Raul Esparza "There Is A Sucker Born Every Minute"

[iscathy45]

Raul needs to do Barnum!!!! He would be an AWESOME P.T Barnum... he's got the talent and voice to do it!!! Come on Broadway people!!! We need to see this great show again Cy Coleman and you have the perfect showman here!

[mrbrenohenrique27]

lol i was looking for the borderlands and ended up here, i´m happy lol

[matthewdemarchi]

can you downlaod real live girl for me tommrow

[RandomFoodLuvers]

I'm singing this at the school talent show and I'm a girl <3 I JUST LOVE THIS SONG!

[Dave7oddjob]

@RandomFoodLuvers Im doing for a role-about competition this saturday....Break a leg, i hope you do well

[WadeAblitt]

he needs to play Barnum...

[InspectorKaramazov]

He's perfect.

[DancingDukess]

Raul is so charismatic! I love his version of this song.

[PlatoSmash]

Thanks for posting this! I didn't think my version of Michael Crawford as Barnum had any equal....this might be better!

[PlatoSmash]

Thanks for posting this, I have a video of Michael Crawford playing this part but Raul kicks his butt on this song!

[LauraLynn1128]

Ahhhhh.... I do love him. And I love Barnum. What a perfect marriage of song and performer.

[knicknut]

There were 7 minutes worth of suckers who watched this video.

[EmmersEmily]

@paliti he isn't Gay he's Bisexual :) there's a difference sorry I had to point that out.

[Samchop88]

This is one of my favorite plays. Thank you SO Much for posting this video

[musicalbabe27]

that was perfect. he is talanted sexy amazing and talanted!!!!

[amusementparks]

What a great performance!

[dcbandnerd]

The man's a natural performer and a great singer to boot.

[geneimperfect]

Even in a song like this, his vibrato is just dreamy.

[wildlark]

HOW does everyone not know this man's name???

[reader55player]

This is very probably my favorite performance of his. He has fun with the role and does the wring justice. Alan Cumming is still a better Cabaret emcee, though.

[spicywinniepooh]

the way he plays the character is like the way a jack ass pulls a cart, stubborn and sly. he is nowhere near a good taylor. love hi, just not hear.

[oceandawn26]

That singing, that acting, that dancing...wow! *sighs dreamily* Is there anything Raul Esparza can't do?

[VicViper26]

While Jim Dale's version remains close to my heart, this comes pretty close. Esparza is just damn talented. Exponentially better than Michael Crawford.

[ReactorBird]

Is there a place I can download this song? I really want a version of it.

[WireYourWorld]

Well done! I was glad to find a version of this song online that was not a amateur version, not that there's anything wrong with that, but I saw the original with Jim Dale and Glenn Close. I really don't like Michael Crawford's version, Jim was better. MC tries hard, but you can tell he's trying hard, and straining. Wish I could find a video of the ORIGINAL somewhere, WHY oh WHY did they tape MC and not Jim Dale?

[egamer25]

It was part of the agreement of bringing the show to england that the show recording would be done in england. Jim Dale was only in the american company and was not nearly as good. Sorry Saw both not on video but in person.

[cckbritt33]

such an awesome performer

[Capricaquarius89]

I can't believe he doesn't have a Tony yet! He's one of the few performers who has been nominated in every acting category, and deservedly so. I was really hoping he would win for Company in 2007. However, I doubt that Raul will be Tony-less for very long!

[DarkChick113]

Every time I watch this video, I try extremely hard to find where he breathes in the lines. He hides it REALLY well. Absolutely amazing.

[cckbritt33]

its easy, ya justhave to find the palce in the music where the breath mark goes, like in between phrases. sometimes it takes FOREVER but there are spots. im doing this song for a performing group at school.

[colinmcphan]

Not bad. I saw this guy in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". Michael Crawford is phenominal at this song though and won the Olivier award for Barnum in London. If you want to check out another awesome performer who did this role and performed this song for almost 3 years check out Michaels wonderful video of this number on YouTube. Just type in Michael Crawford-Barnum.

