The 2012 Tony Nominations were announced today and LEAP OF FAITH was nominated for one single Tony.....Best Musical. After seeing it tonight, I'm a little surprised that it didn't get a Best Score nomination and I'm certainly shocked that Raul Esparza was ignored. First, the score....Alan Menken and Glenn Slater wrote the score and there's some really nice stuff there. Menken's score for NEWSIES was nominated and personally, I prefer his songs for LEAP OF FAITH. Tinged with a hint of country and a lot of Gospel, when LEAP OF FAITH sings, it soars! Put a big ole Gospel Choir onstage and I'm a happy man! The voices in LEAP OF FAITH are exceptional and lift the roof off of the St. James Theatre. Based on a failed Steve Martin film, LEAP OF FAITH tells a story that has been told before....a con man comes to a small town suffering from financial woes and a heavy drought. Sounds like THE RAINMAKER, 110 IN THE SHADE, and since the man is an Evangelist, shades of ELMER GANTRY also come to mind. There's nothing unique about the tale and by the time the rain comes at the end and drenches the cast during the happy ending, you absolutely have a strong sense of deja vu. But what does work in this show is Raul Esparza and some amazing singers! I don't know who Raul Esparza made angry, but there really isn't a logical explanation as to why he was ignored for a Tony nomination as Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. I think this part fits him perfectly. Jessica Phillips plays the local Sheriff who becomes the reluctant love interest. Ms Phillips has a gorgeous voice and makes the most of her songs. The singing in the show is really the reason to see it. The Gospel Choir that serves as the centerpiece of the show is mighty impressive. Their moments make the predictable pat story worthwhile if only to serve as a function to get to the next ball busting Ensemble number! LEAP OF FAITH doesn't have a chance in hell of winning the Tony for Best Musical. It is clearly there to simply fill a slot. But it's hardly the worst thing I've ever seen either. It's a sweet yet unmemorable story that is lifted up by an above average score expertly sung by one of the best Ensembles working on Broadway.
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