i think the best part of this entire thing is when he covers his phone hand with his other hand just to say "That's his Lawyer, Jerome"

Dear Uploader, 8 years ago, when I was only 10 years old, I randomly bumped into that video. Something in Raul’s performance has lit fire in me, and I have decided to Google the name of that show. I have entered the rabbit hole of Stephen Sondheim, which has changed my life for good. Rolling along 8 years later, I am learning the art of musical theatre book and lyrics writing and my own ‘Greatest composer any lyricist has ever had’ and I have finished writing my first original musical. Thanks to that video, I have met my mentor and teacher, Stephen Sondheim, whom I’ve never met but who taught me everything I know.

Raul Esparza only ever puts 110% into everything he's always spectacular def the best version imo as well

He really does great smoldering rage. “And he is! Why would he lie?”

HE ROCKED IT! This is SUCH a hard song to sing, and Raul made it look easy!

I was there. This happened. And it was thrilling. One of the best performances I've ever seen on stage and one of the best experiences I've ever had as an audience member. Thanks Raul Esparza!

this production should've been on Broadway so Raul could finally receive his MUCH DESERVED Tony.

A flat-out show stopper of a performance by an actor who years later has finally gotten his due as one of the best leading men in musical theater. This was the first time I saw Raul Esparza or Merrily We Roll Along. It was a brilliant performance, and I couldn't believe the flat review that followed by the (now former) Washington Post theater critic.

he's ridiculously incredible.

Someone give this man a Tony already! Give him all the awards. Lord knows he deserves them. I can't imagine anyone giving a finer reading of this role, this song, etc. How I wish they would have done a proper recording with this cast. I'm relishing every second of it. Thank you for posting!

PURE GENIUS! I need him to do a solo album, preferably of mostly Sondheim. His voice interprets Sondheim better than anyone out there.

He did this all sitting down. Incredible. I was in the audience that day in May 2007, and I can say it was spectacular. (and kudos to the woman playing the interviewer; perfect comic timing). Having just watched Halston and a documentary about the legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin, I felt new levels to this song! i.e.: The brilliant artist who gets too close to the sun and falls in love with the money and fame at the expense of everything.

This song is so easy to spiral out of control. It’s so fast and the anger can get out of control but he keeps it so composed but still you can tell he’s livid!

I literally can't stop watching this. Raúl Esparza's performance is phenomenal.

this is 18 years old but i still want a recorded version

I thank God for Raul Esparza everyday

I wish this show could be revived on Broadway. How can such a financial/critical disaster the first time around become so highly lauded as a musical/compositional masterpiece and not get a revival for so long?

By far the best version imo

I was fortunate enough to see this way back in 2002. I've seen other productions of Merrily since then, including the comparatively weak 2007 production by the same director and choreographer, and the highly acclaimed 2013 London West End production. Every time I see this show, I rush back to KZfaq to try to relive what was the definitive production of this difficult and brilliant show, and the superlative performance of Raul Esparza. It still leaves me speechless. Thank you for posting it.

Yeah, I saw Merrily once, and their Charlie stole the show as well. But he played it the same way any actor would take it and interpret it and treat it. Raul, on the other hand, always finds that new way to play and be a character and does it to the max, shaming everyone else who even tries to call themselves an "actor." He is amazing.

All I can say is that this is why Raul is my favorite actor! This is one of his best performances!!!

god this performance is electric

every day i wake up and feel happy to know that this man is still performing and giving everything 110%.

Raul is the sexiest man I've ever seen.

I was lucky enough to see all six main shows that were part of the Sondheim Celebration at Kennedy Center. I saw a lot of fantastic performances, but this number was the most memorable. I was blown away by Esparza as Charlie and especially his "Franklin Shepard, Inc." and I still talk often about his performance of this song. (In contrary, he sleepwalked through his performance as George in Sunday in the Park with George.)

....... this was my first experience hearing Raul Esparza ------ WOW!!

Raul is just awesome in his singing and acting I love the guy he's so sweet he will always be close to my heart

"im suprised at how much i like this"

This version is crazy good. The physical comedy is unmatchable!

Oh. My. God. Wow, just wow. This is fantastic!!!

Yes I got goosebumps during his breakdown at the end. Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phenomenal performance by Raul! Thanks for uploading.

After being obsessed with this performance for years I finally got to see him sing this in person!!! It was AMAZING! Seriously, I died. Even with just a stool and a piano, he kicked ass!!!!!!

My school just did this musical as a production and this was such a standout for me.

I have seen many excellent productions of this musical, but Esparza's rendition of Charlie has topped them all. BRIAN

I love him so freakin much right now.

astounding performance, but the real performance is from his fellow actors on stage doing their best to keep a straight face and not burst into singing along.

this is by far the best performance of this song i've seen

"There is no strong performance without a little fanaticism in the performer." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I don't love "very sneaky how it happens. every day you're on the brink", but from "First the prizes then the interviews..." all the way to the end is fucking brilliant. It's what this number should be. Especially the "Inc" at the end: perfect.

