Ask a Star: Raul Esparza of "Leap of Faith" "Company" "tick, tick...BOOM!" & More

Get tickets to "Leap of Faith": www.broadway.com/shows/leap-fa...
For a very special bilingual episode of Ask a Star, Cuban-American stage veteran Raúl Esparza bared his heart and his feet on Broadway.com's couch to dish the dirt about his illustrious career that has included Tony-nominated performances in "Taboo," "Company," "The Homecoming" and "Speed-the-Plow." The star took a break from his current gig as Jonas Nightingale, a razzle-dazzle con artist trading miracles for money, in "Leap of Faith" to answer fans' burning questions. Highlights include why the church of Raúl Esparza would preach "The Gospel of Miami Beach," the role he is dying to play opposite his "Pushing Daisies" co-star Kristin Chenoweth and his soft spot for psychos, "Sweeney Todd" and Sauvignon Blanc. The actor also opens up about the day he would quit show business, reveals what he would devour for his last meal on earth and sheds a tear remembering his favorite performance of all time.

[@SoICanComment163]

When he couldn't possibly be more attractive he whips out his Cuban roots and OH THAT SPANISH!

[@Casutama]

I have regularly told people I'm close with if I had to choose between Spanish or Italian (when it comes to "languages that make my heartbeat do wonky, probably dangerous things"), I would choose Italian every day of the week. I think I might need to reevaluate this opinion.

[@umbullett1488]

I'm so used to seeing him as Barba wearing three piece suits and being all refined. It's so odd to see him in jeans with bare feet. I kinda love it.

[@YOYOKE64]

Sharp suit but Shirt and ties alway clashed

[@Sissymosier]

@@YOYOKE64 excuse you!

[@jamiechapman4874]

@@YOYOKE64 his characters clothing always matched!

[@BTSonBroadway]

fuck when he speaks in spanish i melt

[@flamingowen]

so charming. it depresses the hell out of me that I am not married or in a relationship with this man. sigh

[@alexiamcdaniel1562]

Nan Bollinger 👌🏻😪😔

[@daniellejohnson6116]

Nan Bollinger I met him once

[@lauran8968]

dude same

[@Filayevna]

This comment feels like it is attacking me on a very personal level. That is all.

[@maryhtrask4321]

You know he’s bisexual

[@Windrunner007]

Raúl as Sweeney Todd would literally kill me. I know what the word "literally" means. It would literally kill me.

[@umbullett1488]

Hard to believe this is the guy who got choked with a belt I'm his first episode of SVU

[@ccsakura90]

omg yes youre right

[@trindog5843]

I know it's so strange he's so different from barba

[@NB79032]

You don't think either Raul or Barba have kinks? Lol. Cuz I'm gunna guess they both do.

[@profviral]

​@@NB79032​​ If Barba is bi, with either sexes he's into orgasm control and exhibitionism. With some men I'm gonna guess he's into D/S as a power bottom; his goading of Adam in "Twenty-Five Acts" come off as power bottom who knows how to piss off a dominant top 😂 Raúl sounds like he'd be entirely open to gender bending and sexual roleplay.

[@tierrawhitley8268]

It's unhealthy how in love with this man I am. Whether on Law and Order: SVU or in musicals, he perfects his characters and puts on a show and I just love it so much.

[@anniebunny722]

I'm still waiting for the day that he sings as Barba on Law & Order: SVU :)

[@kimmysan12]

YASSSSS!!!!!!

[@rosemarycrafting1202]

now I'm going to go pray to the SVU gods for this blessed idea

[@flamingowen]

yea. it's kind of nice that he doesn't though because it's not his character, you know?

[@rosemarycrafting1202]

i agree, barba is far too serious to do that. but i can see two instances of this happening: He needs a court demonstration(I've heard of lawyers twerking in court to make a point irl so it is a possibility) or barba drinks a little too much of that scotch of his and starts acting like 3:07 - 3:08

[@flamingowen]

Rosemary Crafting you've given this a lot of thought : ) those are two really good opportunities for him to sing. I first saw him on law and order and thought he was gorgeous and interesting so I looked him up and was shocked to see that he was a singer, dancer, etc. what a load of talent he has. it's kind of interesting that he just acts on law and order and those other parts of his personality (probably the biggest parts/theatre stuff) are totally hidden. I find this kind of fascinating but I totally get where you are coming from, too. i bet a lot of people watching on law and order who heard him sing on that show would be like wtf?!!!! just like i was when i first heard it.

[@Slapmybabushka]

It's 4:30 in the morning and Raul Esparza tells me to get off the internet. I'm somewhere between wanting to blindly obey his every command and wanting to watch another thousand videos of him.

