Raúl Esparza to Star in Hollywood Bowl Production of “Jesus Christ Superstar”

Raúl Esparza has landed a Superstar role…

The 54-year-old Cuban American actor, considered one of Broadway‘s most prominent leading men since the 2000s, has joined the cast of next month’s Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar, starring the Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert.

Raul EsparzaEsparza will play Pontius Pilate. Erivo is playing Jesus and Lambert is Judas.

Additional casting will be announced.

Sergio Trujillo directs.

The Andrew Lloyd WebberTim Rice musical will be performed on Friday, August 1, at 8:00 pm; Saturday, August 2, at 8:00 pm; and Sunday, August 3, at 7:30 pm.

Esparza’s many stage credits include Tony-nominated performances in Broadway’s Taboo (2005), Company (2007) The Homecoming (2008), and Speed-the-Plow (2009).

Other theater credits include Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins and Evita.

On television, Esparza can currently be seen in Hulu’s limited series Candy, and he is perhaps best known for his long-running role of Rafael Barba in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

His film credits include Sean Durkin’s Martha Marcy May Marlene, Jonathan Ullman’s Trouble in the Heights, Wes Craven’s My Soul to Take and Sidney Lumet’s Find Me Guilty.

“Evita” Star Rachel Zegler Wows West End Passersby with Balcony “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” Performance

Rachel Zegler is expanding her audience on the West End beyond the theater…

In a new production of Evita, one of the 24-year-old Colombian American Golden Globe-winning actress and singer’s biggest moments isn’t on the stage.

Rachel ZeglerMidway through the show, Zegler, playing Argentine first lady Eva Perón, emerges onto an exterior balcony at the London Palladium and sings “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” to whoever is passing by below.

The performance is streamed back on video to the audience inside.

News has spread quickly since the show began previews this week, and hundreds have gathered outside the historic venue in London’s West End to enjoy the free serenade by the Snow White star.

The show’s composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, said that it makes for “an extraordinary moment” in his musical about a woman who rose from poverty to power and was adored by the masses.

“Within the theater, it’s really exciting because suddenly you see her with a genuine huge crowd, which you can’t do onstage,” Lloyd Webber told The Associated Press. “I think there will be people who are disappointed that she hasn’t sung it live in the theater, but I think it’s going to be greatly outweighed by the theatricality of using film in that way.”

The decision by director Jamie Lloyd has sparked some grumbling from ticketholders who paid up to 245 pounds ($330) for a seat, only for the musical’s most famous number to be sung offstage.

It’s a technique Lloyd has used before. He had a character in Sunset Boulevard perform a song while walking down the street outside the theater, and his production of Romeo and Juliet saw star Tom Holland play a key scene on the theater roof.

Theater blogger Carl Woodward told the BBC that he could understand why some theatregoers who’d forked out for a ticket felt “a bit aggrieved,” since “a trip to the theater for some is really a once-a-year occasion.”

But Lloyd Webber cited an opinion piece in The Times of London noting that the gesture is “kind of what Eva Perón would have wanted — that people are actually experiencing her big anthem, as it were, for free.”

Eric Anthony Lopez Signs with Reload Management

Eric Anthony Lopez is reloading 

The Puerto Rican actor has signed with Reload Management.

Eric Anthony LopezLopez is best known for starring in the Disney Studios original film Chang Can Dunk.

He’s also known for his work on stage.

He made his Broadway debut as Passarino in The Phantom of The Opera, directed by Harold Prince and starred as Tony in The Chicago Revival of Terrence McNally’s Master Class.

He is currently attached to the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, directed by Sammi Cannold.

Lopez continues to be repped by Natasha Matallana of Take 3 Talent and KAPR.

Antonio Banderas to Star in “Banshee”

Antonio Banderas has landed a spirited role…

The 61-year-old Spanish Oscar-nominated actor has joined the cast of Banshee, which will also star Jaime King and Tommy Flanagan.

