Raul Esparza and Brooke Shields to Star in L.A. Premiere of New Musical Leap of Faith

Four-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza and Brooke Shields have signed on to co-star in the world premiere of the new musical Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Based on the 1992 Steve Martin comedy, the show will run September 11-October 24, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford. Opening night has been set for October 3.

Leap of Faith features a score by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by screenwriter Janus Cercone with Slater. The musical centers on Jonas Nightengale (Esparza), a part-time reverend and full-time con artist who pitches a tent in small-town Kansas when his ministry breaks down and invites the locals to a revival. The sheriff is determined to stop Jonas from separating the townspeople from their money, but Jonas’ real challenge arises when he meets a pretty waitress named Marva (Shields) and her son, whose love forces an ultimate cynic to take a real leap of faith.

Esparza received Tony nominations for Speed the Plow, The Homecoming, Company and Taboo (becoming only the second actor to have received nominations in all four acting categories). Other Broadway credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cabaret, The Rocky Horror Show and the recent Encores! presentation of Anyone Can Whistle. Off-Broadway he appeared in The Normal Heart, Comedians and tick, tick . . . BOOM!

Shields has appeared on Broadway in Grease, Cabaret, Wonderful Town and Chicago and off-Broadway in Love Letters, The Vagina Monologues and Love, Loss and What I Wore. Her TV series include Suddenly Susan and Lipstick Jungle. Films include Pretty Baby, Endless Love and Black and White.

The film version of Leap of Faith starred Steve Martin as Jonas Nightengale, Lolita Davidovich as Marva and Liam Neeson as the Sheriff, with Debra Winger, Lukas Haas, Meat Loaf and Philip Seymour Hoffman in other roles. No other casting for the musical version has been announced.