[@Slapmybabushka]

+some guy Oh, trust me, I did. I still do. I will again. I have no shame.

[@flamingowen]

obey him and then start again fresh on a new day. pace yourself love!!!

[@gabbyburton1999]

41 year olds aren't allowed to be adorable to 18 year olds, stop this, stop being cute.

[@pavan1973]

I am smitten as hell. Seeing this for the 12-13th time but cannot get enough of him. Came to know him as Barba first and was totally bowled over by his Broadway performances. Brilliant and very very talented. I hope he gets to do similar roles on Telly as well...

[@hospitalgal101]

This man is so real, I'm legit crying after his Company speech

[@sweetieluver14]

His face melts my heart but when he speaks Spanish, hell fucking yeh!

[@flamingowen]

god he has a beautiful speaking voice also. and I love how he says all the names of the people who have asked questions. 7:33 he gets really emotional. sigh. soo good

[@af1ershock139]

Lin needs to make a musical with Esparza as the lead. That’d be amazing!

[@FallenAziraphale]

Ugh Raul is ADORABLE and I love everything about him! I'm 27, but I would marry the hell out of this man! Seriously, Raul , marry me!

[@lol_absolutelynot]

i'm in love.

[@flamingowen]

get in line

[@lol_absolutelynot]

Nan Bollinger i got a folding chair and a sleeping bag....i'm in line

[@flamingowen]

Xiomara Greene hehe. yea, I think we're going to be out here for awhile.

[@lol_absolutelynot]

Nan Bollinger I've got popcorn and mimosas, join me haha

[@daniellejohnson6116]

Xiomara Vasquez I'm in love with him too lol 😂

[@edyoung2621]

He's just so genuine and just a normal human being. And fame dosent seem like it's changed him one bit. He seems like the person you just want to be your best friend because you know he always has your back, but will be real with you. And he would make you laugh so hard.

[@EruvieBruinen]

He is so adorable!! I am obsessed wit him. Just siting here, smiling like an idiot watching him talk. And... yeah.... I wave him back... Too cute this man, too cute.

[@mowelin]

My boyfriend knows that if Raul wanted to have a night of passion with me, I'd have to say yes.

[@daniellejohnson6116]

Choreocrat I'd say yes I'd do anything for him... I actually met him once and he gave me a kiss on the cheek I was totally star-struck

[@LaraVKH]

@@daniellejohnson6116 omg how cute ;-;

[@rosemarycrafting1202]

When your mom, dad, and sister all tell you to go to bed, and you don't but at 4am he tells me to get off the internet I'm all like " well it looks like I'm done here must obey good nigh Raul"😂

[@iwasmith7289]

"everything hurts, and i'm 41, soo"

[@721rena]

He's 41? I normally don't like older men but he's the most adorable endearing 41 year old I've ever seen! His personality soooo cuuuuute

[@lidpl6549]

@@721rena Sorry but actually he's 48. He was born on oct/24/1970.

[@hihi5818]

@@lidpl6549 I think they meant in the clip....

[@carolinaquirozr354]

Watching this again almost 9 years ago... I still feel chills when my question pops up, thinking about how I was sure by that time that I will never see him live... getting the visa rejected three times... and now I've seen him two times and talked to him once... wow...

[@ggfanjase]

I love how relaxed and chilled he seemed. Bare feet, jeans and all.

[@FailingDreamersInc]

He is a gift to the world

[@cdac1995]

There is so much cuteness in this video!! He is ADORABLE!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

[@maricimo]

That performance of Company he's talking about... There's a bootleg of it getting around and I'm pretty sure I actually cried a little when he finished Being Alive. HE looks so emotional. And then the audience legit applauds for about 4 minutes which is an insanely long time. And then he did this beautiful speech when they come out after their final bows and everyone's crying and it's such a beautiful, touching moment.

[@jessica23claire]

:O THERE IS?? WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT HOOK A GIRL UP!

[@toohache]

I fell in love with this man on SVU... and I thought what a man what a personality and how sexy is he....then I found out he's a Broadway star and I was just ...so amazed of how talented he is...Cabaret Evita Leap of faith Company I am in awe of him. I want to have his child 🤓😉

[@henryettakidd4641]

It would be a shame if Raul doesn't have a son to pass on all this talent !

[@kamischloss4658]

I think I've watched this video about.......100,000,000 TIMES!!!! GOD HELP ME!!!! WHY IS HE SO DAMN GORGEOUS!!!!

