Any Lestat Supporters?

[SahDu]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 2:06am

So I saw Lestat on its second night in previews and I actually enjoyed it. It wasnt the best I've ever seen (that came the next night at Sweeney :)) but I didnt feel it was terrible. Granted the first few scenes need some work and some of the songs weren't up to par, but I really enjoyed the performances of Hugh Panaro, Carolee Carmello, Drew Sarich, and especially Allison Fischer. I definitely didnt feel it warranted as much negative attention as it seems to be receiving here. Perhaps its bound to happen due to the "Vampire Musical" stigma?

Updated On: 2/15/14 at 02:06 AM

[Janelle188]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 3:32am

I'll come out of the woodwork and agree with you. No, it was not the best musical I've ever seen, or even heard, for that matter. It was, however, not as bad as everyone keeps saying, in my opinion. I also thought Alison Fischer was really very good. Especially in her second song. Drew Sarich was a bit boring through the first act but I really thought he was good in the second. His songs were better suited to show off his voice in the second act, I think. I'm not a huge Carolee Carmello fan, but I actually didn't mind her in this particular show. All in all, I kind of liked it. Like I said, it's not the best, but they can try and work that out. If they can't, oh well. Hugh Panaro really seems as if, despite his struggles, he's giving it all he's got and I find that admirable. Then again, I'm no expert and, hile I have a lot of recordings, I don't see too many shows. I mean, I've seen quite a few, but I don't live in NY, I live in California, so I'm a bit limited. :) So, I'm by no means an expert. I just wanted to throw my voice in the ring, because I noticed your post and I've kind of felt the same way as I've read all of the awful reviews people have had of it. Not to say they're not justified. Everyone's entitled to feel however they want about a show. It's really the most important thing, I believe. I just thought I'd lend my voice. Anyway, I'll go back to lurking now. Hope you find more people to agree with you.

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:01am

Alison Fischer was good.

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:08am

I haven't seen it yet and I don't think I'll love it, but for what it's worth, I'm rooting for this show. More because I love Carolee Carmello more than anything, but I would like to see Lestat do well. And knowing me, I'll probably see it a couple times. That's how I roll with Carolee shows.

[Becky2]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:24am

Well, I'm definetly a Hugh Panaro supporter :)

I haven't seen it yet, but I've heard a few songs and they weren't as bad as I expected.

[fishergirl819]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:26am

I saw the first preview, and while I recognize that its a flawed show that still needs some work, I really, really enjoyed myself. I went in there expecting to see this huge pile of crap (only went for Jim Stanek, whom I adore), but my friends and I walked out of there having REALLY enjoyed ourselves. We really had a good time, and once the show really got going, it was REALLY good. Like I said, its flawed and needs work, but we loved it.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 8:39am

I hated the show, but I personally really hope that it can somehow pull through. I loved the books.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:33am

Yes, me, hi.

I really enjoyed Lestat... I thought the performances were really very good, and the story is captivating, no matter what you think of Elton John's score.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:37am

Scheduled to see last preview

Going into it with an open mind

[broadway4me]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:46am

I really liked it as well! Yeah, there are a few places where it drags just a bit (I think most shows have these moments) but overall I really enjoyed it. The music is beautiful, and the cast is so talented. Many of the songs are stuck in my head, and I can't wait for the cast recording. Hugh Panaro, Allison Fisher, and Drew Sarich (not sure of all of their sp) have especially gorgeous voices. I enjoyed this show more than a couple other overhyped *praised* shows that I've seen on Broadway. I think that some people just want to rip it because it's a "vampire musical" and want to see it fail no matter what. I will say that the cast of Lestat is one of the best that I've ever seen, and I hope that the show is a success!

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 10:40am

I also have yet to see it, but I want it to do good. I'll be seeing it after it opens.

[mwjr16]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 3:48pm

I never said that it was bad, I enjoyed it just for the reasons that it wasn't as good and I was pleased with the performances and some of the songs. I mean this show just needs a lot of work. It will become a cult classic just like Carrie.

[jarretSF]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 3:50pm

Bring on the vipers :)

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 5:16pm

I too, enjoyed the show when I saw it in SF, and am looking forward to it in NY. =) Again as others have mentioned, not the greatest piece of theatre ever created and it has some problems. But the cast, visuals and music are definately enough to keep me happy and support the show. I'm sad it's been attacked the way it has been, it's not a terrible show by any means.

