Leap of Faith

Leap of Faith, book by Janus Cercone and Warren Leight, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, is a gospel musical about a con-man preacher and the small, drought-ridden town he plans to suck the last penny out of. Despite good songs and a lively singing, dancing cast, the show has problems. The first act, where characters, motivations and relationships are established, is filled with a mish-mash of production numbers by the fancifully costumed (by William Ivey Long) chorus. The more engaging Act Two loses that distraction and focuses on the story: the con-man (Raul Esparza), the beautiful woman sheriff (Jessica Phillips) and her crippled son (Talon Ackerman).

Here’s the problem: What does a successful con man need first of all? Charm, a warm smile, a sparkle of fire in his eyes. Although Esparza is a powerful singer and a fine actor, he lacks all three of these necessary ingredients. He’s rather uninspired or negative in his way of relating. I wouldn’t put a nickel in his donation basket.

The show is full of terrific singers, each with a personal dynamic that fills the theater: Phillips, the powerful Kecia Lewis-Evans, Leslie Odom, Jr., Kendra Kassebaum as Esparza’s scheming sister/partner, the beautiful singing, dancing Krystal Joy Brown, and the kid, Ackerman, who is a real find: he can act, sings like a bird, and is cute as a button.

The overall choreography by Sergio Trujillo is dynamic and innovative, directing by Christopher Ashley keeps the pace clicking and the movement flowing, and as the totally expected ending arrives, we have seen a rather entertaining show.