[@flamingowen]

seriously, I think it's his eyes and his intelligence and his personality and his talent and his playfulness and his openness and his body; also, he appears to be down to earth, he's funny, he seems vulnerable and sexy as hell. oh, and I think his passion... really, he's just got in going on.

[@alexiamcdaniel1562]

Kami Schloss there's a video called "Raul Esparza hot and sassy" . Omg you should watch it 😩❤️💞

[@kamischloss4658]

Alexia McDaniel I know! 😍 drop dead. Gorgeous!!

[@3DGloverAARfan]

he is so cute it's not fair ugh

[@elmtree9951]

Him changing positions after every question is me literally anywhere.

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

He's wonderful. That he isn't a huge star says something about our culture.

[@kirayagami3031]

I originally saw him on Law & Order SVU and he was definitely the star of the show in my opinion. The show was never the same after he left. I’ll have to check out his Broadway stuff just to see more of him.

[@CHERRYK1LOSS]

this video got me SHOOK hunny omg he looks so good bye

He is handsome from head to toes, literally. Even his feet are sexy.

[@Ptrich]

I wish Raul would release a CD and do it in Spanish. Especially if he'd sing La Gloria Eres Tu. There is a clip of him singing La Gloria on line and he really delivers it they way it was intended to be delivered.

[@hospitalgal101]

I love him. He is beautiful. That is all.

[@cuteONE22]

Beautiful, talented, intelligent, and funny. The real deal

[@hospitalgal101]

Also, ot turns out pretty much every broadway actor I'm attracted to is gay...so sucks for me

[@cuteONE22]

+Naomi McIlvaine first of all, duh!! 😂😂 what did you expect Second, actually rumors say that he is bisexual, so there is still hope 😉

[@hospitalgal101]

I know!!! Well, I suppose that is hope. Though Adam Pascal and Ramin Karimloo are straight, maybe I'll try one of them :D

[@flamingowen]

yea, I know. he might be with a woman though. I think he might have a little hetro left in him.. let's hope

[@eviesilva6946]

I've already watched this a thousand times and can never get tired of it, this interview always cheers me up, he seems to be such a nice, friendly and captivating person. And of course, a brilliant actor on stage and tv. By the way, Raúl you are totally right, lechon con moros y maduros is a really delicious food.

[@lagurl1997]

He is gorgeous, talented beyond anyone's imagination, his smile and voice can melt the planet with its hotness - but what I like the most about him is his vulnerability. I swear I saw someone else write that it seems like he has a sad/sensitive soul - and I feel exactly the same, like he sees YOU when he speaks to you in person.

[@rebeccacutino3356]

What a beautiful human being

[@taylorluvr]

I shamelessly replayed him speaking Spanish about a million times

[@GeniTLK]

I didn't know I was already part of the church of Raul Esparza lmao good He has such a cliche fav cuban food I already love him

[@jeffwatkins352]

He really pinpoints it. That's why I quit acting. I was never worried before going on. Never had a moment of stage fright. That so remarkable a talent as Raul should always have that is another testament to his remarkable talent.

[@IlaughedIcried]

First of all, this is a gem. Second, I love Raul so freaking much. Third, he HAS TO PLAY SWEENEY!!!!! Someone needs to GET ON THIS! He is MADE for that role!!!

[@annad4493]

Raul is def my fav actor, hes such a cutie

[@fairlyadorablepancreas3746]

He has such an impish smile, oh my! 💓

[@brittnyann798]

Raul Esparza has spoken. No more internet for me lol

[@lexxierowell]

GOD I WOULD, IN FACT, DIE FOR THIS MAN

[@annabananabones08]

I have an earth ending crush on this man

[@umbullett1488]

He's so adorable!

[@unnatural6edq]

He's just beautiful, inside and out!!

[@harperjin72]

I love Raúl. This man is adorable

[@rstrajt9220]

If you see an actor in different roles, and you know it's the same person but they are so different that you have to stretch your brain to recognize them as the same person, then you know it is an awesome actor.

[@lauran8968]

I have seen so many different videos of this man. I love everything he does, he's magnificent. Y su acento cubano me encanta!!

[@voxextremos22]

He's very ADD and it's great because he just seems so cool

[@marieostrout9464]

So glad I'm not alone. My family thinks I'm the only one obsessed with this adorable creature!!!! Can't wait to show them these comments😀

[@UselessRambling]

9:53 to 10:02, so cuuute! I giggled

[@dilfs.9196]

I NEED to like this comment a million times but I cannot.

[@nickityler8685]

I literally squealed

[@clarice6355]

I can TOTALLY see him as Sweeney and he'd terrify the shit out of everyone. Looking forward to seeing if he can outdo Johnny Depp's Sweeney.

