Raul Esparza - Being Alive 

"Mock me with praise" gives me chills every time.

Raúl’s performance is so emotionally charged because apparently he was going through a divorce at the time. What an astounding actor

From a person who was there on this night, (a) I cannot believe it has been 15 years, (b) Raul was robbed, and (c) this night could never be redone. It was everything theater is meant to be. I still watch this and feel every moment.

To me this is the best version of Company in all aspects. It is less kitsch and "showy" and it really cuts to the core of what the show is about. The emotional depth is so much stronger.

Stephen Sondheim is seriously a musical genius.

Can you believe this was a live performance? Personally, I think this is better than the cast recording!

Please, someone cast him as Javert. I can already hear him *killing* Stars and The Confrontation.

play this at my funeral because this will be the thing that kills me anyway

I loved this version of Company. Having the actors as the musicians (they really were playing) gave the production a tighter feeling - everybody had to be involved in everything - and having Bobby not play an instrument demonstrated how he kept himself apart from marriage, until he was really ready to get married at the end.

Guys, I just want to say, I've met Mr. Esparza twice and recently took a class with him, and he is NOT arrogant, and he really knows what he's doing. He's very insightful about what a song means, and he's very nice. I understand disliking him as a performer, but you shouldn't bash him as a person. He's just trying to make a living!

How did he NOT win a Tony Award for this role again? I'm still not over him losing that year. This is my favorite version of the this perfect Broadway song. Sondheim+Raul= Perfection.

Does anyone cry when he yells stop? Like...he hasn't even started singing yet and you already know how he feels.

Rest in peace, Stephen Sondheim. Musical theatre was forever changed by your touch, you’ll be missed everyday.

How he lost the Tony that year baffles me ......

I only came here due to Drivers performance in Marriage Story. I was humbled and it intrigued me because the song definitely hit me below the belt (The "mock me with praise" line especially) However, Rauls emotion behind this performance managed to bring a few tears to my eyes. Slow... shameless manly head-nodding tears.

I love Neil Patrick Harris, but Raul Esparza is a much greater Bobby

I was lucky enough to have seen Mr. Esparza play Bobby. I've seen productions all over the world, and this was simply the best I've witnessed. Mr. Esparza, as someone said below, was perfect and it was a shame he did not win the Tony for this performance. He certainly deserved it.

Senor Esparza makes effective and heartbreaking use of what I have come to refer to as the "Esparza Growl." In this song, he uses it at the point when he sings "mock me with praise." It's a palpably visceral moment. I have not had the good fortune of seeing Raul Esparza perform live, only via TV various & RU-vid. Perhaps 'someday, somewhere.' Sorry folks. Had to do it. Couldn't help myself.

Coming from an outsider who found this song because of Glee (bash me if you like), I think this version is spectacular. I've only seen this one and NPH's but I will say this guy does something NPH couldn't maintain throughout and that was staying on-key. Not to mention, his intensity, in my opinion, was the perfect addition. I can't speak for the entire production, but this one song, very very good.

That was absolutely flawless. He adds these fascinating little mannerisms into the character that just totally drew me in. Coupled with his phenomenal voice, I was absolutely mesmerized.

great. now I've got another celebrity crush.

He has a beautiful Broadway style voice with a unique tone, he's sincere, he LISTENS to the lyrics--and he plays the piano!!! People what more do you want??!!

ADA Barba can sing!!! This is how he releases steam from all of those cases!!!

Raul Esparza can play the crap out of a character turning 30

I saw this in NY, and you really have to see the entire show in order to get Esparza's brilliant, amazing performance. His Bobby is diffident and almost emotionally suppressed until he finally lets go with this song and brings the house down. Anyone who thinks the kid from Glee is better than this is out of their minds. And by the way, with four Tony nominations and rave reviews for this role, Esparza hardly needs a publicist to make his case.

i have an obsession with raul's voice, i love it so much. i love the texture, and i love that it's so raw and you can feel the emotion. not every voice is perfect, and bobby's voice doesn't have to be. it has to be real. and raul is my favorite bobby i've ever heard.

