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Raúl Esparza

Raúl Eduardo Esparza (born October 24, 1970) is an American stage, screen, and voice actor. Considered one of Broadway's leading men since the 2000s, he is best known for his Tony Award-nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of Company and for his television role as New York Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Rafael Barba in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, where he had a recurring role in Season 14 and was promoted to a series regular in Seasons 15 to 19.

Raúl Esparza
Esparza at the Opening Night of the 2022 Broadway revival of Into The Woods
Born
Raúl Eduardo Esparza

(1970-10-24) October 24, 1970 (age 52)
Alma materNew York University
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Michelle Perez
(m. 1994; div. 2008)
Websitewww.raulesparza.com

He made his Broadway debut in 2000 as Riff Raff in the revival of The Rocky Horror Show. Subsequently, he starred as Jonathan in the original Off-Broadway production of Tick, Tick... Boom! and Caractacus Potts in the original Broadway production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2005. He received Tony nominations for his roles as Philip Salon in the Boy George musical Taboo in 2004; Bobby in the musical comedy Company in 2006; Lenny in Harold Pinter's play The Homecoming in 2008; and Charlie Fox in David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow in 2009. Most recently, he starred in the Off-Broadway production Seared in 2019.

Esparza has been nominated in all Tony categories for which an actor is eligible. He is widely regarded for his versatility on stage, having performed musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, Boy George, the Sherman Brothers and in plays by Mamet, Pinter, William Shakespeare, Tom Stoppard, and more. His film work includes Sidney Lumet's Find Me Guilty and Wes Craven's My Soul to Take, and his television credits include roles on The Path, Medium, Hannibal and Pushing Daisies. He narrated the audiobook for Stephen King's Under the Dome as well as several others, and he sings in concerts across the country.

Early life

Esparza was born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Cuban parents, María Elena Cecilia García y Gutiérrez and Raúl Esparza y Rues, who had left the country because of the Castro regime.[1] While his paternal grandfather had been established in Castro's sugar ministry, his father's family grew disillusioned with the government, and in 1966, his father and grandmother escaped to the U.S. by boat, while his grandfather defected through Spain.[1] Esparza's maternal grandfather had moved to Cuba from Figueres, Alt Empordà, Catalonia, Spain.[1]

Esparza was raised in Miami, Florida. He graduated from Belen Jesuit in 1988 and won a Silver Knight Award in Drama that same year.[2] In 1992, Esparza received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama and a Bachelor's degree in English from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[3]

While on Finding Your Roots, Season 8, Episode 2, Esparza learned that his Catalan great-great-grandparents founded Garcia de Pou Restaurant Supply Store in Madrid, Spain, which is still owned and operated by members of his family. He also learned that another branch of his family came from the small town of Navata, Girona, Catalonia, Spain, where they can be traced back 14 generations.[4]

Career

Theatre

Broadway theatre

Esparza first drew attention with his performance in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, which won him the Theatre World Award. Esparza's other Broadway credits include Cabaret (2001), Taboo (2003), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2005), and Sondheim's Company (2006). He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for his performance in Taboo. His performance in Company earned him a second Tony nomination, this time for Best Actor in a Musical, as well as his second Drama Desk award. Beginning in November 2007, he appeared in Harold Pinter's play The Homecoming and was Tony-nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play. In 2008, he played Charlie Fox in the revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow co-starring Jeremy Piven and Elisabeth Moss on Broadway.[5] His performance in Speed-the-Plow earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play, making him the second performer (after Boyd Gaines) to be nominated in all four acting categories a performer is eligible for at the Tonys, although he has yet to win one.

Esparza appeared in a limited-engagement revival of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, which began previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on February 25, 2011, and opened on March 17, 2011.[6]

Esparza appeared in the musical Leap of Faith in the role of the "Reverend" Jonas Nightingale. He was involved in the workshop in 2008, the out-of-town tryout at the Ahmanson Theatre (Los Angeles) in 2010, and the Broadway production in 2012,[7] for which he received a 2012 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.[8]

Other theatre

In 1999, Esparza played Che in the national tour of Evita, opposite Natalie Toro. The tour was intended to open on Broadway, but failed to do so. In 2001, he appeared Off-Broadway in tick, tick... BOOM! by Jonathan Larson, garnering a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He appeared in two musicals by Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George and Merrily We Roll Along at the 2002 Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration.[9] He also appeared as the Arbiter in the Actors Fund of America concert of Tim Rice's Chess in September 2003.[10]

In 2009, Esparza starred in a production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Theater (New York) with Anne Hathaway, from June 25 through July 12.[11] He starred as Hapgood in the City Center Encores! staged concert production of Anyone Can Whistle from April 8 to 11, 2010, opposite Sutton Foster as Fay and Donna Murphy as the Mayoress.[12]