Raul Esperza is phenomenal at what he does. I love this song and he does it best.

This is the best performance I've ever seen in my life.

holy hell Raul is INCREDIBLE i just keep finding these gems of his and am always blown away over and over by his brilliant performances

Watched this again, & I want to take back what I wrote about Mr. Hayden. I think I was mostly wrong, now that I really watched him, especially at the beginning. This scene is so well done here. I think once the song really gets going, it's a real challenge for the Frank. Such an interesting piece.

I love Raul Esparza. Marvelous!

Raul can act and sing anything.

I saw this production live at the Kennedy Center. It was an excellent version of a very difficult show to pull off. Esparza was wonderful!

definitive version

Absolutely amazing.

At the same time he was playing George in Sunday in the park, what an amazing range. Do you think Lonnie Price could have played both roles, I doubt it. This is a performance that had I not seen it, I would not believe it from a describtion. He is wide open with the emotions spilling out from inside, but he is not all over the stage, until the very end. When he does physically explode it is overwelming. This is a very difficult song, and he makes it work as a piece. All I can say is WOW!!

aww i saw Fraklin Shepard Inc. the other day in this play called Sondheim on Sondheim OMG it was awesome

Wow. Just saw this show in Boston. That was one hell of a performance from Raul.

Raul is brilliant!

I think this is one of the best if not THE best performance of this song.

This puts a grin on my face every time.

Could anyone else do this as awesomely as Raul did... I submit that they could NOT!!

Fantastic. My school does the show next week and I'll be sure to bring this up. I'm Frank and it gave me some inspiration as to how to deal with the uncontrolable Charley!

7:53 That moment when you are saying you hate interviews and realize you are in one!

This is brilliant

He's a damn marvel!

Thank you for the info, Cannibal Teddy. Much appreciated.

wonderfull performance,wish there was more

wow just wow, how this man so talented :o

wow that was like 15 seconds of applause after

That was AWESOME!

I can't stop watching this...ugh...so good.

Does Raúl Esparza know he's one of the greatest theatre performers ever?

For some reason, he used to always remind me of Jon Stewart in this video.

I saw that same show also. I found it very well conceived. I guess I just preferred that version to all the others.

thank you!!

I never noticed that, but your totally right. I get wanting to include a build-up but he kind of goes manic, eh?

A revival put on by Roundabout Theatre Company has been announced. It's supposed to hit Broadway in the 09/10 season.

Raúl GENIOOOOO!!!!

If you guys are in DC, go check out Merrily at Signature. It's amazing.

Glad to register the 1000th "like" on this video. 👍

Couldn't agree more!

Does anyone know what Raul says after the first time he says “Franklin Shepard Inc”?

i have fallen in love

this song is so genius

does anyone know where i can find a copy of the original Moss Hart play this was based upon? i found one on ebay for $3, but i lost the bidding, thinking it'd be sold again, but i found a wholesale value of $300. no joke.

Raul Esparza is a totally new name to a Brit like me but I am knocked out by him.

and now LMM is playing him...

@TheStefanSittig Who played Franklin?

How did it go?

Nice production values for a college production.

Anyone who saw this production, how was Michael Hayden as Frank? It's very hard to judge just from this (other than judging that both Raul & SJS are brilliant), but he seems so 'bluh' here; I don't get a sense of what Frank is thinking or feeling, or of any character at all. Did his portrayal work in the show, in person? I'm not saying that he should be 'doing,' or 'acting' a lot here, but he seems unfocused & just kind of casual. Was that part of his characterization, & did it work if so? Or?

is it official? i thought that was still in talks?

what does he say at 4: 48

whos the actor for franklin in here?

I saw the original twice..the first and last preview. They made such a mistake by replacing the leading man. The show had the ugliest production values and had no purpose being told in reverse but what a talented cast, especially Ann Morrison.

@ihavetofinishthehat. I was at the Cincinnati premiere yesterday and I have to tell you that I was very disappointed. John Doyle's concept eliminated parts of the book that provided flesh out that characters and, although the instrumentation was very good and the performers superb musicians, having them holding and trading off instruments inhibited their physicality. Franklin Shephard Inc had none of the manic energy Esparza offers here and neither did the rest of the show.

@Splurge24 Sorry if this is a duplicate, it's my first time posting. Anyway, I posted my 1988 Franklin Shepard, Inc which, actually, proves Mr. Esparza's restraint! It's at /watch?v=aoE5XejSeUY

@phantom4087 Michael Hayden.

You're being sarcastic, right?

jajjajajaaaaaaaa

Theater geeks hate irony because they don't get it. Literal-minded bunch, right?

LMAO such a drama queen !!

Good here. But "Company" is another story. Esparza's much lauded performance is so over-the-top that he seems completely unlikeable. It might have been better in a less obtuse production, but for me it really was puzzlingly distancing.