh, gosh! How could we forget Another Hundred People?