Raul Esparza - Finishing the Hat

[elgozador]

The vibrato is forced and odd. It sounds like a male voice trying to use a more female style close vibrato (like a man trying to sound like Bernadette Peters).

[megan132]

@elgozador you dont force vibrato...its the way the air hits your vocal chords. a forced note would usually be a long straight tone.

[elgozador]

Raul Esparza the best? Blech. Far from it.  He does the job, but I would never go to his concert or buy his album.

[90lysander]

I used not to like his interpretation of this song. I'm not sure why. Of course Mandy Patinkin is untouchable in this role -- his very best, ever -- but Raul is fearless here, especially near the end.

[onesongofglory]

@perfectlymarvelous I am a huge Hyde Pierce fan but there is no question that Raul Esparza deserved that tony.

[TheDoctorOfOdd]

Raul Esparza is by far the best performer in musical theater. What he has done to expand my views on the art form and give me faith in the theater at large... I haven't the words to thank him.

[DurwardMatt]

I used to think that no one could hold a candle to Mandy Patinkin.....but this guy rocks the song, he really really does

[ythc11]

So human and beautiful. Love it

[redsteelchair]

He's perfect.

[bryceep]

I never realized how good he really is until I tried singing this song for class.

[InspectorKaramazov]

Wow.

that is all. This man is gorgeous.

[bluejupiter100]

lousy bootleg video. brilliant interpretation of the song. thanks for posting. shaky sound or not, it still works for me.

[KevCantStop]

I fucking love both him and Mandy Patinkin as George =D

[MuzzyBarker]

I know it's not on purpose, but I love how the pixels come together before the song starts...like in the hat.

[klyde4parliament]

Man it is hard to compete with Mandy Patinkin's George. I love Esparza, but I will remember him better as Robert from Company. (An incredible performance)

[FoggyRoad81]

It slays me that the broadway going public can not hear the difference between a natural sounding voice and this manufactured faux Many Pantinkon immitation. He doesn't sing on the breath, so he shouts through lines like "kind of woman willing to wait" instead of singing them. Its also why he goes randomly sharp alot, he doesn't know anything about singing from the diaphragm. There is no way he works with a vocal coach. You can see the strain in his neck, the weird posture, horrid.

[bobbyrooney]

@FoggyRoad81 yeah, you can tell how horrible he is, the way he stars on broadway all the time. obv no talent, right!

[l33tpwnzord]

+1 if you're here because of Stephen Colbert

[klmnumbers]

I like Raul, but I don't love his voice for this part. It's either too scoopy/poppy which seems inappropriate given the time period for act or it's too speech-like. I know Sondheim likes speech-like lines, however. But just for my personal taste - I love the lyricism of this song and would like to hear the lines a bit more.

However, when he backs off and just has those soft falsetto bits on "window" - it's quite beautiful.

[UselessTrivia]

@klmnumbers i agree. i worship at the temple of Raul, but his voice is better suited to other types of music.

[geneimperfect]

He is the most beautiful tenor on Broadway today... and he is so versatile it is unreal. The man can do ANYTHING.

[samiam1432]

Raul is SO. OVERRATED.

[mysterywhiteboy41]

@samiam1432 Check him out live...he's just a wonder to see. His voice is terribly inappropriate for sondheim...but his acting and presence more than makes up for it.

[ILOVEPASSINGSTRANGE]

I cannot stop listening to this

Voice of an angel

HE IS SOOO HOT AND SO TALENTED

I love Raul

[klyde4parliament]

It's just impossible to compare anyone to Mandy in this role, especially in such a poor recording as this. Patinkin is such a formidable vocal talent, that is seems unfair to make any comment about Esparza without seeing some of his acting in this role (since Esparza's strength is in the delivery of dialogue bolstered by his solid singing voice). I will always enjoy Mandy's George, and am loathe to compare it to anything else.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

I do like Esparza, but this is really not the role for him.

"Finishing the Hat" is a song about blame -- George is blaming Dot for their failed relationship because she should have known what she was getting into when she first got involved with him, and if she can't accept that his art comes first, then so be it. He is making excuses, and he probably doesn't believe some of what he's saying.

I don't get ANY of that in Esparza's performance. And the quasi-accent was hideous.

[PepScootProductions]

The song is hardly about blame. The song is about intent and cutting yourself off from those things you want in order to do what needs to be done. In this case, finishing the hat. Sure he resents Dot's decision, but the song is not him brooding about her. It is telling himself what he needs to do.

