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Leap of Faith Reviews
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Miracles didn't happen on this stage Review by: Tom Bestor, Jun 10, 2012 |
This show would like you to believe miracles can happen. If they do, they didn't happen on this stage.
Closed after 20 performances and a loss of $16 million.
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| 2 |
Bad, Bad, Bad One of the worst shows ever! Review by: theaterlover, May 7, 2012 |
We were extremely disappointed in this show! It was one of the worst shows we have ever seen. The music was bad, the acting was bad, and the singing was the worst. We felt like we were seeing a bad high school musical that would never end. Raul Esparza was awful. He is not the charming yet the beguiling con artist his character is supposed to be. He looked like he was just going through the motions not committed to the part or the show itself.... read more. Maybe he realizes the show is so bad.
We were in the first row of the mezzanine and couldn’t hear most of the songs sung by Esparza. The parts we did hear were terrible. We have seen at least a half a dozen shows at the St. James Theater and never had a problem hearing even from the balcony. This is a lackluster production of what could have been a great show. Other people in our section agreed and they walked out at intermission. They had the right idea. Don’t take the Leap as this show is not worth your time or your money!
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Take the Plunge and see LEAP OF FAITH Review by: peter, May 1, 2012 |
| Every time I read a review in the NY Times, I really need to ask myself if I saw the same show. I thought that this show was great. Raul Esparza was fantastic as was the supporting cast. It is not a spectacular show in that it does not have too many scenic special effects..but it does not need that. A very good story, very good music and exhilarating acting leads to a very good night out. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 4 |
The surprise joy of the season Review by: BlondonBroadway, Apr 30, 2012 |
| Terrific performances, led by Esparza in fine, compelling form. The score and book both breeze by relatively challenge-free, but overall, it's a wonderful blend of feelgood storytelling and solid Broadway razzle dazzle. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 5 |
Fun! Fun! Show. Review by: lam, Apr 29, 2012 |
Loved this show. Great energy, great cast. I love when I leave a show "just feeling good!" Highly recommended.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Family
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Anyone
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| 6 |
Super Show - Fun and Uplifting Review by: SuzyQ, Apr 29, 2012 |
| We all loved this show! What a great, uplifting night for the entire family! Highly recommend. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Seniors
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| 7 |
Believe a New Musical Exists Review by: Carol, Apr 25, 2012 |
Leap of Faith is just that. It is the first Broadway musical in recent memory that is not a revival of the original or a meaningless movie. Raul Esparza heads the enormously talented cast of this blockbuster show, which has a company of 33 players. The principal players are extraordinary, but Ida Mae Sturdevant (Kecia Lewis-Evans) brings the house down with each number and her stage presence. The story is one of a con man,... read more, Jonas Nightengale (Esparza) who travels from town to town taking people’s money as he preaches salvation.
The play is filled with religious symbolism. The sermons and revivals last for three days (the trinity). “A little child shall lead them” embodies the character of Jake McGowan (Talon Ackerman) as one with pure faith in Jonas. The biblical quote comes from Isaiah, and sure enough, Isaiah Sturdevant (Leslie Odom, Jr.) is the true preacher pitted against Jonas as he follows in his father’s questionable footsteps according to Ida Mae.
The nightingale has a loud song with an impressive range of whistles, trills and gurgles. Unpaired males sing nocturnally to attract a mate. So too Jonas’s arrival and revivals in Sweetwater, Kansas attract the attention of the local sheriff, Marla McGowan (Jessica Phillips). Tensions arise throughout the play between the believers, the law, and con artists scraping by and taking all they can. The leap of faith in honesty, true religion by treating others as one would like to be treated, and love intertwine in the lyrics of songs that move the plot forward and energize the audience. Angels, true to their name descend from on high in the balcony and mezzanine to the stage to form a gospel choir.
The choreography by Sergio Trujillo makes use of a gifted chorus line that sings and dances to composer Alan Menken’s music and Glenn Slater’s lyrics. The costumes and staging are brilliant and apropos to the setting. This is a refreshing evening of theatre that will give you renewed faith the American invention: musical theatre.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 8 |
Loads of fun!! Review by: Sam, Apr 22, 2012 |
I had a blast at this show. The music had the audience clapping and on their feet at one point and nodding to the beat enjoying fantastic harmonies at others. The dance numbers were some of the best that I've seen on Broadway. They were excellent. Even the writing was often so witty that I was laughing out loud. I love Raul Esparza!