[newrochellephoenix]

Wish that he would do the hootchy kootch instead of the educated pooch.

[Larch4560]

Whatr a great song!!!

[jav1ram]

Raul Esparza is such a hottie!!!

[Squallboy1]

"Who eats Purina through a hose" was also performed, "Who has no ears or eyes or nose." I don't know the eats of either of these lyrics.

[kzaaaaaa]

Farina. not purina.

And these are the original lyrics, I don't know where you heard those.

[justanotherrandom432]

Wow. Wow wow wow.

I think I'm in love.

By far one of the most talented performers I've ever seen. Just... wow.

=D

[qbansea]

HE IS A GREAT ARTIST!!!!people...he sings, he acts....he ia a total, absolutly great performer. Period.

[DarthGuybrush7]

What does he say right after "while crossing railroad tracks to pick some zinnias?" It sounds a bit like "who eats Purina through a hose. . ." but I don't think they had that back in Barnum's day. . .Maybe they did, I'll have to check on when the Purina company was founded. Is anyone else hearing something different?

Great performance of this song, though. He's certainly got charisma by the bucketload, which really sells this number in particular.

[humbugfoto1]

You're real close - it's "who eats farina through a hose".

You may know it better as Cream of Wheat, but the word "farina" scans better.

[DarthGuybrush7]

Ah, thank you. You're right, I'd never heard of it referred to that way before. Makes sense now. Thanks for the clarification.

[newrochellephoenix]

I think--you can still find  farina.

[kevinguy247]

Epic.

[SamThePianoWoman]

This is awesome! I love this song!

[cluelessrachel]

I love how you can't hear Raul take breaths between notes - that takes training :)

[humbugfoto1]

Well, Raul has said more than once he's never had any training, and while he's a fantastic natural singer, he's not THAT good.

I think it's more a case of the loudness of the orchestra drowning out the breath sounds and the hand mic he's using. It's less sensitive than a studio mic and too far from his mouth for you to be able to hear him take breaths.

[cluelessrachel]

I would agree except for the fact that I can never hear him breath in ANYTHING he's done! And, yes, he is THAT good! And you can hear everything he says, especially with a handheld mike. And he HAS had theatre training - he went to the NYU's Tisch School of the Arts

[humbugfoto1]

I suppose I should have clarified - he's never had any formal SINGING training. But since we were talking about his singing, I thought that was obvious. He studied acting at NYU, not singing.

Raul appears to have tremendous lung capacity so he doesn't need to drag in quite as much air between phrases as other singers who are built differently might. But in his case that's just a physical attribute, not something he was "trained" to do.

[StarryNight713]

I would agree that he's not THAT good of a singer, in terms of classical standards. However, he has a fantastic unique quality which makes him a tremendous performer in spite of [or maybe because of] these qualities.

[ohmagaod]

i agree that he has a unique quality. however, have you seen him in the company revival? there's some intense classical style music in that show, and mr. esparza pulls it off quite nicely.

[StarryNight713]

I believe that would fall under the category of "in spite of," and it's not like we're talking about him in Candide, Company isn't exactly classical.

He did do an incredible job, though.

[idontwannatalkabther]

whos head was lost, crossin railroad tracks to pick some zinneas! hahaha

[colinmcphan]

I like Raul to "MichaelCrawfordsFan" and he did okay on this but Michael Crawford actually played the role and had to sing this for 3-4 years 8 times a week. Plus you say you like Michael to but you haven't even bothered to watch any of Michaels clips on YouTube of "Barnum". You can also go to Amazon and get MCs Olivier award winning performance on DVD. I guess because I like both guys I respect someone who gave 4 yrs. of there life to a role.

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

I know I'm spamming, but I'm just saying, I can't stop listening to this man sing this song!

