Ricky Martin posted a pic on his WhoSay page showing him in nothing but a T-shirt, his skivvies and shoes, and looking quite shocked.
No worries – all for a good cause.
The 40-year-old will be auctioning off his trousers for charity to help benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the nonprofit that’s actively raised funds to help AIDS-related causes for more than two decades now.
“We even ended up auctioning my pants WTF!!! LOL Terminamos subastando hasta mis pantalones jajaja @BCEFA,” the star tweeted.
Ricky Martin may be headed to the small screen after he completes his acclaimed run in the smash Broadway revival of Evita, according to Deadline.
The singer-actor has reportedly signed a talent holding deal with Universal Television to develop and star in a network television series and TV specials. Universal TV EVP Bela Bajaria is elated by Martin’s potential. “Ricky is an iconic superstar who is as talented as he is popular,” she says. “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.”
Looking forward to the new cast recording of EVITA with Ricky Martin to be released June 19th.
Reviews were strong for the production and tickets sales have been very strong with close to sold out performances. Lord knows, Broadway loves a big start and they’ve got that with Ricky Martin.
Ricky Martin is joined in this clip by Elena Rogers as Eva and Michael Cerveris as Juan Perón in a performance of “High Flying Adored,” a song from the beloved musical that sees Martin’s character Che mocking Argentinean first lady Eva Peron.
During the broadcast it was announced that the 2012 Broadway Cast recording of the show will be released on June 19th.
Ricky Martin is easily the best thing about this revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s bio of Eva Peron, which opened Thursday at the Marquis Theatre. He sings beautifully, dances gracefully, athletically climbs ladders, plays his role with a knowing sneer and elicits drools in his suspenders and tight white shirt. He even makes a mustache work.
In fact, maybe it’s time for Broadway to have a new rule: Put Ricky Martin in everything. He would fit in happily at “Newsies.” He would definitely enliven “Death of a Salesman.” Heck, put him in “Mary Poppins” and watch the roof really lift off.
The review goes on to praise Rob Ashford’s fantastic choreography and the sets and lighting (“Christopher Oram’s balconies, palace facade and a piazza – all warmly lit by Neil Austin – are stunningly lifelike and rich”).
I’ll be seeing this April 26th – can’t wait. Rob Ashford’s choreography looks great in the video.
Love the score, love the idea of a fresh version of the show, and who doesn’t want to meet Ricky Martin backstage?
A few reviews:
Elysa Gardner, USA Today: Though Rogers’ voice isn’t strong, her singing has a raw ache and folky authenticity. She also moves like a gazelle, reinforcing Eva’s beguiling sensuality and adding further sparkle to Ashford’s earthy, vibrant dance numbers. The narrator, Che, isn’t presented as the flamboyant revolutionary (based on Che Guevera) he became under Harold Prince’s original direction. A charming Ricky Martin plays the character more as an amused, sometimes sympathetic spectator; though critical of Eva, as Rice’s lyrics demand, he also conveys a certain tenderness.
Mark Kennedy, Associated Press: Much of the buzz coming from the new revival “Evita” has been about the spitfire Argentine playing the title role. But all of the heat actually comes from the guy shaking his bon-bon. Ricky Martin is easily the best thing about this revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s bio of Eva Peron, which opened Thursday at the Marquis Theatre. He sings beautifully, dances gracefully, athletically climbs ladders, plays his role with a knowing sneer and elicits drools in his suspenders and tight white shirt. He even makes a mustache work. In fact, maybe it’s time for Broadway to have a new rule: Put Ricky Martin in everything. He would fit in happily at “Newsies.” He would definitely enliven “Death of a Salesman.” Heck, put him in “Mary Poppins” and watch the roof really lift off.
Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal: Never having seen Harold Prince’s much-admired original production of “Evita,” I’m not in a position to compare it to this one, and in a way I’m glad. Despite the inadequacies of its nominal star, Mr. Grandage’s “Evita” is an impressive achievement that should be judged on its own merits, which are legion. Even if you don’t like Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music, it will hold your eye from curtain to curtain.
Until this year’s guest appearance on Glee, Martin hadn’t acted since Les Misérables. Glee cocreator Ryan Murphy, a fan of Martin’s, had pursued the singer and wrote the episode specifically for him. “He has such star power,” Murphy says. “Even the straight boys in the cast were just gob-smacked by his confidence and said if they ever turned, it would be for Ricky Martin.”
The pleasant experience Martin had on Glee makes him wonder why he’d waited so long to return to acting. “I was very busy with so many things that I didn’t realize I missed acting,” he says, before adding with a laugh, “This had to happen.”
Martin is referring to the Broadway revival of Evita, which will open this month. The performer, who made his debut on the Great White Way nearly 16 years ago (as the love-struck Marius in Les Misérables), will headline this reportedly sexier restaging of Evita as Che, the rebellious voice of the people and antagonist to Argentinean first lady Eva Perón.
Che’s conflicting emotions are appealing to Martin. “I get to feel many things. I can go from anger to love to uncertainty within 30 minutes of the show,” he says. “That’s amazing because that’s what my life has been about for the last three years—feeling. Not sabotaging any kind of emotions. Letting everything just come through me and verbalize it. It’s a very spiritual exercise that I’ll do every night.”
But it’s the common cause Martin finds in his character’s desire to correct social injustices that really inspires him. “The man I’m portraying is all about the people and working for human rights,” Martin says. With the Ricky Martin Foundation, an organization committed to ending human trafficking and the exploitation of children, Martin too has been working for human rights. “And since I came out, I’ve been verbal about the importance of equality and what needs to be said. That’s what Che is about too. That is going to be my inspiration, my motivation every night.”
Really liked the lighting and love that Santana is featured here. Of course, Ricky Martin is always nice to look at too. He’s a talented guy and has a real star quality.
But past all that, the sequence seems to fall a bit flat. Starts out cool, then doesn’t really seem to go anywhere.
In the episode titled “The Spanish Teacher,” which airs February 7, Will (Matthew Morrison) gives the glee club a Spanish-singing assignment, and enlists the help of a teacher, played by Martin.
The talented Latin heartthrob, who will soon headline a Broadway revival of Evita, is expected to perform a rendition of LMFAO’s “I’m Sexy and I Know It,” as well as another song.
