Step Into the Light as Previews Begin for Leap of Faith, Starring Raúl Esparza

Raúl Esparza, Jessica Phillips and Kendra Kassebaum headline the musical adaptation of Leap of Faith, as previews begin April 3 at the St. James Theatre. Directed by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley, the new Broadway musical will officially open on April 26. The show will feature music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, a book by Janus Cercone and Warren Leight and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.


Based on the 1992 film of the same name, Leap of Faith follows full-time con artist Jonas Nightingale (Esparza) as his traveling ministry breaks down in a small Kansas town. He quickly pitches a tent and invites the locals to a revival. The town sheriff, Marla McGowan (Phillips), is determined to stop him from separating the townspeople from their money.

Joining Esparza, Phillips and Kassebaum in Leap of Faith are Kecia Lewis-Evans as Ida Mae Sturdevant, Leslie Odom, Jr. as Isaiah Sturdevant, Krystal Joy Brown as Ornella Sturdevant and Talon Ackerman as Jake Humes. The cast also features Hettie Barnhill, Kyle Brenn, Ta’Rea Campbell, Michelle Duffy, Lynorris Evans, Manoly Farrell, Dierdre Friel, Bob Gaynor, Lucia Giannetta, Angela Grovey, Louis Hobson, Tiffany Janene Howard, Grasan Kingsberry, Fletcher McTaggart, Maurice Murphy, Ian Paget, Terita Redd, Eliseo Román, Bryce Ryness, Ann Sanders, C.E. Smith, Danny Stiles, Dennis Stowe, Betsy Struxness, Roberta Wall, and Virginia Ann Woodruff.





Leap of Faith debuted at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre in 2010 with a production also starring Esparza and Kassebaum.