How to fix Lestat?

[MenzelManiac]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:30pm

So after seeing Lestat, I was feeling the same frustrations that a lot of people had felt.

When I heard that it was being made into a musical initially, I was really excited, then instantly apprehensive. If it were to go the same route as Dracula and Dance of the Vampires (both of which I'm sure the critics remember vividly), then I knew the show would be in trouble. Lestat needed to have a clear and distinct voice and vision in the world of vampire musicals if it were to be successful.

Well, it wasn't.

But, after seeing it, I think I see where the show could have been a little bit better.

People, myself included, had a hard time with the overt incestous undertones that existed between Gabrielle and Lestat. They also didn't think the plot between Nicolas and Lestat was strong enough. After seeing the show, I had an interesting idea.

Switch the storylines.

Make Nicolas the best friend who Lestat "makes" in order to be with him forever. Let Nicolas sing the song "Make Me As You Are" and then "Crimson Kiss". Having Nicolas then become corrupted by that power and leave Lestat. It satisfies the lackluster emotional romantic storyline that the current story provides, and also gives an explanation for why Lestat would shift his interest to Louis; ultimately this would give more depth to the Louis/Lestat relationship, and give a firmer understanding of Lestat's character (something I thought was very lacking). Allowing Nicolas to then return at the end of the show and will Lestat to walk again after his fall brings the story full-circle, something they tried to do with the character of Gabrielle that turned the audience (and critics) off.

Make Gabrielle the sick mother that Lestat "makes" to save her life. But after she is made, allow her to suffer the fate that Nicolas suffers in the current version. Too pure of heart to handle the "turn" of becoming a vampire, she would be left broken and near-crazy. This would eliminate the incestuous storyline as well.

The only re-writing that would have to be done would be small things here and there, and I think you'd have to add a song for Gabrielle in order to fill out her character a bit more. Working with an actress and singer like Carolee Carmello, you had better give her a song.

Now I'm not saying that these changes alone would save the show, especially when looking at the sub-standard Elton John pop-reliant score. I think, though, that changing the storyline in this way would give a bit more depth into characters who certainly lacked it, eliminate a lot of the discomfort that the critics and audience felt, and provide an easier flow through the course of a dense and sometimes over-inflated Anne Rice-driven storyline.

Anyone who has seen the show have an opinion here?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:32pm

It closed, so.... it's a little too late to fix it.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:34pm

Rest in Peace. Please.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:35pm

If you make Gabrielle crazy then there is no reason for her to sing CRIMSON KISS and then there is no reason to have Carolee Carmello and then there is no reason to see the show.

But it closed. So who cares.

[MenzelManiac]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:37pm

Like I said, with re-writes Nicolas would then sing Crimson Kiss, giving the show the romantic number it didn't have. Carolee would get a different song. I'm not a song-writer, so I have no clue what it would be.

I in no way think that this show should take out either "Crimson Kiss" or Carolee Carmello. I only think that there are smarter ways to use both of them. Smarter and more effective.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 12:57pm

Die already!

[MenzelManiac]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 1:18pm

I'm really just hoping to hear from people who have seen the show and have an opinion about these possible changes.

If you don't want to talk about Lestat, don't post. Hop over to the Carrie thread.

[BWAYboi_yes]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 2:14pm

Hmmm... I'm not sure, as I have not read the books, what was based on the work of Ms. Rice, and what wasn't. So, I'd be wary of changing whole huge character motivations and plotlines without reading the text. I think, truly, with a full rewrite, it could be very good. But it's so bad now, and I'm not sure who'd want to fix it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 2:16pm

I have read the books, and it would be messing too much with characters, history, motivations etc.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 2:57pm

Leave it the way it is. It'll do great in Europe.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 2:59pm

Please don't insult out European cousins. They have good taste, too.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 3:00pm

So many things do much better in Europe. As mellow as a European audience can be, they always pack in the houses and keep things running much longer.

[icantbelive]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 6:04pm

Do you know what is kind of weird. I cant remember the last time a vampire musical was not a flop.
Updated On: 6/6/06 at 06:04 PM

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 7:36pm

That's not weird. It is now a documented fact. Vampire musicals have trouble thriving on the blood of a new york audience. Metaphors!

[rocker05]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 7:57pm

This show was horrible, it was not meant to be funny and sadly that's what it ended up to be. I couldn't stop laughing during the show, especially when Marius appeared at the end of Act I, was it supposed to be scary?! I didn't feel anything for the characters at all, and in every song Lestat was singing, he was whining about everything. "The Thirst" was really creative...not. The best part of this show was the cast of course because of the great singing, but the acting is a whole different story. The other great aspect were the projections that made it somewhat interesting, and at times took away from the mediocrity of the show. DOTV while completely stupid (It even knew it was stupid) was a whole lot better than this show especially when it came to the score. Sorry Elton, but this show deserved to close after opening night. Please Lestat, live on Europe, but in New York, please die forever.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:03pm

O.K....Thanks for your opinion? Of course the show needs some work, but it was not terrible. There are some great aspects and some not so great aspects and it can be worked on.

[rocker05]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:12pm

I forgot to write that, sorry, but I'm not saying the show was this or that. I just thought, in my opinion, that the show had flaws that sort of ruined the whole thing. I think the main flaw was the book, the writing was bad. The score wasn't great either, but had it's moments such as "Right Before My Eyes". Maybe after the CD is released, the score might sound a bit better, which is usually the case with most shows, like for example, Carrie (well..not every song). The cast was great, but in my opinion, the show needed a lot more revision. If it's fixed up ALOT, it could work in Europe.

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:17pm

I agree that Lestat's book needed so much work! IMO, the music and most of the lyrics, were really great, but there was a lack of emotional attachment to the characters and concisiveness in the book's plot.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:21pm

"IMO, the music and most of the lyrics, were really great".

LOL! Good one. And yes, before I am personally attacked again, I am allowed to comment as long as you folks keep commenting on how great it was when it really was not. Anyway, to each his own.

[bryan]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:43pm

i hope they come out with the cast cd soon.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:51pm

I heard Lestat on XM Radio a couple of days ago.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:58pm

DIE!! DIE!!! GOD IN HEAVEN DIE!!!
YOU? CAN IT BE?? ALL THE DEMONS IN HELL COME TO TORMENT ME!

[tophertilson]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 8:59pm

How to fix LESTAT? "Fire" springs to mind.

TT

[All_For_Laura]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 9:04pm

I like the sweeney quotage!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/6/06 at 9:09pm

You're cousins can't be too mellow if they like Dracula. jk.

I actually really enjoyed Lestat, and I think, as mean as this sounds, I liked it because it was so bad.