Original Broadway Cast, 2012 (Ghostlight) (3 / 5) Leap of Faith endured a critical drubbing when it opened on Broadway in 2012, receiving multiple pans for the music by Alan Menken, the lyrics by Glenn Slater, and the book by Janus Cercone (who wrote the screenplay for the 1992 film upon which the musical is based) and Warren Leight. Despite the brevity of the show’s Broadway run, the cast album shines a spotlight on Raúl Esparza’s captivating performance as “Reverend” Jonas Nightingale, a charismatic con man who leads a gospel choir and poses as a minister to swindle small town people. His songs anchor the recording, showcasing his remarkable vocal range and acting chops. Esparza masterfully embodies Jonas’s dual nature as the slick, manipulative showman who can whip a crowd into a frenzy with numbers such as “Step Into the Light” and the vulnerable, conflicted man beneath the facade, particularly evident in the introspective “Jonas’ Soliloquy.” Beyond his magnetic presence, the album features Jessica Phillips as the pragmatic and wary sheriff Marla McGowan; her strong delivery of “Fox in the Henhouse” and “Long Past Dreamin'” convey Marla’s intelligence and resilience, and her chemistry with Esparza is palpable even in an audio-only recording. Kendra Kassebaum, as Jonas’s cynical yet loyal sister Sam, offers a sharp, witty performance. The “Angels of Mercy” choir, led by the powerful voice of Kecia Lewis as Ida Mae, elevates the gospel numbers, and a young Leslie Odom Jr. offers smooth vocals as Isaiah, one of the members of the choir who has grown skeptical of Nightingale. The majority of Menken’s score, while perhaps not reaching the iconic heights of his Disney catalog, provides an engaging listen on the album. Tracks such as the opening number, “Rise Up,” pulsate with gospel energy, but on the other hand, the ballads are of mixed quality, often suffering from tired clichés. Overall, while Leap of Faith may not have been a critical darling, this cast album ultimately succeeds by spotlighting powerful performances and a score that, in its best moments, will make you a true believer. — Forrest Hutchinson
Original Broadway Cast, 2012 (Ghostlight) 
(3 / 5) Leap of Faith endured a critical drubbing when it opened on Broadway in 2012, receiving multiple pans for the music by Alan Menken, the lyrics by Glenn Slater, and the book by Janus Cercone (who wrote the screenplay for the 1992 film upon which the musical is based) and Warren Leight. Despite the brevity of the show’s Broadway run, the cast album shines a spotlight on Raúl Esparza’s captivating performance as “Reverend” Jonas Nightingale, a charismatic con man who leads a gospel choir and poses as a minister to swindle small town people. His songs anchor the recording, showcasing his remarkable vocal range and acting chops. Esparza masterfully embodies Jonas’s dual nature as the slick, manipulative showman who can whip a crowd into a frenzy with numbers such as “Step Into the Light” and the vulnerable, conflicted man beneath the facade, particularly evident in the introspective “Jonas’ Soliloquy.” Beyond his magnetic presence, the album features Jessica Phillips as the pragmatic and wary sheriff Marla McGowan; her strong delivery of “Fox in the Henhouse” and “Long Past Dreamin'” convey Marla’s intelligence and resilience, and her chemistry with Esparza is palpable even in an audio-only recording. Kendra Kassebaum, as Jonas’s cynical yet loyal sister Sam, offers a sharp, witty performance. The “Angels of Mercy” choir, led by the powerful voice of Kecia Lewis as Ida Mae, elevates the gospel numbers, and a young Leslie Odom Jr. offers smooth vocals as Isaiah, one of the members of the choir who has grown skeptical of Nightingale. The majority of Menken’s score, while perhaps not reaching the iconic heights of his Disney catalog, provides an engaging listen on the album. Tracks such as the opening number, “Rise Up,” pulsate with gospel energy, but on the other hand, the ballads are of mixed quality, often suffering from tired clichés. Overall, while Leap of Faith may not have been a critical darling, this cast album ultimately succeeds by spotlighting powerful performances and a score that, in its best moments, will make you a true believer. — Forrest Hutchinson