The development between acts 1 and 2 could use some work though. The details and originality of the plot don't ... read more sit so well with me, but I loved the experience that I had. The plot was simple, predictable and built some great music, dancing and audience interaction on top of that. And that simple plot was fun and engaging. Definitely what I am looking for when I go to a Broadway.
Recommendation: Don't sit in the balcony. Leaning over to see the front of the stage takes too much from the great experience that the show can be. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Tourists
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| 9 |
Fun and engaging for the whole family Review by: RL, Apr 18, 2012 |
| I went with three teenagers and we all loved it. the show moved really well, the songs were terrific and the characters endearing. i think this could be the next mama mia in that both New Yorkers and tourists will really love it. i was glad that it was true to some parts of the original movie but the songs are all new and the story is more modernized. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Kids
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Seniors
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| 10 |
Review by: Broadway Regular, Apr 17, 2012 |
Having seen the movie version years ago, I pretty much expected it as it was. Simple and predictable. However, that being said, the energy of Raul and the full cast is great. I couldn't really remember any songs after leaving the show, but during the performance they tied together pretty well.
I think it needs a few more weeks of rehersal and it is worth seeing. Would I rank it with Memphis, or Prescilla?, no, but a good time never the ... read more less.
The video during the performance is a nice add. Missing is that it is a story within the play, and it is not emphasized enough, but should be an easy diorectorial fix. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 11 |
I have Fatih in this show. Review by: rskblueyes@aol.com, Apr 16, 2012 |
There hasnt been too much word of mouth on this show , so when I went in, I didnt know what to expect. I'd never seen the movie either.
This was an interesting show as it actually had an intelligent book with a mixture of laughter and pathos.
The acting was first rate, there was not a weak person in the whole show. Kudos to Raul Esparza for another incredible role. I hope this year he is finally rewarded with a Tony,,
The staging ... read more and choregraphy were top notch.
My only complaint with the show was the score. Too much emphasis on Gospel numbers, as others have said, alot of re-hash from Sister Act. However, the ballads that were there were outstanding, especially Raul's 11 o'clock number.
I hope his show doesnt get lost in the shuffle of Once & Newsies, as to me it's one of the best of the season. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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| Music: |
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| Production: |
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| Story: |
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 12 |
Review by: Theatrefan123, Apr 15, 2012 |
| First let me start by saying that I am a huge Raul Esparza fan (loved him in Company), which was the main reason I bought tickets for this show. That being said, Esparza did not disappoint. (Nor did the two female leads and the little boy) The songs, however were forgetful and the story itself was weak. I wanted to love the show, but left feeling as though it was just "okay". I'm not sure how I would have felt about it if I had paid for a full ... read more price ticket. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 13 |
One Small Step for the Theatre Review by: deattheatergoer, Apr 15, 2012 |
| Leap of Faith has one of the most talented casts on the Broadway stage. Especially powerful is its lead, Raul Esparza. His high energy level and his emotional singing style are the major reasons for seeing this conventional story about an evangelist con-man who finds redemption. ( Hand him his Tony already! ) The weak and predictable story is a cross between The Music Man, without the trombones, and The Rainmaker, still with the wet downpour.... read more. Songs are from the same composer of Sister Act, who seems to be in a religious quagmire. He relies too much on the peppy gospel tunes, but doesn't add enough memorable ballads, especially in Act 1. ) Plot devices seem to undercut the song delivery at times. But the whole production works due to the performers. Leap of Faith is sentimental fare but throughly enjoyable entertainment. (GRADE: B) |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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| Music: |
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| Production: |
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| Story: |
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Seniors
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| 14 |
Not as good as the movie, surprisingly Review by: Broadway Fan, Apr 12, 2012 |
| I was really excited to see this show because I thought the movie was hilarious and I love Broadway. I figured this would make a fantastic musical. I was actually surprised with how it turned out because it really wasn't anything special. Most of the humor, and all the best parts from the screenplay, were left out of the script - maybe to leave more room for gospel numbers? The dancing was great and most of the singers were good, but the ... read more lead actor, Raul Esparza, was really a terrible singer. You couldn't understand a word he sang, so if there was comedy in any of his songs, we (the whole audience) completely missed it. Production design-wise, the play was good technically (although there were several technical errors during the performance we attended). In all, rather disappointing, certainly nothing exciting. I told my parents who loved the movie not to bother. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Recommended for:
Tourists
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| 15 |
Great Performance By Raul Esparza Review by: jim-nyc, Apr 11, 2012 |
| Raul Esparza delivers, the score is terrific. I saw one of the early previews, the book needs some work and some technical issues with the set and the finale. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| Acting: |
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| Music: |
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| Production: |
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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