“Mock me with praise “. Chills every time I hear it. Just amazing performance

I don't understand why people don't like Esparza's wonderful performance and say that Kurt did a better job on glee. I am sorry but this is one of those moments where people have no idea what they are talking about.

Not only did he pass the Bar exam, but DA Rafael Barba has excellent pitch!

Came here as soon as I learned of Stephen Sondheim's passing. A true genius and phenomenal artist, and this song will continue to bring me to tears in an entirely new way now.

the "mock me with praise" gets me every time

At first I thought Adam Driver was just messing around but it became so personal at the end. Brilliant Acting.

Rest In Peace Mr. Sondheim. You were truly the Shakespeare of Musical Theatre. A great loss, but an incredible life well lived…

Just listened to Neil Patrick Harris sing this in the NY Phil staged version. Different interpretation, but Raul's voice is just so much more powerful and visceral--totally different level of power and emotion. Love this version!

Best rendition of Being Alive.

la emoción que refleja cuando termina y el público entero lo ovaciona... es hermoso, el loco ha de pensar fa loko q capo q soy. toda la banda es uncreible, les salió perfecto es realmente impresionante

Someone to hold you too close Someone to hurt you too deep Someone to sit in your chair And ruin your sleep Someone to need you too much Someone to know you too well Someone to pull you up short To put you through hell Someone you have to let in Someone whose feelings you spare Someone who, like it or not Will want you to share A little a lot Someone to crowd you with love Someone to force you to care Someone to make you come through Who'll always be there As frightened as you Of being alive Being alive Being alive Being alive Somebody hold me too close Somebody hurt me too deep Somebody sit in my chair And ruin my sleep And make me aware Of being alive Being alive Somebody need me too much Somebody know me too well Somebody pull me up short And put me through hell And give me support For being alive Make me alive Make me alive Make me confused Mock me with praise Let me be used Vary my days But alone Is alone Not alive Somebody crowd me with love Somebody force me to care Somebody let me come through I'll always be there As frightened as you To help us survive Being alive Being alive Being alive

Raul's expressions after Amy says "Want SOMETHING." and he starts singing makes me want to cry and just hold him. They're so full of longing and pain. ARGH! SAD!!!!

First tick, tick... BOOM, then Company. This guy has really eventful birthdays.

heard this song in marriage story and I haven't been able to stop playing it since...

I saw the original with Dean Jones & also with Larry Kert (a favorite of mine.) But Raul Esparza brings something so different to this interpretation.He is so real. So believable as Bobby. He doesn't just go for the adorable side. He goes very deep. A great actor. He touched me so much. For those reasons, he has my vote.

Anyone else absolutely love the fact his voice is so imperfect? Makes his acting seem all the more real. Wish we saw more of it in pro theatre.

Raul performing this is the greatest piece of theatre I have ever seen.

I stumbled across this... and holy cow. As soon as I heard him yell "Stop" I stopped everything I was doing, put this on full screen, and was enraptured. Absolutely phenomenal performance. I continue to love everything he does. Goodness gracious.

His performance was so moving... moving enough to make me get over MY fear of commitment and start dating again, and fall in love. Only one person could have encouraged me to get over my fear just like Bobby, and that's Sondheim. Thank you Mr. Sondheim and Mr. Esparza. Brilliant show, brilliant song, brilliant performance.

I strongly encourage you to order a copy of the DVD from PBS. The way he portrays the character of Bobby in this production was simply stunning.

I'd love to see Raúl in Les Mis. Any role. In fact, all the roles!

No matter how many times I hear him do this - it's followed by a rush to the back of my neck and up to the tip of my head. I've heard many versions, but his is the most powerful. Love it and thank you, Mr. Esparza!

Breathtaking. I can't put my finger on what he brings to this role that makes it so... painful. I don't know. But it just hits me every time.

Coming back to this after learning Stephen Sondheim passed around an hour ago- heartbreaking. He was such a genius.