In July 2013, Esparza starred in a production of The Cradle Will Rock at the New York City Center.[13]

In February 2018, Esparza played Freddie Trumper in the Kennedy Center's revival of Tim Rice's Chess. From October to December 2018, Esparza played the title role in Classic Stage Company's Off-Broadway production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. He was nominated for the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Best Actor for the role.[14]

In July 2019, Esparza appeared in a production of Road Show at the New York City Center.[15] In October of the same year, Esparza played Harry in the off-Broadway comedy Seared by Theresa Rebeck.[16]

In April 2020 he was a host, executive producer, and performer in Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Celebration, a virtual concert in honour of the 90th birthday of composer Stephen Sondheim benefiting the charity organisation ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty).[17]

In December 2022, Esparza was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.[18]

Television

In 2007, Esparza had a recurring role on the TV show Pushing Daisies as traveling salesman Alfredo Aldarisio, a role originally given to Paul Reubens. In 2009, Esparza recorded the audiobook Under the Dome by Stephen King. He has done narration for The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer[19] and The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark.[20] In January 2010, Esparza performed opposite Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Valarie Pettiford at the 92Y's Lyrics and Lyricist event honoring Desi Arnaz and his orchestra, "Babalu: The American Songbook Goes Latin".[21] In 2010, Esparza appeared as Abel Plenkov in Wes Craven's My Soul to Take.[22]

From 2013 to 2015, Esparza appeared in the recurring role of Dr. Frederick Chilton in Hannibal.[23] He appeared in the 2016 film Custody, written and directed by James Lapine, as an Administration for Children's Services agent.[24]

Law & Order: SVU

In 2012, Esparza became a recurring actor on the long-running NBC drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba, starting in the third episode of the show's 14th season, "Twenty-Five Acts".[25] He appeared in 11 episodes of the show's 14th season. On July 17, 2013, he was promoted to series regular for the show's 15th season.[26] His character became the first series-regular ADA since Stephanie March in the 11th season and the first regular male ADA in series history. His role on SVU was not his first Law & Order role, however, as he had previously portrayed an ADA in a 2009 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and a suspect in a 2010 episode of the original Law & Order. On February 7, 2018, Esparza left SVU in the episode "The Undiscovered Country” after six seasons on the show.[27][28]

Although having left the series to return to the stage, Esparza has been back on the show, making a very brief cameo before the main title in the Season 21 episode "Redemption in Her Corner".[29] He made another guest appearance in Season 22 episode "Sightless in a Savage Land" and in the Season 23 Finale, "A Final Call at Forlini's Bar.[30]

Personal life

Esparza married Michele Marie Perez, his high-school girlfriend, in 1994. They divorced in 2007.[31] Esparza was the subject of a The New York Times profile in 2006 in which he revealed that he is bisexual.[32]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2005 ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway Himself Documentary film directed by Dori Berinstein[33]
2006 Find Me Guilty Tony Compagna [34][35]
2010 My Soul to Take Abel Plenkov
2011 Trouble in the Heights Nevada Ramirez
2016 Custody Luis Sanjuro
2017 Ferdinand Moreno (voice)

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Spin City Reporter Episode: "In the Heat of the Day"
2007 Pushing Daisies Alfredo Aldarisio 2 episodes
2009 Law & Order: Criminal Intent ADA Kevin Mulrooney Episode: "Lady's Man"
2010 Law & Order Dennis Di Palma Episode: "Blackmail"
Medium David Ostrowski Episode: "Blood on the Tracks"
2011 A Gifted Man Phillip Romero 2 episodes
2012–2018
2020–2022
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit ADA Rafael Barba Recurring (Season 14)
Main cast (Seasons 15–19)
Guest (Seasons 21–23)
119 episodes
2012 666 Park Avenue Phillip Perez Episode: "Hypnos"
2013–2015 Hannibal Dr. Frederick Chilton 12 episodes
2014 Dora and Friends: Into the City! Big Bad Wolf (voice) Episode: "Puppet Theater"
2016–2018 BoJack Horseman Ralph Stilton (voice) 8 episodes
2018 The Path Jackson Neill 6 episodes
2020 Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Celebration Himself (host) TV special
The Good Fight Bryan Kneef Episode: "The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn't Like It"
2021 Dopesick Paul Mendelson 6 episodes
Law & Order: Organized Crime Rafael Barba Episode: "The Christmas Episode"
2022 Candy Don Crowder Miniseries