[@amayajones68]

I’m interested in this.

[@19ccj65]

Raul Esparza is so talented, I wish him continued success.

[@kalesrebecca6250]

I've only seen him in svu and omg it's weird seeing him not in a suit lol

[@kellyalves756]

kales rebecca He probably didn’t bother to change after rehearsal, because This Show Was Kicking His Ass. I want that on a t-shirt.

[@thefandomqueen88]

5:45 this is my favorite part of the video 😂😂😂😂

[@teamcoco1]

3:56 Cutest part ever

[@ForTheWitches]

he is so adorable oh maan

[@daniellashah7995]

Awww he is great I love him

[@daniellejohnson6116]

Oh my god I absolutely love you Raul Esparza ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@bbmco1969]

I love this man

[@alexism7885]

So I looked his favorite Cuban food up... it looks delicious and now I know why it's his favorite food because it simply looks delicious

[@lexellcassini]

Great to know Raul a little (much) more... and my question is there!!! *running in circles fangirling (since friday)*

[@musicalfool]

I adore him, always have. This video makes me adore him 1000 times more. I MUST work with him now!

[@ColleenCM1124]

"...in a foreign language....*sip*" Good self awareness *swoon*

[@andywood8776]

The first time I watched this it was 12:30 in the morning, that ending it just.. what! This guys the best.

[@samseleznow3430]

I want to be him when I'm older

[@daniellejohnson6116]

Sam Seleznow I want to be just like Coco Austin ( Ice T's wife ) ♥️

[@AriGateooo]

LET ME LOVE YOU LET ME LOVE YOU LET ME LOVE YOU

[@flamingowen]

yea, there are a few of us that feel that way. frustrating aint it?

[@noombs1]

Love this man. Talented and funny. Who could ask for more.

[@debmorton3310]

I just want to hug him.

[@thefandomqueen88]

This amazes me that this was nearly eight years ago...

[@romipepu]

This man is so gorgeous 😍

[@Sissymosier]

I've watched this for the millionth time he's so adorable and down to earth and he's adorable also barefoot

[@kdeloris2225]

I love him❤️❤️❤️

[@geraldinerichards3140]

Soooo good, love it

[@xLisasLifestyle]

I love him ♡😅

[@teeniebeenie8774]

looooooooooooooooove him brilliant

[@AsianUnknown13]

“You might be watching this late at night...get off the internet”... HOW DID HE KNOW I WAS WATCHING THIS LATE AT NIGHT?! 😂

[@estelamarisresende3946]

Adoro,admiro muito, amo o Raúl Esparza cantando e interpretando RAFAEL BARBA, em LAW & ORDER....

[@GeorgiaUnity]

Raul, it's not fair; gorgeous, talented beyond compare, funny, witty, and brilliant! Glad to see you getting so much more exposure now! (Can't wait for 'Hannibal'!)

[@amberwimer3961]

I Don't Want 2 Make Anyone Jealous, But I Actually Met Him!

[@kellyalves756]

Amber Wimer squeeee!

[@daniellejohnson6116]

He's a really gorgeous man and a really nice guy

[@wordswordswords.5422]

I'm jealous. Tell us more.

[@Besosatwa]

This video just makes me happy. :)

[@laurencerichardgarcia-lore3932]

He is an amazing actor and can sing!!!!

[@knarlymarleigh2588]

um okay I knew he was Cuban.... but ive never heard him speak it.. and I think I'm pregnant

[@721rena]

You mean speak Spanish? He did that alot on law and order

[@beebs56]

Cuban isn't a language..

[@MsCharlotteAnna]

He is so talented. I would love to be him.

[@tammykreiser5145]

He is so handsome and very talented and sweet. I would love to meet him in person

[@kathrynhornibrook6116]

Spanish......OH.MY.GAWD. I think I'm in love. And it's ridiculous as he's 19 years my senior...but Spanish is sexy. I swear he doesn't know what his smile does to me.

[@TimeIdle]

Never knew he is so goofy and charming.

[@Sissymosier]

just watched it again and I can't even

[@lagurl1997]

3:20 is the cutest 🥺

[@RocketRoketto]

Him being fascinated by the 20s in Paris is me,,...such a scorpio thing to do

[@lorenzolaiken4909]

1:57 A.M. Listening to Roberta Flack and imagining you. How sweet it is.

[@sexyfriday11]

He is hilarious!

[@healthyholemealbread]

MY QUESTION IS THERE!! I'm Lizzie :DD Not really expecting that answer haha. So sad Leap of Faith is closing in May, I was planning to fly over during the summer to see it :((

[@victordunson719]

He is so beautiful ........