[allieree]

I love Barnum! This an excellent rendition performance of this song--comparable to Michael Crawford's (seen on Youtube) and Jim Dale's (I saw in the 80s).

[kakyajun]

I love Raul.

[EriksChristine]

Raul is now in Chess :D

[hwdhillsguy]

I just don't get this guy! Machine gun vibrato! no charisma! comes off so insincere! Haven't liked ANYTHING he has done, TABOO, COMPANY, CHITTY...I just get why he works!

[jklueter]

you guys are so negative! i've never seen the original so i can't compare them. but i think raul is a great singer and a terrific performer.

[mcbarnumphan]

Not bad...I like Raul but I have the DVD of Michael Crawford doing this show, which he won the Olivier Award for, and Mike is just insanely great as Barnum and is absolutely adorable. Both guys are talented and I've seen both in shows I've enjoyed. It's just sad that Rauls fans won't give Michael, who did it for over 3 years in London, a chance. I think, like me, they just might become a fan of both guys.

[EriksChristine]

Mike is always good. No one can beat him. Raul is close. but not that close

[organboi]

what the hell key was he singing in at the end? doesn't he hear that he's totally in his own world and not singing in the right key. at one point he just spews out any sound, not even pitches. the beginning was okay, but the end, yuck. not a fan of this guy AT ALL.

[johnrising]

He's not outside of the key at the end. On the word "me" he sings the third of the chord before he sings the root. It is perfectly in the key and fits within the chord. It may not be the note you expect to hear (which is the root) which is why you assume it is out of key. Learn some music theory before you say a note is outside of a key.

[adcahela]

actually sorry to say it, but you're wrong too. on the word "me" he sings the 2nd, then resolves down to the root. but this is also in the key, making "organboi" still wrong.

[johnrising]

Thanks for correcting me. Ha now that I listen to it again I have no idea why I thought he was singing the third. Good call.

[kakyajun]

He's singing a minor third, guys. And then resolves to the root, of course.

And it sounds a little weird because the song is in a major key, but thirds are often flat-ed for stylistic purposes, as Raul is doing.

[allieree]

Kakyajun--

You sound like you know what you are talking about. I love music but know so little of the techniques.

[Simbafan]

wow! one of my friends just performed this at our last concert, he had to do like backflips and a bunch of tricks! it was cool! i'll post it later!

[fuzzycublb]

Adequate at best...why is he continually on Broadway? And, is Barnum a rock musical? That's how he's singing this little tune.

[organboi]

i agree. what is the big deal about this mediocre talent? he can't even stay on pitch. i'm so glad he didn't win that tony. i bet he thought he had it in the bag.

[blackpython]

Hey, just because people like him, that's no need to call someone you've never met vain or pompous by saying he thought he had it in the bag. From all reports, he's a very kind and humble man. Whether you think he's talented or not, there's no need to attack him personally.

[CaroleLita]

Does anyone have a video of him singing the soliloquy from "Carousel"? I've heard them all, but no one does it like Raul Esparza, and if you know of someone who recorded it from TV a few years ago, tell them to send it in! Please!

[humbugfoto1]

When and where did he do "Soliloquy"? That would help in tracking it down.

[sally1112]

This is perfection!

[blackpython]

Having seen both the revival of Comapny AND Curtains with DHP, I agree with DHP getting the Tony. But I think if there was a revival of Barnum starring Raul, maybe he would win that Tony. I would kill for a recording of Barnum with him.

[unjaded2]

yeah david hyde pierce should have NEVER WON THAT TONY AWARD!! but i guess if ya suck enough of the voters off they reward ya !!

[actressgrl]

AGREE!! no idea why!

[MrsNathanLane]

Yeah. He's Jesus.

M

[hannahwig]

He's soo good! He was good in ROCKY way back in the day and he brings this song to life. He can do anything, lots of passion into it and you can see it and hear it in how he brings the song to life. He can do pretty much anything. P.S. Does anyone know what this event is from and when it was on?