After just watching every different main version of Being Alive on youtube I have a reason why I think Raul Esparza's version works best. It comes down to the simple fact that it is a very conceptual musical, and when you treat it like it's not it falls flat. The reason The 2006 prediction works so well to me, is that it actively leans into it. No costume changes, all black. Minimal props and sets. It lands like it should. All inside your mind. It's not a show with close and coherent costume changes, it's bearly even got a timeline. When you add flashy costumes and set to it, it just comes off confusing.The fact that the actors play their own instruments adds another layer of brechtian alienation, though it has the effect of bringing it all closer.It gives all the couples something in common instead of just being random people in this life. It alienates the audience giving us the reminder of it existing inside our minds but also gives more of a sense of cohesion. The three girlfriends on the saxs. The complementing musical instruments. Bobby not playing until the end. It gives a throughline that is lacking in many productions, and that makes the weaker without it. I love the set as well, I think that company should always be set in a blackbox type, and the drama blacks. I think it was very cleaver for the costume designer to play with texture instead. Also Raul is phenomenal. he really has the ability to just fucking deliver a song without having to make it about him. His acting never feels put upon. He can truly, stand a sing. his nervous and tentative energy at the beginning. The active choice we see him make in opening the piano is so different from his confident assertions we see him make about marriage earlier in the play, hes nervous, and frankly he should be. It means he cares, which is his whole arc throughout.the change from thinking he's alright, and therefore not having to care and question his assertions, to actively being scared. He's not thinking it's going to be perfect. He's not looking for that anymore, hes not even expecting that from himself (another reason why him playing the piano is so interesting and demonstrative in this production.) hes not looking for his "warm Johann sweet jenny loving Susan crazy Amy" or for someone to "marry [him] a little" okay this is becoming a being alive appreciation post but I guess my love of it is how Raul keeps Bobby likable throughout while showing both. He delivers the confidence in the beginning and the terrifying vulnerability at the end while never playing it too hard. He just is. He is and he changes and when he changes you can forget you're even watching a play. I love his performance.

Everybody talking about Marriage story...... I came her for Raul ‼️‼️‼️

Two men who impress and inspire me so much with their talents: Christoph Waltz and Raul Esparza. Man.

I've read lots of comments about how Raul's voice is amazing but NPH makes you cry because of emotions. I mean people THIS GUY GIVES ME CHILLS THIS GUY MAKES ME SOB HARD. If you can't feel anything while he's singing, especially Being Alive, sorry but you don't have a soul.

This was an innovative version of "Company," with the performers playing the instruments. Sondheim was a genius and his art is open to many interpretations. Excellent performance of "Being Alive."

When I first saw this version of Company on PBS one night I was brought to tears at the end. I had no idea who Raul Esparza was or what the play was about. OMG. I still cry when I watch this ending.

I can’t describe how cathartic and intense this was to see him live do this. I was sobbing.

Yes, I came here because of a certain show, but that's the beauty of that show. It introduces a younger audience to musicals and important Broadway works they may not have investigated otherwise. Now I have a new Broadway show to add to my bucket list. I think that's a great thing.

Here immediately post-the news of his passing. He knew what being alive meant more than any of us.

I feel like the instruments are WAY underappreciated in this musical. The flute at the beginning gets me hella emotional :')

An absolutely stunning performance. Bravo, Raul!

Chilton has a hidden talent.

God, "make me with praise" always impresses me, no matter how many times I watch it

Every single time, I watch Raúl sing this song - it makes me cry!! That's how moving & passionate this man is when he sings - you feel it in your soul!

I was at this performance. Stood in line for hours to get rush tix. It was completely amazing.

i really appreciate the revival stripping this show down to it's bare essentials. a lot of productions just gloss over how sad bobby really is and this song in particular really shows how tortured he is

I don't think I will ever get over how incredible this performance is. Definitely my favorite version.

This is the best version of this song. Raul is so much better than other Bobby's (i.e NPH, John Barrowman, etc.) Here is why There is a difference between having vocal talent and being able to act. Raul shows both of these abilities in this number. Not only does he sing wonderfully, but he expresses true emotion and need, which I think this song calls for. NPH and Barrowman on the other hand, only really express their vocal abilities, while ignoring the acting that truly makes the song. Neither of them bring the emotion necessary for such a song, while Raul on the other hand makes Bobby seem real, and relatable to the audience.