Theater credits

Selected credits[36]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2001 Theatre World Award The Rocky Horror Show Honouree [37]
2002 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical tick, tick...BOOM! Nominated [38]
Obie Award Performance Won [39]
2003 Barrymore Award Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical Green Violin Won [40]
Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Resident Musical Sunday in the Park with George Nominated [41]
2004 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Taboo Nominated [42]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Won [43]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Taboo and The Normal Heart Nominated [44]
2005 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Nominated [45]
HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award Won [46]
2006 Cincinnati Entertainment Award Outstanding Acting Performance by a Visiting Actor Company Won [citation needed]
Enquirer Acclaim Award Outstanding Musical Lead Performance Won [citation needed]
2007 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Nominated [42]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won [47]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [48]
Outer Circle Critics Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won [49]
2008 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Play The Homecoming Nominated [42]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Ensemble Performance Won [50]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Nominated [51]
2009 Tony Award Best Actor in a Play Speed-the-Plow Nominated [42]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated [52]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [53]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated [54]
2011 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Arcadia Nominated [55]
Ovation Award Lead Actor in a Musical Leap of Faith Won [56]
2012 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated [57]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [58]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated [59]
2019 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Nominated [60]
2020 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Seared Nominated [61]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [62]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Honouree [63]
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play Nominated [64]

References

  1. ^ a b c Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 4, 2022
  2. ^ The International Jesuit Alumni Directory Belen (Forum Press Inc., 1994)
  3. ^ "Grad Acting Alumnus Raúl Esparza on Shakespeare in the Park". tisch.nyu.edu. August 6, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "Finding Your Roots | Children of Exile | Season 8 | Episode 3".
  5. ^ Friedman, Roger (December 22, 2008). "'Entourage' Star Bashed For Being Diva". Fox News. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Crudup, Esparza, Williams & More to Star in ARCADIA; Begins at Barrymore Theatre on Feb. 25". BroadwayWorld. December 29, 2010.
  7. ^ Jones, Kenneth (April 26, 2012). "Leap of Faith, With Raúl Esparza at the Musical Pulpit, Opens on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Bacalzo, Dan (April 27, 2012). "2012 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced". TheaterMania. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Merrily We Roll Along Begins Kennedy Center Previews July 12". Playbill. July 12, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 23, 2003). "DIVA TALK SPECIAL: Julia and Josh Dazzle in All-Star Chess". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Hetrick, Adam (June 25, 2009). "Hathaway, McDonald, White and Esparza Open Twelfth Night in Central Park June 25". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  12. ^ Healy, Patrick. "Raúl Esparza Joins Anyone Can Whistle", The New York Times, March 17, 2010; accessed May 16, 2014.
  13. ^ Isherwood, Charles (July 11, 2013). "A Tuneful Depression-Era Howl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  14. ^ McPhee, Ryan (April 25, 2019). "Nominations for the 2019 Drama Desk Awards Announced; Oklahoma!, Tootsie, Rags Parkland Lead the Pack". Playbill.
  15. ^ McPhee, Ryan (June 24, 2019). "Brandon Uranowitz, Raúl Esparza, More Set for Road Show at New York City Center". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  16. ^ "Seared". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  17. ^ Sullivan, Lindsey (April 26, 2020). "Tonight! Spot the Slew of Stars Slated for Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration". Broadway.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  18. ^ Candlelight Processional narrators 2022
  19. ^ The House of the Scorpion Audiobook. Simon & Schuster. October 21, 2008. ISBN 9780743572477. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  20. ^ . Simon & Schuster. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  21. ^ "Lyrics & Lyricists—Babalu: The American Songbook Goes Latin". 92Y.org. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  22. ^ "Wes Craven's 25/8 Becomes My Soul To Take". Collider.com. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  23. ^ Cerasaro, Pat (May 2, 2013). "Raul Esparza Makes Debut on HANNIBAL tonight". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  24. ^ DeFore, John (April 18, 2016). "'Custody': Tribeca Review". Hollywood Reporter.