[joeviterelli]

hola a todos los fans de Raul Esparza. Soy Roberto de madrid (españa) y me gustaria formar un club de fans internacional del gran Raul Esparza. Por favor poneros en contacto conmigo. Os espero.

Hello at all the Raul Esparza´s fans. I´m robert from madrid (Spain) And i would like to make a international fans club of Mr. Raul Esparza. Please write me. i´m waiting for everybody now!!!!

[AngelOfMusic144]

i wish i could've been at this event!! it seems like a blast...

[keithkaky]

I could watch this on a loop, giggling, rubbing my belly like I just ate a whole chocolate pie.

[cluelessrachel]

Wait, wait, wait... excuse me Splurge24 - what did you call him? But hey at least you acknowledged his talent...

[cluelessrachel]

ok... no words, oh wait there is sexy, perfect, insanely talented, hilarious, adorable, funny, captivating... what do you know; there are words to describe him - none that do him justice though.. He really needs to realize our hidden love and marry me :)

[pailiti]

@cluelessrachel If you read his Wikipedia article, you'll see he's gay. :(

Why is it always the hot ones...

[flippadeal]

@pailiti or the ones full of self esteem

[YummieYami]

@cluelessrachel AMEN AMEN! Only, can we share him maybe? Please? ^_____^

[mjb787]

Every time I look at this video (which is often) I wonder how it must feel to be so freaking talented and charming. Why doesn't this sexy powerhouse have a Tony?

[AngelOfMusic144]

because david hyde pierce stole it from him.

:[ he's such a wonderful actor, with a wonderful voice...ahhhhh ^_^ geez he's wonderful

[crashbuist]

@mjb787 Because he was jewed after company.

[corsairstw]

sheer perfection.

[mcbarnumphan]

I also have the Original London Cast recording and DVD with Michael Crawford...AMAZING!

[keithkaky]

Every time i watch this I smile. If he were any more charming and talented I'd paint myself red and walk the streets naked. WHEN will this boy record an album?!

[Hoppusisgod]

Why are there no fricken recordings of this anywhere, i've looked everywere, i can't even find the sheet music.....Raul is still amazing at least

[Splurge24]

i have the jime dale recording from the OBC

[mcbarnumphan]

Not bad at all. I've seen Jim Dale on Broadway and I would probably rate Raul right behind him. Best Barnum would probably still be Michael Crawford. Raul and Michael both nice guys off stage and saw Raul in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" on Broadway and enjoyed him very much in that. After watching MC in Barnum on DVD Michael blew me out of the water. MC won an Olivier award and played it for 3 yrs on the West End. A magazine said it rivaled the ALW shows in box office at the time.

[JoshiesJem]

Even my little sister, who is as skeptical about anything that's not Iron Maiden, said that Raul is really good in this. Why no Tony?

[rugez]

Raul=amazing

[sally1112]

Raul is one of the greatest talents currently out there.

Why no Tony yet??

[raulesparzalove]

*dies* He rules the world.

[groundsofbklyn]

He is priceless. I can't even stand how much I love him.

[thecoch50]

he is amazing.

[ilovevocab]

Anyone who brings Raul into my life deserves to be nominated for sainthood.

[flapintapper]

do you have any other videos from this broadway under the stars? and could u put them up?

[evitaperon88]

They should revive this with Raul as Barnum.

He is fab!

[merrhurr357]

totally agree!!! :D

[Jessabellany2]

God could he get cuter?

[ilovevocab]

Absolutley not. If he got even a little cuter I think the world would implode. It is almost unfair. He is taking all the cute. There is no hope for anyone else.

[HilarySwankfan24]

I <3 Raul so much! He is AMAZING!

[markkklol]

The energy that he brings to the stage without being over-the-top is extraordinary. I wish he got the Tony.