[epetillo91]

I actually really like this for some, I know that his technique needs some work (rumor has it that he blew his voice out doing "Company") but I feel that his voice adds a depth and emotion to this song that wasn't there for Daniel Evan's performance (even though I was a fan of that performance I just like this version of "Hat" better)

[humbugfoto1]

He did not blow his voice out doing Company. In fact, he's singing better than ever. Search youtube for the most recent uploads under his name and you'll find performances from just last week at Miscast and Broadway Bares 5. Look for The Man That Got Away and Talk Amongst Yourselves. He's singing much better than he was four, six or more years ago.

[m2prod]

Some things he does really well... this isn't one of them. His Bobby in "Company" was okay but could probably have been better in a production that wasn't so cold and bizarre. Besides, Dean Jones was a hard act to follow. His Charlie in "Merrily" still remains flawless, even better than Chip Zien.

[pudgeuncle]

@m2prod Dean Jones hard to follow? He was only in the show for 2 weeks on Broadway and immediately replaced by Larry Kert who sang it MUCH better. Do your homework before posting.

[m2prod]

@pudgeuncle Do my homework? You assume a lot. I am fully aware that Dean Jones left "Company" right after the original cast album was recorded. That does not, in any way, change my opinion about his incredible performance. I am also convinced that the emotion that he achieved in the role was somewhat due to the horrible marital breakup he was going through at the time. If you look at the YouTube footage of Dean Jones recording "Being Alive", I think you'll see something pretty special.

[berowne9]

I'm not THAT picky about voices, but the amount of adoring comments above mystifies me. Esparza is decent, at best, in his interpretation, and the song is just beyond his ability, vocally. He pushes a lot, and it's a little uncomfortable to listen to. Patinkin (if we're comparing them) has the clear edge in technique, and (maybe less clearly, but still definitively) the edge in interpretation. His "Hat" is sublime. This is merely passable.

[encorebc]

This is pretty awful.

I really adore Raul Esparza and his work, but damn...

[flammajamma101]

whats so bad about it

[TJisRad]

I do enjoy this, but I adore Mandy. I'm such a huge fan of him.

[wardf90]

I never would have thought of Raul as a George, but I actually quite liked this. I prefer Mandy's, but I wonder if Mandy could have carried off Bobby as well as Raul did?

[Csonker19]

I don't think Mandy would have made a good Bobby and here's why... Mandy doesn't connect well with those who share the stage with him. It's part of what made him such a damn good George, but Bobby I think needs to be really connected with his friends.

[henrysvg]

Yeah, Mandy just isn't the actor that Raul is. He's an excellent vocalist but a tad hammy.

[chcknpie04]

I disagree. I think mandy is an amazing actor. Have you seen Dead Like Me? Ttotally not hammy. Quite understated actually.

[morph628]

What an interesting comment. It makes me pause for thought.

[kwgybo345]

you want to know what Mandy would be like vocally, listen to the album " Sings Sondheim

[fortunateizzi]

it's just hard to picture anyone besides mandy as george because he was the original and he just seemed to really BE george. honestly i saw daniel evans on broadway and i'm sure he's a fine actor, but i didn't like him as george. he was too effeminate, there wasn't any chemistry between dot and him. i've only seen this clip of raul in sunday, but i suspect there may have been a similar problem.

[bruinway]

Thank you for posting any and all things Raul. His versions are worth a listen! THANKS!

[ediebouvierbeale]

Raul is awful. His performances absolutely nauseate me, except tick...tick...boom! but what he did to Bobby in Company was murder. And now poor George Seurat.

[Krulte]

Are you kidding me?

He was wonderful in Company!!! My mother has studied Sondheim and even she says he's wonderful.

[ediebouvierbeale]

That's dandy for your mommy, but I've studied Sondheim too and his Bobby was cold as ice. No humor. No humanity. His vocals were pleasing enough, except for a few notes in "Someone is Waiting" and "Barcelona", but his acting was wayyyyyyyy too frigid. As for his George, he should not be allowed near this show again. Mandy Patinkin defined this role and Daniel Evans recreated it, but Raul Esparza in this video is making it nasal and bland.

[Krulte]

I didn't see him as George, so I won't discuss that, but I don't agree with you on the Bobby thing, I thought he was really funny, maybe not so warm, but not "as cold as ice"!!!!!!!