  25. ^ "Raul Esparza Set to Appear on LAW & ORDER: SVU, 10/10". BroadwayWorld. October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  26. ^ "Justin Hartley Joins ABC's 'Revenge', Raul Esparza Upped To Regular On 'Law & Order: SVU'". Deadline Hollywood. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  27. ^ Abrams, Natalie (February 7, 2018). "Raúl Esparza exits Law & Order: SVU after six seasons". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  28. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 7, 2018). "Raul Esparza Exits 'Law & Order: SVU'; 'Chicago Justice' Vet Promoted To Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  29. ^ Levine, Daniel S. (February 6, 2020). "'Law & Order: SVU' Viewers Shocked by Surprise Cameo From Fan-Favorite Cameo". popculture.com. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  30. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 28, 2020). "Law & Order: SVU Reveals 'Emotional' Nature of Barba's January Return". TVLine.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  31. ^ Shewey, Don (July 9, 2007). "Is He Or Isn't He?". The Advocate. donshewey.com.
  32. ^ Wadler, Joyce (November 26, 2006). "Breaking Character for the First Time in His Life". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  33. ^ "ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway". Turner Classic Movies. United States: Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  34. ^ "Find Me Guilty". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  35. ^ Rangel, Jesus (August 27, 1988). "All 20 Acquitted in Jersey Mob Case". The New York Times. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  36. ^ "Raúl Esparza theatre profile". abouttheartists.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  37. ^ "Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards". theatreworldawards.org. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  38. ^ "Drama Desk Awards Announced; Goat, Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play, Millie Scores". Playbill. May 20, 2002. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  39. ^ "02". Obie Awards. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  40. ^ Robb, Cooper. "Andreas, Esparza, Frugé et al. Win Barrymore Awards", theatermania.com, October 29, 2003.
  41. ^ "2003 Helen Hayes Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  42. ^ a b c d "The Tony Award Nominations". tonyawards.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  43. ^ "Wicked is Tops at 2004 Drama Desk Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  44. ^ Simonson, Robert (May 14, 2004). "Wife, Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV and Jackman Win 2004 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  45. ^ "2005 Outer Critics Circle Award winners announced". New York Theater Guide. October 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  46. ^ Raúl Esparza Accepts the HOLA 2005 José Ferrer Tespis Award, archived from the original on December 17, 2021, retrieved April 18, 2021
  47. ^ Gelder, Lawrence Van (May 21, 2007). "'Coast of Utopia,' 'Spring Awakening' Honored at Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  48. ^ "2007 Drama League Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  49. ^ Cox, Gordon (May 14, 2007). "Outer Critics laud 'Utopia,' 'Spring'". Variety. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  50. ^ Esparza Awards and nominations Broadway", ibdb.com, retrieved February 10, 2018.
  51. ^ "South Pacific Scores in Outer Critics Circle Awards". Observer. May 12, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  52. ^ "Billy Elliot Leads Winners of 2009 Drama Desk Awards | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  53. ^ "2009 Drama League Award Nominees Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  54. ^ "Billy Elliot and Shrek Top 2009 Outer Critics Circle Nominees". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  55. ^ "2011 Drama League Nominations Announced - Complete List!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  56. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Leap of Faith's Raul Esparza, Voice Lessons' Laurie Metcalf Among L.A. Ovation Winners", Playbill, November 15, 2011.
  57. ^ "2012 Drama Desk Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  58. ^ "2012 Drama League Award Winners - Audra McDonald, ONCE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN & More!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  59. ^ "Outer Critics Circle: 2012 Award winners". New York Theater Guide. October 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  60. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 3, 2019). "Drama Desk Awards Winners List: 'The Ferryman', 'The Prom' Among Top Honorees". Deadline. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  61. ^ "'The Inheritance,' 'Strange Loop,' 'Moulin Rouge' Among Drama Desk Award Winners". Variety. June 14, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  62. ^ "Nominations Announced for 86th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  63. ^ "Moulin Rouge! Tops 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honors". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  64. ^ "2020 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominees". The Lucille Lortel Awards. Retrieved April 18, 2021.

