"Phantom" has its chandelier. "Miss Saigon" has its helicopter landing on stage. And now "Leap of Faith" has something so spectacular that it, like those other shows, will blow you away and is worth the price of admission.
"Leap of Faith" though doesn't need to rely on theatrics to win over its audience. It's got a score from the multiple Academy Award winning Alan Menken, a trio of female costars that can be considered the new stage divas and the star power of Raul Esparza.
Esparza is not a household name - except for those theatre lovers like me. Esparza is reason enough to see any show, especially musical. His four Tony nominations prove his talents. But now, he's in a role of lifetime that from this point on, will be his signature part. Esparza plays faith healer Jonas Nightingale, whose band of grifters get stuck in a small town and try to get the most out of it...namely, pulling of a scam.
Esparza was made for this role. As an actor, he is flawless. Part con and part standup guy, Esparza embodies it all and is able to get the audience to empathize with him, even though he's not a reputable character. It takes true talent to get sympathy from an audience when you're playing in essence a villain. But Esparza wins you over. And if he doesn't with his acting, then it surely does with his voice. He also is seductive and it's easy to see how it gets people in his lair, unlike Steve Martin in the movie that this show is based on.
Esparza has one of the strongest voices in theatre today. If the power of his voice doesn't blow your socks off, then listen to his phraseology and interpretations - Esparza can emote any feeling in song. If you haven't heard him or seem him, then you have really missed one of the true stars of modern musical theatre.
Of course, he has many moments in this Tony-worthy performance, but his “Soliloquy” in the second act is great art, served on a platter. And the emotion this moment creates is palpable in which as the song quietly ends, the audience is silent for several moments as they regroup before giving (loudly) the performance its due applause.
Any show with Raul Esparza can be a one man show, but "Faith" is not. The good news is, Esparza has great singing support from Kendra Kassebaum, Krystal Joy Brown and Kecia Lewis-Evans. Each of these terrific actresses have some beautiful moments on stage but none is better than when they ban together and sing "Are You on the Bus?"
The songs from the famous Menken don't disappoint - even if not sung by Esparza and the three divas. They advance the plot while entertain at the same time. And it's easy to leave the theatre with a song in your head. While no Howard Ashman, lyricist Glenn Slater does bring a lot to the table and seems to be in good partnership with Menken. One I hope continues with other shows.
Counter balancing our trio of divas, "Faith" also has a treat for gay audiences with a stage full of hot men. Call the NRA as "Faith's" leading men are packing serious guns with hot arms at every turn.
Then there's Brooke Shields, the show's leading lady. She's a credible actress and still looks good. But she is limited musically. She can carry a tune, as long as its in a lightweight bag. She's no match for Esparza or the divas, but she gets kudos for braving to be in the same stage as them
"Leap of Faith" should and hopeful will continue to wow audiences - hopefully beyond its run at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre through Oct. 24. And it will be remembered.
Perhaps in time people might not remember the story, but there's still the show's outrageous stunt, for a lack of a better word. I'm only whetting your appetite with this theatrical occurrence that happens in the second act. I decided not to give away what it is, but like the chandelier and the helicopter, you will remember this moment for a long time.
Check out a clip of the show and buy tickets at http://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/productiondetail.aspx?id=13732 and keep the faith alive and befriend them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Leap.Of.Faith.Musical
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