[truverdigirl]

I'm sorry but are you kidding me? His portrayal of Bobby was spot on perfect. Company is about New York society and New York sensibility. Our humor is dry, wry and witty. I'm sorry you weren't able to identify with it, but we were rolling in the aisles... when we weren't crying our eyes out.

As for this George, it didn't really do it for me, but he does so many other things well...

[UselessTrivia]

I agree, i think Raul is amazing...but George is not the role for him. He seems to polished and comfortable. George should be drawn-in and uncomfortable.

[Phd12741]

Amazing, particularly the jumps to the high notes. I've heard Raul Esparza, Mandy Patinkin, and Daniel Evans do this song brilliantly. I want to hear Phillip Quast do this song.

[bohemiawelcumsyou]

Raul is amazing. I'm not sure how I feel about him playing Georges, he's a sublime actor but I think he seems to connected and not alienated and buried in his work. His voice is a lot stronger than Patinkin's, who I also adore.

He's a great actor, maybe not his best role though.

[BroadwayVBtime]

I agree, but im not sure about his voice being stronger than mandys...mandy had much better controll over his vibrato

[musiccat]

I love this.

Im not a fan of raul with facial hair. I mean i know this is a role but like for a while he had a beard and everything. he kinda looks like Daniel Day Lewis!

[SweeneyHyde]

I like Mandy Patankin and Danniel Evans better...I love Raul but I just wasn't moved by his rendition like I was with the others.

[TheNaturalDisasters]

that was just wow.

[ieatglue44]

Holy shit.  I love it when he just opens up at 2:03.

[doomveg]

was this song written with mandy patankin in mind? it really sounds like it. but i think raul esparza does really well.

[blibbletyblop]

Although I prefer Raul's voice, Mandy really seemed like an insane artist who would push everyone away. Type-casting?

[Orfflevel2]

Daniel Evans on broadway is really superb in this role. Raul Esparza seems more human in the role than Mandy Patinkin. Not a fervent Patinkin fan.

[JennaLeighhh]

I see what you mean, but George is not exactly human to us, because he cares more about his paintings and sees more beauty in nature than he does in humans. It is not until act 2 that George changes; and that is a completely different George (but the same actor). Daniel Evans as well did a supurb job, but sunday in the park with george was written for patinkin.

[Rybalicious]

To be honest I really like Mandy Patinkin being George much better. I just feel that Mandy brought something extra special and I don't feel that Raul did that. I don't know maybe it's his vibrato. It always did kinda bug me. But that's what makes him unique so he should keep it.

[musicislovex0]

ahh i love his voice. it's so beautiful!

[olddeudynku]

Just like Sondheim says in this musical maybe yes its been done before, but it was done by him. I think that makes it OK. He innovated this style.

[lightscameraaction24]

Great performance, but the song sounds exactly like Sondheim's Into the Woods, especially during the chorus (Finishing the hat etc.)

[bluebettle]

The guy is so prolific, that I can't blame him for repeating himself every now and then, but I noticed that the chorus of "The Ballad of Guitiu" sounds exactly like "Comedy Tonight" and "Anyone Can Whistle" also sounds a lot like one of the songs from Into the Woods.

[lightscameraaction24]

yea you're right, all composers take from themselves (and others). if you listen to Defying Gravity, its the backwards chord progression of corner of the sky from pippin (schwartz)

[bluebettle]

Also? "Send in the Clowns" sounds EXACTLY like Sir Mix-Alot's "Baby Got Back"

[defyinggravity319]

how the heck does "send in the clowns" sound like that?

[bluebettle]

I'm joking.

[bluebettle]

Also? "Send in the Clowns" sounds EXACTLY like Sir Mix-Alot's "Baby Got Back"

[JennaLeighhh]

its not that hes repeating himself, its sondheims style.

[jrr4media]

Actually, I don't like this performance. Raul Esparza seems to force some expressions here and there. Mandy Patinkin's performance seems more consistent and believable.

[LukeWehner]

No one commits to a role they Raul does. inspiring.

[Awakening127]

Nobody can match Mandy, but Raul comes closer than anyone else I've seen.

[uberwekkness]

He seems too happy to me. This isn't at all a cheerful song, and he's just... too upbeat. He has a wonderful sound (not as good as Mandy Patinkin's, in my opinion. Mandy, I thought, had a certain way with the song that made it sound so much more natural and heartfelt...). I wouldn't say he's the best George, but he's definitely got a great voice.