Antonio Banderas

Hailing from director Jon Keeyes, the film follows a freelance assassin, codenamed Banshee (King), who is ambushed by Anthony Greene (Flanagan), a powerful mercenary who killed her father, and who is now seeking to collect a bounty on Caleb (Banderas), her former black ops mentor.

Caleb went underground five years prior, triggering a race against time as Banshee must find and protect Caleb before Greene and his army of hired killers can find him and take him down.

Banshee is a complex story of revenge and family, and having this incredibly talented cast to bring these characters to life is a dream,” Keeyes said.

“Banshee” is produced by Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman of Yale Productions, alongside Keeyes of Highland Myst, from a script by Matthew Rogers, who wrote the trio’s previous movie, The Survivalist.

Shaun Sanghani also serves as a producer on the film.

“We’re excited to have such as amazing cast for this wall-to-wall action movie,” said Yale Levine and Beckerman. “Antonio Banderas is a legend and having him alongside Jaime King and Tommy Flanagan in such a high-energy film is going to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.”

Banderas recently earned an Oscar nomination for his work in Pedro Almodovar’s Pain and Glory and also recently starred in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. Other credits include The Mask of Zorro, Desperado and Evita.

Banderas will next be seen starring in the upcoming Indiana Jones film, Uncharted, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Martin to Star in Ryan Murphy’s FX Limited Series “Versace: American Crime Story”

Ricky Martin is bracing for a life of American Crime

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor has been cast in Versace: American Crime Story, the third installment in the FX limited series from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson.

Ricky Martin

Martin, who starred on ABC’s General Hospital back in 1994-1995, will co-star opposite Édgar Rarmirez, Penélope Cruz and Darren Criss.

The 10-episode Versace examines the shocking July 1997 assassination of Gianni Versace (Ramirez) on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion by sociopath and serial killer Andrew Cunanan (Criss).

Martin will play Versace’s longtime partner Antonio D’Amico; Cruz plays Versace’s sister Donatella.

This is a reunion for Martin and Murphy, who first cast the Latin music superstar in an episode of his Fox series Glee.

Versace, from Fox 21 and FX Productions, is based on the book Vulgar Favors by Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth.

Tom Rob Smith is writing the first two and multiple subsequent episodes, and Murphy, who received an Emmy nomination for directing the opening episode of The People v. O.J. Simpsonwill direct the first hour.

Versace will begin production later this month in Los Angeles and Miami for a 2018 premiere. It will follow the second installment in the franchise, Katrina: American Crime Story.

American Crime Storys core producing team — Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, all Emmy winners for People v O.J. Simpson as Best Limited Series — executive produce Versace alongside Smith.

Martin has sold more than 70 million albums and has done runs on Broadway in Evita and Les Miserables. The “Livin’ la Vida Loca” singer’s most recent 10th studio album, 2015’s A Quien Quiera Escuchar, won Best Latin Pop Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards.

A dedicated global advocate for tolerance via his Ricky Martin Foundation, Martin can be seen in Las Vegas at his residency at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

Merediz to Star as George Lopez’s Mom in the FX Series “Saint George”

Olga Merediz is reuniting with her one-time co-star George Lopez

The 57-year-old Cuba-born Broadway, television and film actress, who appeared on ABC’s The George Lopez Show, has been cast in a series regular role on Lopez’s FX series Saint George, the 10-90 family sitcom from Lionsgate Television.

Olga Merediz

Merediz will play Lopez’s mother Alma, a feisty, combative and domineering woman with an acerbic wit.

Merediz, who originated the role of Abuela Claudia in the Broadway musical In the Heights and earned a Tony nomination for her inspired performance, recently appeared opposite Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling in the feature Place Beyond The Pines.

Merediz’s other film credits include Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Evita, Marvin’s Room and Music of the Heart, while her television credits include Netflix‘s big hit Orange is the New Black, Royal Pains, Blue Bloods, Pan Am and Law & Order SVU.

