Leap of Faith, Starring Raul Esparza, May Move Up Broadway Bow to Spring

Alan Menken and Glenn Slater’s musical Leap of Faith may arrive on Broadway earlier than expected. The production, which is slated to star four-time Tony nominee Raul Esparza, is eyeing a spring Broadway bow instead of the previously speculated fall opening, according to a newsletter released by Leap of Faith producer Daryl Roth. In the newsletter Roth wrote that Leap of Faith would “hopefully” open on Broadway in the spring, and that more news would be announced shortly. No further casting or theater have been announced.

Leap of Faith is a musical adaptation of the 1992 feature film of the same name starring Steve Martin. Esparza will play Jonas Nightingale, a phony faith healer who is offered a chance at redemption. Leap of Faith debuted at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre in 2010 with a production also starring Esparza. In a developmental reading in November 2011, multiple changes were made to the show, including five added songs. 

Esparza received an L.A. Ovation Award for Leap of Faith. His performances in Speed-the-Plow, The Homecoming, Company and Taboo garnered Tony nominations. His other Broadway credits include Arcadia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Rocky Horror Show and Cabaret. Esparza’s film and TV credits include A Gifted Man, Pushing Daisies, My Soul to Take, Medium, Find Me Guilty and Law & Order.

Leap of Faith will be directed by Christopher Ashley and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. Warren Leight is revising the show's original book from Janus Cercone, who penned the film's original screenplay.