[LukeWehner]

Raul actually seems more human here to me then Patinkin ever did. I get blasted for it, but I'm just not a Mandy fan. He was always too... hammy?

[uberwekkness]

Yeah, there were moments in that show where he seemed kind of awkward, but I just prefer his performance of this particular song over this guy.

And -6? Jeez, people, I just gave my opinion. I DO think he has a good voice, but it's not like I'm a raving Patinkin-fan lunatic or anything. Lighten up.

[bryceep]

Mandy was just a different interpretation of the character. He was more controlled, and trying to concentrate on his work, which made it powerful when he had emotional outbursts throughout the song. I like Raul's vulnerability, though. They both have great voices, but I think Raul's voice has always been kind of forced, however I think he really feels the music.

[ITCJon]

But eight months ago, when I posrted he HAD NOT WON ONE!

[grinaldi]

Don't let hannjohn bully you around. He does NOT have a Tony. And, yes, it is a tragedy.

[dlefs]

it slays me to think that this man has no tony

[oscarphile]

@dlefs

His time will come.

[Kris1907]

Its not bad. I am a big RE fan and a bigger Sunday fan. Its hard for me because Mandy Patinkin put a signature sound to this song that it is hard to like any other versions. But I saw RE at Kennedy do this and he did a very nice job with the role, the best since Mandy.

[lelila2006]

This, this performance of this song, is one of my favorite musical theater moments ever. That voice. That interpretation. I can't stop listening to this.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Where is this man's Tony? Oh right, David Hyde Pierce has it...

[NHerbst112]

@perfectlymarvelous you have no idea how sad/happy your comment just made me

[NHerbst112]

@perfectlymarvelous well played sir or madam. i modeled my 15 year old self after this man. Misson: do a show along side Raul Esparza

[Jessabellany2]

Im sorry I dont think its possiable for Him to phone to it in...

[tadwinkle]

First of all...this was DHP first Tony AND nomination. Second, I was at every performance of this SITPWG at Kennedy Center. BRILLIANT. That is all I have to say about that!

[fishdancer23]

RE invests so much in his performances, and his voice is so superb. He deserves much more fame. I'll be so disappointed if he doesn't get the Tony this year. Thank you for posting this.

[ITCJon]

David Hyde Pierce did not win a Tony.

[hannjohn1]

Yes he did.

[Yeldar]

He's got all the buzz. "Curtains" isn't going well, and David Hyde Pierce just won a couple of years ago. Unless someone comes out of the woodwork in "Legally Blond" or upsets via "Spring Awakening," or "110 in the Shade" - or if, for some reason, "ACL" gets it, Raul's the one to beat for the musical actor Tony. And then the show will likely peter out over the summer.

[drewski67]

He's way overdue for a Tony. Could this be his year??

[VERACHARLES]

Evidently not.

[corsairstw]

It's funny to see him in the beard, but he pulls it off very well and does an amazing job in this role.

[BadBoy117007]

i LOVE his pronunciation while singing!!! he's so friggin' amazing!!!

[bbrielle]

I wish Esparza performed George this well when I saw this production. Sadly, the night I saw the show he phoned it in.

[SpencerTheTerrible]

Holy. Crap.

Amazing.

[mmmaph]

ok Raul Esparza is, in a word, amazing. I have seen Company twice and let me tell you that he is going to be up for a Tony. His Marry Me a Little and Being Alive are breathtaking. He must have been an amazing George!

[ablativeabsolute]

I keep watching this.

Amaaazing.

[langelic1]

I actually saw this live, and it was even more amazing. I love Raul (and Melissa was wonderful, too!). You don't have any other clips, do you?

[gillygalls]

You are my hero!!!

[naetrews]

Oh my goodness! My favorite musical with one of my favorite performers in the lead! You wouldn't happen to have any more clips of Raul as George, would you? Thanks a million!

[gustof777]

He is so amazing. I cannot wait for Company!! I really hope that he gets the chance to do George again b/c he is just stunning in this production. Thanks for posting

[hokieashleyt]

His Bobby in Company is even more stunning. :)

[CharlesNewson]

@hokieashleyt OMG I KNOW!!!!!!!! SOOOOOOOO GOOOODDDD!!!!!!!!!

lol. i'm replying to a 4 year old post.hehe.