First Glimpse: Martin on “The Voice Australia”

Shakira may have taken over for Christina Aguilera on the upcoming edition of NBC’s The Voice… But she isn’t the only Hispanic artist coaching new singing  talent.

Last November Ricky Martin officially joined the cast of The Voice Australia, where he’ll serve a one of the show’s judges. The 41-year-old Puerto Rican “Livin’ la Vida Loca” singer replaces country superstar Keith Urban, who joined Mariah Carey on American Idol.

Ricky Martin on The Voice Australia

And now Martin is giving his fans a first look at his work on The Voice Australia. He released on Twitter a teaser video from Australia’s Nine Network highlighting some of the blind auditions.

Martin, who recently wrapped up production on Broadway’s Evita, joins last year’s coaches Delta Goodrem, Seal and Joel Madden on the program, as they search for the best voice of Australia.

Martin to Serve as a Coach on Australia’s Version of “The Voice”

Ricky Martin will be discovering and cultivating talent Down Under…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor, who just announced he’ll be leaving the cast of Broadway’s Evita revival, has joined the coaches’ panel of Australia’s version of NBC’s The Voice.

Ricky Martin

When the show returns to Oz’s Nine Network next year, Martin will occupy the red chair vacated by country superstar Keith Urban when he joined American Idol as a judge this year.

The announcement was made on Nine’s A Current Affair program in Australia on Thursday after weeks of speculation.

Martin will join returning coaches Seal, Joel Madden and Delta Goodrem.

The inaugural season of the Australian version kicked off last April and consistently won its time slot to become a ratings powerhouse.

Nine’s Peter Wiltshire recently said the network will add hours of The Voice for next season. A debut date has yet to be announced.

The Voice is produced locally by Shine Australia.

Martin to Leave Broadway’s “Evita”

Ricky Martin will be taking his final bow on Broadway in early 2013…

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor will play his final performance as Che in the current revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Evita on January 26, 2013.

Ricky Martin in Evita

Argentine actress Elena Roger, who stars as Eva Perón, and Michael Cerveris, who plays Juan Perón, will also leave the cast, according to producers.

In his role, Martin – who recently won the title of “Sexiest Man on Broadway” in a poll by Broadway.com – created a character with a charming presence that remained commanding throughout the show.

“Evita 1 of the most amazing cycles of my career,” Martin tweeted this morning. “Discipline and growth…Thanks so much for your applause.”

Fans who came to the musical to see their idol up close on stage for two-and-a-half hours surely helped to make Evita a hit. The show broke the Broadway weekly box office sales record after only six performances. It has broken its own record six times since, earning $1,586,362 for eight consecutive performances.

A soundtrack album, released in June, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s cast album chart and was the top selling iTunes soundtrack in Argentina. The album has sold 10,000 copies to date in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

But it’s definitely not the last you’ll see of Martin…

The former Menudo member, who appeared earlier this year as Spanish teacher David Martinez on Glee, recently signed a deal with NBC/Universal‘s Universal Television to star in his own series. He has tweeted about plans to get back into the recording studio to make new music and he’s also planning to write a children’s book, according to his publicist.

Martin Signs Talent Holding Deal with Universal Television

Following his critically acclaimed appearance on Glee last season, Ricky Martin could be returning to the small screen in the near future.

The 40-year-old Puerto Rican singer has signed a talent holding deal with Universal Television to develop and star in his first network television series, as well as TV specials.

Ricky Martin

“Ricky is an iconic superstar who is as talented as he is popular,” said Universal TV EVP Bela Bajaria about Martin, who has been wowing audiences as Che Guevara on Broadway this year in the revival of the musical Evita. “Whether he’s performing before sold-out concert crowds, or starring on Broadway, where he is currently playing to SRO in Evita, Ricky connects with his audience in a very palpable way — and we are thrilled that he will be adding TV star to his incredible resume.”

The former Menudo member has previously guest starred on The Love Boat back in 1985, and appeared on General Hospital as the beloved character Miguel Morez from 1994–95.