[wallowinbathtubgin]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 6:02pm

Definitely a big Lestat supporter. I was really nervous, but maybe that's part of why I love it as much as I do. I expected to be disappointed, and when it didn't suck, I was pleasantly surprised. The performances (along with a good deal of the music) are honestly what make this show so great in my eyes. The dialogue/story/etc. are lacking, but I look forward to seeing in NY (as I've only seen the SF version of the show).

Then again... what do I know? I thought last year's Miracle Brothers was unique and clever and worth three viewings in one week. I sincerely doubt my opinion could ever carry much weight on a board like this, haha.

[Shawk]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 6:07pm

I supported Lestat in that I saw it twice in the SF previews. That's more money than I want to think about, frankly...

I wanted to support it as a good musical, but I'm afraid I can't. The performers are excellent, but the material needed a lot of help that I'm not sure it got. Good luck to it, though.

Viper #2

Posted: 4/3/06 at 7:10pm

Lestat supporter here as well! While it's not going to become my favorite show or a classic, it is quite enjoyable and intriguing. I've seen a mess load of shows, and this is NOT the worst (as people keep pointing out)! In my opinion at least...

Granted I have yet to see the NYC version, but from the SF production I thought the score was quite beautiful. After a couple times watching the show I realized how pretty the piano/violin musical interludes between each scene are. The cast is AMAZING (yes, Hugh included)! And with some changes to the book and direction, it can be great. So here's a toast to Lestat! May it have a successful run on Broadway.

~Rosalynn
Updated On: 4/3/06 at 07:10 PM

[faithanytwo]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 7:21pm

I've bought tickets for the summer, if it lasts until then. I'm afraid that's the only type of support I can give it right now without seeing the show yet.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 7:29pm

It really really really sucks! No ifs, ands or buts about it.

Jim the Lestat Viper

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:12pm

Yeah, I'm keeping my fingers crosses that it's around long enough for me to see it.

I hope the really awful word of mouth hasn't been enough to scare off potential viewers, because there are quite a few of us who really enjoyed ourselves. So hopefully everyone will give it a chance and go see it.

[EAD1974]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:34pm

Count me in as well;

I'm usually just a lurker around here, mostly because my knowledge of musicals is limited to those I have seen, nameley Wicked, Ave. Q, Hairspray, Rent, Chicago, Phantom, Lion King, Cats ( I was 9, don't lynch me ) and most recently Lestat in SF. ( and soon Spelling Bee! ) I don't like to listen to Cast albums until after I see a show as I don't like it ruining the experience for me. That's just how I am. So because that is my whole knowledge of Broadway musicals right there, I feel Ill equipped to defend Lestat because I feel my knowledge is not as vast as a lot of people around here, yet I find myself doing it quite a bit because I really love the show despite it's flaws. As a huge lover of the novels, I was really a thrill for me to see them played out on stage with so much faithfullness and respect. I'm glad that they kept it serious, instead of making every song a bubbly "I Want More" ( Which I loved btw, It's just that you can't have a whole show of just comic relief songs )Having said that though, I'm glad I saw the SF version as it seemed to be more like the books than the NY version from what I hear. If the changes help make it a success, great, but if they change it to something unrecognizable just to satisfy Joe Six Pack and Molly Punch-Clock, then I would rather they just end it now. And I feel that alot of the people who hate the show are more into stuff that I wouldn't be to into; my tastes have always been a little left of center. But there are a lot more of them than those like me, which bodes badly for Lestat, sadly.

[rock00]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 9:57pm

Really, REALLY wanted to like it, but it's just a mess. The SF version was much closer to a good show (despite it's problems). Having said that, Hugh Panaro sings the hell out of the score (even if his acting leaves a lot to be desired) and several of the songs have been stuck in my head, so I'll give it that.

I say if you can get cheap seats, then go. It's worth seeing if for no other reason than to form your own opinion. However, I personally wouldn't recommend paying top dollar for it.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/3/06 at 11:30pm

New Production Photos!

http://forum.lestatmusical.com/index.php?gettopic=447&p=1#3672

All I can say is, who they hell changed Drew's wig?! It looks terrible now. It was fantastic in SF.