External links

raúl, esparza, raúl, eduardo, esparza, born, october, 1970, american, stage, screen, voice, actor, considered, broadway, leading, since, 2000s, best, known, tony, award, nominated, performance, bobby, 2006, broadway, revival, company, television, role, york, a. Raul Eduardo Esparza born October 24 1970 is an American stage screen and voice actor Considered one of Broadway s leading men since the 2000s he is best known for his Tony Award nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of Company and for his television role as New York Assistant District Attorney ADA Rafael Barba in Law amp Order Special Victims Unit where he had a recurring role in Season 14 and was promoted to a series regular in Seasons 15 to 19 Raul EsparzaEsparza at the Opening Night of the 2022 Broadway revival of Into The WoodsBornRaul Eduardo Esparza 1970 10 24 October 24 1970 age 52 Wilmington Delaware U S Alma materNew York UniversityOccupationActorYears active1993 presentSpouseMichelle Perez m 1994 div 2008 wbr Websitewww wbr raulesparza wbr comHe made his Broadway debut in 2000 as Riff Raff in the revival of The Rocky Horror Show Subsequently he starred as Jonathan in the original Off Broadway production of Tick Tick Boom and Caractacus Potts in the original Broadway production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2005 He received Tony nominations for his roles as Philip Salon in the Boy George musical Taboo in 2004 Bobby in the musical comedy Company in 2006 Lenny in Harold Pinter s play The Homecoming in 2008 and Charlie Fox in David Mamet s play Speed the Plow in 2009 Most recently he starred in the Off Broadway production Seared in 2019 Esparza has been nominated in all Tony categories for which an actor is eligible He is widely regarded for his versatility on stage having performed musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber Stephen Sondheim Kander and Ebb Boy George the Sherman Brothers and in plays by Mamet Pinter William Shakespeare Tom Stoppard and more His film work includes Sidney Lumet s Find Me Guilty and Wes Craven s My Soul to Take and his television credits include roles on The Path Medium Hannibal and Pushing Daisies He narrated the audiobook for Stephen King s Under the Dome as well as several others and he sings in concerts across the country Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 Theatre 2 1 1 Broadway theatre 2 1 2 Other theatre 2 2 Television 2 2 1 Law amp Order SVU 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 4 1 Film 4 2 Television 5 Theater credits 6 Awards and nominations 7 References 8 External linksEarly life EditEsparza was born in Wilmington Delaware to Cuban parents Maria Elena Cecilia Garcia y Gutierrez and Raul Esparza y Rues who had left the country because of the Castro regime 1 While his paternal grandfather had been established in Castro s sugar ministry his father s family grew disillusioned with the government and in 1966 his father and grandmother escaped to the U S by boat while his grandfather defected through Spain 1 Esparza s maternal grandfather had moved to Cuba from Figueres Alt Emporda Catalonia Spain 1 Esparza was raised in Miami Florida He graduated from Belen Jesuit in 1988 and won a Silver Knight Award in Drama that same year 2 In 1992 Esparza received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama and a Bachelor s degree in English from New York University s Tisch School of the Arts 3 While on Finding Your Roots Season 8 Episode 2 Esparza learned that his Catalan great great grandparents founded Garcia de Pou Restaurant Supply Store in Madrid Spain which is still owned and operated by members of his family He also learned that another branch of his family came from the small town of Navata Girona Catalonia Spain where they can be traced back 14 generations 4 Career EditTheatre Edit Broadway theatre Edit Esparza first drew attention with his performance in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show which won him the Theatre World Award Esparza s other Broadway credits include Cabaret 2001 Taboo 2003 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 2005 and Sondheim s Company 2006 He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for his performance in Taboo His performance in Company earned him a second Tony nomination this time for Best Actor in a Musical as well as his second Drama Desk award Beginning in November 2007 he appeared in Harold Pinter s play The Homecoming and was Tony nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play In 2008 he played Charlie Fox in the revival of David Mamet s Speed the Plow co starring Jeremy Piven and Elisabeth Moss on Broadway 5 His performance in Speed the Plow earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play making him the second performer after Boyd Gaines to be nominated in all four acting categories a performer is eligible for at the Tonys although he has yet to win one Esparza appeared in a limited engagement revival of Tom Stoppard s Arcadia which began previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on February 25 2011 and opened on March 17 2011 6 Esparza appeared in the musical Leap of Faith in the role of the Reverend Jonas Nightingale He was involved in the workshop in 2008 the out of town tryout at the Ahmanson Theatre Los Angeles in 2010 and the Broadway production in 2012 7 for which he received a 2012 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical 8 Other theatre Edit In 1999 Esparza played Che in the national tour of Evita opposite Natalie Toro The tour was intended to open on Broadway but