[VoteLiberty]

Raul, among a small group of friends, was my best friend as a kid in Miami, FL. When our parents divorced & our dad took custody of 4 kids, Raul & his parents, friends w/my mom, basically disappeared. I sensed his talent even then. I always wished I could've resumed my friendship with him & hated that divorce even more. Raul deserves success & so much more for following his dream. Good luck, Raul! While you eat that big apple, I'll clean the big toilet a few hundred miles south of you. : )

[keithkaky]

What a talented boy! And what a cuties!

[rainbowspotter]

He's good. I never new he could sing. I love this show, and this song. I need the cd with Michael Crawford in it *smiles* He's good too.

[9056925324]

GREAT!!!!

[kittyll1]

He has such a presence on stage. it's just amazing. i could never get tired of him.

[blackpython]

Raul Esparza is just generally amazing.

[StephanieLin]

We're doing this play for school and I wasn't really into it, til I saw this clip. We watched the Michael Crawford version, but this just blows it out of the water. Our lead should watch this video >.>

[jazzgirl83]

Loved it!

[LaylaGoldstar]

Fun!!

[hooraytheweird]

He's such a freaking god. I LOVE this man! If anyone's seen him do Rocky Horror it's completely SHOCKING. He SCREAMS his song out every night.

[Splurge24]

I see there is a lot of Raul love going around. That's sweet, but BACK OFF ho's. HE'S MINE!!

[blackavarbunnie]

...I used to hate this play. Until just now. Oh wow.

[wickedfeylady]

He freakin' kicks ass. Only human alive besides Jim Dale who can properly do the song.

[GeraldR5]

Great, absolutely great. Esparza is no Jim Dale, but he's awfully good :)

[6rservices]

He brings it! Love it.

[frostypup]

He is so amazing and he always has that rasp in his voice...I dont know how he does that without killing his chords.

[frostypup]

Raul needs his own TV show...I take that back...his own TV station

[WildQueenie]

Screw that, he deserves to have a whole theatre program to himself, the new broadway, constantly starring Raul. He's too amazing to even be human!

[InTaberna]

I LOVE this performance. Thanks for uploading it!

[LilNickyG]

...Why can't I BE him?

[Thegoodscript]

My god. Amazing. Just purely amazing. I'd watch him do anything.

[garotabluejeans]

He is so yami that hurts...

[corsairstw]

I just sang this song for a "Chicago" audition at my school. I got the idea from this video! Raùl does it infinitely better than me though ;)

[cserannie]

he is just PERFECT

[snl89]

holy crap. Okay, this man is SOOOOOOO crazy talented it is insane. Who else could do this kind of music flawlessly one minute, then go and do Tick Tick Boom or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the next!? it is just... insane. There is litterally not a SINGLE thing he can't do I dont think! and um... he's a total and complete sweetheart too!! like, extraordinarily nice at stage doors! He's so down to earth you'd never guess he's like.. one of the most talented people EVER. haha

[PeachesCat]

Who has a better voice than Raul?

[Thegoodscript]

Norbert Leo Butz and Manoel Feliciano tie with him.

[cserannie]

and also Brian D'arcy James and Brian Stokes Mitchell but Raúl is the cutest.

[blackpython]

Eh, I think Norbie and Raul beat Mano.

[snl891]

Norbert I'll def agree with, because clearly Norbert and Raul and Gavin Creel have my very favorite voices on this PLANET, and the others mentioned def aren't far behind :) but um, after seeing Company/Raul doing Being Alive feet in front of me yesterday, I'm thinking Raul may have even moved up a notch in my book... which basically makes him the most talented person I've ever known of :P

[auroranyc]

Oh, bliss. What a voice! What charisma! What a song! Thank you so much for sharing this!

[corsairstw]

He's very good.

[gillygalls]

only Raúl could make that song effing sexy with his little hip wiggle, lol!

[Pixeedusst25]

Is there anything that this man can't sing

[bohemiankate]

What a fantastic performer.

[lekim23]

Raul = my life

[agdb721]

what can i say i love raul.