Cut to the SVU team watching this on TV: “Damn, Barba! That’s one set of pipes!”

I love Raoul so much. He takes my breath away. His passion, his unpolished voice. It really speaks to me, as someone who is often crass and strident when in the throws of loneliness. When all the beautiful notes become hoarse screaming. It yanks on my inner turmoil like no smooth, sultry voice could.

His version for me is the best I can feel his emotion...the way he sang it gives me the chills This version of The Company is very different from the others and I love it

Still the best version of Being Alive after all these years. Thank you and rest in peace, Mr. Sondheim.

BEING ALIVE by Stephen Sondheim Someone to hold me too close. Someone to hurt me too deep. Someone to sit in my chair, And ruin my sleep, And make me aware, Of being alive. Being alive. Somebody need me too much. Somebody know me too well. Somebody pull me up short, And put me through hell, And give me support, For being alive. Make me alive. Make me alive. Make me confused. Mock me with praise. Let me be used. Vary my days. But alone, Is alone, Not alive. Somebody crowd me with love. Somebody force me to care. Somebody let me come through, I'll always be there, As frightened as you, To help us survive, Being alive. Being alive. Being alive!

How did I not realise this is A.D.A Barba in SVU until now?!?!?!?!

I'll never stop coming back to this performance. Rest in peace, Stephen. Thank you for the music ❤️

Never heard Raul Esparza sing before. Only know him as the best damn ADA Law and Order: SVU ever had.

I need to confess that the first time I heard of Mr. Esparza was in Law and order SVU but.. OMG, he sings... just .. AMAZING.. what a great voice he has I did not know

Esparza is actually my favorite bobby acting wise I love his comedic timing and his dead pan reactions towards the other actors though I'm not sure who I like more singing wise because Esparza and NPH have really good voices in their own respects

This is the ONLY version of this song that has made me tear up. It took my breath away

Hands down best version ever!

"Somebody crowd me with love. Somebody force me to care. Somebody let me come through, I'll always be there, As frightened as you, To help us survive, Being alive" Gets me every time.

This is the most powerful performance I've ever seen. I've never cried so much over a performance. I am so in love with this.

This is the best version of this song that I have ever seen.

Never fails to make me cry. I don’t know how a single song can encapsulate the human condition so thoroughly, so earnestly, and so sublimely. Genius composition and performance.

I love this so much~ When he says "Mock me with praise" I just- his voice is gorgeous

Is there no end.to this man's talents? He sings, he acts, he's bilingual and he plays the piano.

I always come back to this outstanding performance. I identify with this song.

I cry every single time I hear this. Every single fucking time. This is magnificent beyond descriptions.

How Raul Esparza lost the Tony to David Hyde Pierce ten years ago is BEYOND me.

This is just absolutely amahzing. I was in times square with my friend and she just whips around and half-screamed "RAUL ESPARZA!" and there he was. he shook my hand :)

the BEST “what do ya get” EVER

Just need to hear this version every now and then. Others pale to this version.

Stephen thank you for this gift

RIP Stephen. You may have left us but your music will live on forever.

I had no idea that Raffy Barba had so many fans who appreciate him as much as I do. He is magnificent.

having seen Neil Patrick Harris do this before, I have to say that Raul brings something really interesting to this song - there's more force within his vocals, more defiance in the way he performs it, whereas Neil does it in a more stripped back way, vocally not as strong but more believable emotionally perhaps... but Raul's version did blow me away - that's the joy of musical theatre, so many different ways of interpreting a song

This is again one of those moments where you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. This is the moment where he just snaps and lets out all of his heart and soul in this song... you can't possibly compare this performance to Kurt on glee just standing and singing his auto tuned little voice to this powerful of a performance.

something i don’t think we talk about enough is the breath at the very end of this clip !!! and his face while the people behind him are talking. it really pulls it all together

OMG. Perfection. This man embodies this gorgeous song like nothing I've seen. BRAVO!!!

You will not find a better Bobby than Raul Esparza. Full stop.