failed to do so In 2001 he appeared Off Broadway in tick tick BOOM by Jonathan Larson garnering a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical He appeared in two musicals by Stephen Sondheim Sunday in the Park with George and Merrily We Roll Along at the 2002 Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration 9 He also appeared as the Arbiter in the Actors Fund of America concert of Tim Rice s Chess in September 2003 10 In 2009 Esparza starred in a production of Shakespeare s Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Theater New York with Anne Hathaway from June 25 through July 12 11 He starred as Hapgood in the City Center Encores staged concert production of Anyone Can Whistle from April 8 to 11 2010 opposite Sutton Foster as Fay and Donna Murphy as the Mayoress 12 In July 2013 Esparza starred in a production of The Cradle Will Rock at the New York City Center 13 In February 2018 Esparza played Freddie Trumper in the Kennedy Center s revival of Tim Rice s Chess From October to December 2018 Esparza played the title role in Classic Stage Company s Off Broadway production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui He was nominated for the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Best Actor for the role 14 In July 2019 Esparza appeared in a production of Road Show at the New York City Center 15 In October of the same year Esparza played Harry in the off Broadway comedy Seared by Theresa Rebeck 16 In April 2020 he was a host executive producer and performer in Take Me to the World A Sondheim 90th Celebration a virtual concert in honour of the 90th birthday of composer Stephen Sondheim benefiting the charity organisation ASTEP Artists Striving to End Poverty 17 In December 2022 Esparza was a guest narrator at Disney s Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World 18 Television Edit In 2007 Esparza had a recurring role on the TV show Pushing Daisies as traveling salesman Alfredo Aldarisio a role originally given to Paul Reubens In 2009 Esparza recorded the audiobook Under the Dome by Stephen King He has done narration for The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer 19 and The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark 20 In January 2010 Esparza performed opposite Lucie Arnaz Desi Arnaz Jr and Valarie Pettiford at the 92Y s Lyrics and Lyricist event honoring Desi Arnaz and his orchestra Babalu The American Songbook Goes Latin 21 In 2010 Esparza appeared as Abel Plenkov in Wes Craven s My Soul to Take 22 From 2013 to 2015 Esparza appeared in the recurring role of Dr Frederick Chilton in Hannibal 23 He appeared in the 2016 film Custody written and directed by James Lapine as an Administration for Children s Services agent 24 Law amp Order SVU Edit In 2012 Esparza became a recurring actor on the long running NBC drama series Law amp Order Special Victims Unit as Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba starting in the third episode of the show s 14th season Twenty Five Acts 25 He appeared in 11 episodes of the show s 14th season On July 17 2013 he was promoted to series regular for the show s 15th season 26 His character became the first series regular ADA since Stephanie March in the 11th season and the first regular male ADA in series history His role on SVU was not his first Law amp Order role however as he had previously portrayed an ADA in a 2009 episode of Law amp Order Criminal Intent and a suspect in a 2010 episode of the original Law amp Order On February 7 2018 Esparza left SVU in the episode The Undiscovered Country after six seasons on the show 27 28 Although having left the series to return to the stage Esparza has been back on the show making a very brief cameo before the main title in the Season 21 episode Redemption in Her Corner 29 He made another guest appearance in Season 22 episode Sightless in a Savage Land and in the Season 23 Finale A Final Call at Forlini s Bar 30 Personal life EditEsparza married Michele Marie Perez his high school girlfriend in 1994 They divorced in 2007 31 Esparza was the subject of a The New York Times profile in 2006 in which he revealed that he is bisexual 32 Filmography EditFilm Edit Year Title Role Notes2005 ShowBusiness The Road to Broadway Himself Documentary film directed by Dori Berinstein 33 2006 Find Me Guilty Tony Compagna 34 35 2010 My Soul to Take Abel Plenkov2011 Trouble in the Heights Nevada Ramirez2016 Custody Luis Sanjuro2017 Ferdinand Moreno voice Television Edit Year Title Role Notes1997 Spin City Reporter Episode In the Heat of the Day 2007 Pushing Daisies Alfredo Aldarisio 2 episodes2009 Law amp Order Criminal Intent ADA Kevin Mulrooney Episode Lady s Man 2010 Law amp Order Dennis Di Palma Episode Blackmail Medium David Ostrowski Episode Blood on the Tracks 2011 A Gifted Man Phillip Romero 2 episodes2012 20182020 2022 Law amp Order Special Victims Unit ADA Rafael Barba Recurring Season 14 Main cast Seasons 15 19 Guest Seasons 21 23 119 episodes2012 666 Park Avenue Phillip Perez Episode Hypnos 2013 2015 Hannibal Dr Frederick Chilton 12 episodes2014 Dora and Friends Into the City Big Bad Wolf voice Episode Puppet Theater 2016 2018 BoJack Horseman Ralph Stilton voice 8 episodes2018 The Path Jackson Neill 6 episodes2020 Take Me to the World A Sondheim 90th Celebration Himself host TV specialThe Good Fight Bryan Kneef Episode The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn t Like It 2021 Dopesick Paul Mendelson 6 episodesLaw amp Order Organized Crime Rafael Barba Episode The Christmas Episode 2022 Candy Don Crowder MiniseriesTheater credits EditSelected credits 36 1998 99 Evita 20th Anniversary US National Tour Che 2002 01 The Rocky Horror Show Circle in the Square Theatre Broadway Riff Raff 2001 Tick Tick Boom Jane Street Theatre Off Broadway Jonathan 2001 02 Cabaret Studio 54 Broadway The Emcee 2002 Sunday in the Park with George Kennedy Center Washington D C George Seurat 2002 Merrily We Roll Along Kennedy Center Washington D C Charley Kringas 2003 Comedians Samual Beckett Theatre Off Broadway Gethin Price 2003 04 Taboo Plymouth Theatre Broadway Philip Sallon 2004 The Normal Heart The Public Theater Off Broadway Ned Weeks 2005 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Hilton Theatre Broadway Caractacus Potts 2006 Company The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Regional Robert 2006 07 Company Ethel Barrymore Theatre Broadway Robert 2007 08 The Homecoming Cort Theatre Broadway Lenny 2008 09 Speed the Plow Ethel Barrymore Theatre Broadway Charlie Fox 2009 Twelfth Night Delacorte Theatre Shakespeare in the Park Orsino 2010 Leap of Faith Mark Taper Forum Los Angeles Jonas Nightingale 2011 Arcadia Ethel Barrymore Theatre Broadway Valentine Coverly 2012 Leap of Faith St James Theatre Broadway Jonas Nightingale 2015 Cymbeline Delacorte Theatre Shakespeare in the Park Iachimo 2018 The Waves Powerhouse Theater Poughkeepsie Bernard 2018 The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Lynn F Angelson Theater Off Broadway Arturo Ui 2019 Seared MCC Theater Off Broadway HarryAwards and nominations EditYear Award Category Work Result Ref 2001 Theatre World Award The Rocky Horror Show Honouree 37 2002 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical tick tick BOOM Nominated 38 Obie Award Performance Won 39 2003 Barrymore Award Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical Green Violin Won 40 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Resident Musical Sunday in the Park with George Nominated 41 2004 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Taboo Nominated 42 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Won 43 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Taboo and The Normal Heart Nominated 44 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Nominated 45 HOLA Jose Ferrer Tespis Award Won 46 2006 Cincinnati Entertainment Award Outstanding Acting Performance by a Visiting Actor Company Won citation needed Enquirer Acclaim Award Outstanding Musical Lead Performance Won citation needed 2007 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Nominated 42 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won 47 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated 48 Outer Circle Critics Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won 49 2008 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Play The Homecoming Nominated 42 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Ensemble Performance Won 50 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Nominated 51 2009 Tony Award Best Actor in a Play Speed the Plow Nominated 42 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated 52 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated 53 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated 54 2011 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Arcadia Nominated 55 Ovation Award Lead Actor in a Musical Leap of Faith Won 56 2012 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated 57 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated 58 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated 59 2019 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Nominated 60 2020 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Seared Nominated 61 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated 62 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Honouree 63 Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play Nominated 64 References Edit a b c Stated on Finding Your Roots January 4 2022 The International Jesuit Alumni Directory Belen Forum Press Inc 1994 Grad Acting Alumnus Raul Esparza on Shakespeare in the Park tisch nyu edu August 6 2015 Retrieved May 20 2017 Finding Your Roots Children of Exile Season 8 Episode 3 Friedman Roger December 22 2008 Entourage Star Bashed For Being Diva Fox News Retrieved January 1 2021 Crudup Esparza Williams amp More to Star in ARCADIA Begins at Barrymore Theatre on Feb 25 BroadwayWorld December 29 2010 Jones Kenneth April 26 2012 Leap of Faith With Raul Esparza at the Musical Pulpit Opens on Broadway Playbill Retrieved January 1 2021 Bacalzo Dan April 27 2012 2012 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced TheaterMania Retrieved January 1 2021 Merrily We Roll Along Begins Kennedy Center Previews July 12 Playbill July 12 2002 Retrieved January 1 2021 Gans Andrew September 23 2003 DIVA TALK SPECIAL Julia and Josh Dazzle in All Star Chess Playbill Retrieved January 1 2021 Hetrick Adam June 25 2009 Hathaway McDonald White and Esparza Open Twelfth Night in Central Park June 25 Playbill Retrieved January 1 2021 Healy Patrick Raul Esparza Joins Anyone Can Whistle The New York Times March 17 2010 accessed May 16 2014 Isherwood Charles July 11 2013 A Tuneful Depression Era Howl The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved January 1 2021 McPhee Ryan April 25 2019 Nominations for the 2019 Drama Desk Awards Announced Oklahoma Tootsie Rags Parkland Lead the Pack Playbill McPhee Ryan June 24 2019 Brandon Uranowitz Raul Esparza More Set for Road Show at New York City Center Playbill Retrieved January 1 2021 Seared Broadway com Retrieved January 1 2021 Sullivan Lindsey April 26 2020 Tonight Spot the Slew of Stars Slated for Take Me to the World A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration Broadway com Retrieved July 28 2020 Candlelight Processional narrators 2022 The House of the Scorpion Audiobook Simon amp Schuster October 21 2008 ISBN 9780743572477 Retrieved January 25 2010 The Book of Unholy Mischief Audiobook Simon amp Schuster Archived from the original on December 28 2009 Retrieved January 25 2010 Lyrics amp Lyricists Babalu The American Songbook Goes Latin 92Y org Retrieved January 25 2010 Wes Craven s 25 8 Becomes My Soul To Take Collider com Retrieved January 25 2010 Cerasaro Pat May 2 2013 Raul Esparza Makes Debut on HANNIBAL tonight BroadwayWorld Retrieved June 12 2013 DeFore John April 18 2016 Custody Tribeca Review Hollywood Reporter Raul Esparza Set to Appear on LAW amp ORDER SVU 10 10 BroadwayWorld October 2 2012 Retrieved October 2 2012 Justin Hartley Joins ABC s Revenge Raul Esparza Upped To Regular On Law amp Order SVU Deadline Hollywood July 12 2013 Retrieved July 17 2013 Abrams Natalie February 7 2018 Raul Esparza exits Law amp Order SVU after six seasons Entertainment Weekly Retrieved February 10 2018 Ramos Dino Ray February 7 2018 Raul Esparza Exits Law amp Order SVU Chicago Justice Vet Promoted To Series Regular Deadline Hollywood Retrieved February 16 2018 Levine Daniel S February 6 2020 Law amp Order SVU Viewers Shocked by Surprise Cameo From Fan Favorite Cameo popculture com Retrieved February 6 2019 Mitovich Matt Webb December 28 2020 Law amp Order SVU Reveals Emotional Nature of Barba s January Return TVLine com Retrieved December 2 2020 Shewey Don July 9 2007 Is He Or Isn t He The Advocate donshewey com Wadler Joyce November 26 2006 Breaking Character for the First Time in His Life The New York Times Retrieved May 16 2014 ShowBusiness The Road to Broadway Turner Classic Movies United States Turner Broadcasting System Retrieved February 17 2018 Find Me Guilty Turner Classic Movies Retrieved February 17 2018 Rangel Jesus August 27 1988 All 20 Acquitted in Jersey Mob Case The New York Times Retrieved February 17 2018 Raul Esparza theatre profile abouttheartists com Retrieved April 26 2022 Theatre World Awards Theatre World Awards theatreworldawards org Retrieved April 18 2021 Drama Desk Awards Announced Goat Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play Millie Scores Playbill May 20 2002 Retrieved April 18 2021 02 Obie Awards Retrieved April 18 2021 Robb Cooper Andreas Esparza Fruge et al Win Barrymore Awards theatermania com October 29 2003 2003 Helen Hayes Award Winners Announced TheaterMania theatermania com Retrieved April 18 2021 a b c d The Tony Award Nominations tonyawards com Retrieved April 18 2021 Wicked is Tops at 2004 Drama Desk Awards Broadway com Retrieved April 18 2021 Simonson Robert May 14 2004 Wife Wicked Assassins Henry IV and Jackman Win 2004 Drama League Awards Playbill Retrieved April 18 2021 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award winners announced New York Theater Guide October 19 2017 Retrieved April 18 2021 Raul Esparza Accepts the HOLA 2005 Jose Ferrer Tespis Award archived from the original on December 17 2021 retrieved April 18 2021 Gelder Lawrence Van May 21 2007 Coast of Utopia Spring Awakening Honored at Drama Desk Awards The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved April 18 2021 2007 Drama League Award Winners Announced TheaterMania theatermania com Retrieved April 18 2021 Cox Gordon May 14 2007 Outer Critics laud Utopia Spring Variety Retrieved April 18 2021 Esparza Awards and nominations Broadway ibdb com retrieved February 10 2018 South Pacific Scores in Outer Critics Circle Awards Observer May 12 2008 Retrieved April 18 2021 Billy Elliot Leads Winners of 2009 Drama Desk Awards TheaterMania theatermania com Retrieved April 18 2021 2009 Drama League Award Nominees Announced Broadway com Retrieved April 18 2021 Billy Elliot and Shrek Top 2009 Outer Critics Circle Nominees Broadway com Retrieved April 18 2021 2011 Drama League Nominations Announced Complete List BroadwayWorld com Retrieved April 18 2021 Hetrick Adam Leap of Faith s Raul Esparza Voice Lessons Laurie Metcalf Among L A Ovation Winners Playbill November 15 2011 2012 Drama Desk Award Winners Announced TheaterMania theatermania com Retrieved April 18 2021 2012 Drama League Award Winners Audra McDonald ONCE DEATH OF A SALESMAN amp More BroadwayWorld com Retrieved April 18 2021 Outer Critics Circle 2012 Award winners New York Theater Guide October 19 2017 Retrieved April 18 2021 Ramos Dino Ray June 3 2019 Drama Desk Awards Winners List The Ferryman The Prom Among Top Honorees Deadline Retrieved April 18 2021 The Inheritance Strange Loop Moulin Rouge Among Drama Desk Award Winners Variety June 14 2020 Retrieved April 18 2021 Nominations Announced for 86th Annual Drama League Awards Broadway com Retrieved April 18 2021 Moulin Rouge Tops 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honors Broadway com Retrieved April 18 2021 2020 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominees The Lucille Lortel Awards Retrieved April 18 2021 External links EditOfficial website Raul Esparza at the Internet Broadway Database Raul Esparza at IMDb Raul Esparza at the Internet Off Broadway Database Video interview in which Esparza discusses his relationship to Catholicism Interview in which Esparza discusses his stage and film work Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Raul Esparza amp oldid 1126631848, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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