LESTAT -- Dare I Ask?

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 1:58pm

Given the scorching flames on this topic earlier this month, just prior to and immediately following the show's press night, I wonder if anyone has seen it recently and could offer some insights as to what's changed. The producers have started running television commercials here in New York, so I wonder how "real" the transfer is likely to be and whether word of mouth will improve. Folks in the Bay Area, please enlighten us. Thanks!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 2:06pm

I saw the show a week into previews and then about a month later. There is overall tightening of the flow, but the show still plods along. Luckily, the most wretched song of Act 1, "In Paris," has been shortened and condensed, and some of the scenery stuff that didn't work in the first week has been changed. The stupid finale also makes more sense, but is still weird.

Unfortunately, none of these are very major. They were noticeable to me, though, and the show was (or at least, is) definitely improving. Still, almost anything would've been an improvement...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 2:07pm

There are a couple of recent reviews (positive and negative) on the ATC West Coast board

[justme2]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 2:24pm

I saw it December 10th, and plan to see it again by the end of this weekend. In December, it was a show that was obviously still trying to find it's core. The story, while easy to follow (for someone who didn't read the books), was all over the place character wise. I was never sure of who I was supposed to be "rooting" for.

The sets, as Lizzie mentioned above, were not great. I found myself distracted by the lack of them. The Projections of the "thoughts of the victims" as Lestat took them did not bother me as much as it did others. I could see what the show was trying to say, but it needs clearer images. Too much time was spent trying to figure out what I was looking at, at that detracts attention from the actors in the scene.

The acting was good. All leads were enjoyable and had good singing ability. I particulary enjoyed hearing Carmello singing live. The songs were just ok. The first act songs all sounded alike to me, with a lot of "dialogue as singing" going on. Crimson Kiss is the only song I actually liked, and I can't remember any of the act two songs other than Sail Away. The only reason I remember this one is because Panero was singing it while standing on something that looked to me to be a huge ship mast on a tiny island. My binoculars told me it was actually supposed to be a ship's mast with waves cresting underneath it. It didn't work and ended up looking ridiculous.

There is definitely a chance for this show to be good. It just needs more time and work. As an audience member, I wanted to see a more cohesive storyline, sets instead of bare stage and ships mast or columns, and songs that matched the characters emotions a little better. Can they do it? I have no idea, but after seeing shows like Titanic make it to Broadway, I'm not going to guess on Lestat's fate.

I suppose I didn't have as much trouble as other posters because I went in realizing I was going to be watching a work in progress. That's why I plan to see it this weekend as well. I want to see what the end result of the out of town tryout looks like before writing the production off as a failure.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 2:58pm

I'm seeing it this weekend too.

INSANELY curious. Emphasis on the "insane" part.

I feel bad for the whole cast. It's not their fault; they're doing their best with mediocre material.

[EAD1974]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 3:34pm

Hey All;
I joined this message board last month just to get early reviews of Lestat, as I am a huge fan of the novels and wanted to get a heads up...obviously, I was VERY dismayed when most of the reviews turned out to be so negative. When I went to see the show last week ( the 19th )I was seriously expecting the SHOWGIRLS of musicals. Well, while I agree the show needs a lot of changes, at least as a fan of the books I was very happy with the show and it's faithfullness to the source material. In fact, everyone in my group enjoyed it. I totally agree that some songs need to be cut out ( Sail Me Away especially ) and there needs to be way more in the way of physical sets and props...hopefully that will happen when it gets to Broadway. I loved most of the cast as well, especially Gabrielle, Claudia and Armand. Lestat I thought was great too...although he really needs an "I Want" song near the begining of the show, so people who have never read the books can connect with him. I think he really shines in Act II when he's a bit more of a bastard, frankly. Marius, however, I can do without ( the actor, not the character ) The actor who is portraying him now acts like he's in the King and I, with all his posturing and pronouncments and cheesy voice. Still, it would have pissed me off more if Marius were not in it at all, so whatever. I really loved the Dave Meckean films that represent the "Swoon". Those I think are really unique and inventive. They should keep those for sure. I agree that not all of the songs are memorable ( Although I really loved Make Me As You Are, The Crimson Kiss, I Want More, I'll Never Have That Chance, To Kill Your Kind and After All This Time ) The other songs really are just there to tell the story, and they do that fine. Every song doesn't have to be a show stopper in my book. It seems to me ( and the truth is, I've only seen 5 or 6 Broadway Musicals ) a lot of the more popular shows are lots of catchy numbers with very thin stories. Here the problem is too much story maybe, which I think will be offputting to the casual theater-goer. It's not exactly a "feel good" show, which is fine by me lol. I hope it makes it on Broadway, but with this much negative buzz going in, It will be difficult. Oh well..at least I got the opportunity to get a lot of merchandise that says Lestat on it...as an Anne Rice fan that alone was worth it. That's my 2 cents.

[broadwaygiant19122]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 3:38pm

what merchandise did you buy?

[EAD1974]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 3:43pm

I got the shirt and the leather bracelet..oh, and a program too. ( when I was a teengaer I would have done anything to get stuff that said Lestat on it, so my inner 15 year old was really happy lol ) Still want a poster though.

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 3:55pm

I saw it this past Saturday. It's a gigantic mess of a show and it should close now. I will be very surprised if it does indeed go to Broadway. If it does, it will close FAST.



Updated On: 1/25/06 at 03:55 PM

[lovinlife]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:03pm

I try to not pay attention to reviews. Aida did not even have one good word said about it and Cats was the same! I so happen to adore both musicals! I hope this show does well and cant wait to gather my own opinion when it opens at the Palace.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:10pm

There's absolutely nothing salvageable about the show. The only suggestions I could possibly make are (1) throw out 75% of the score, (2) write a new book that doesn't try to cram three novels' worth of story into one musical, (3) get rid of Hugh Panaro NOW -- I've never seen a cheesier, more one-note performance in my life -- and replace him with someone with some charisma and some level of edgy sexuality, and most importantly (4) hire a new director, preferable one who will just let the actors speak instead of drawing out ever other syllable in an oddly affected cartoony style.

Oh, they can keep Drew Sarich and Carolee Carmello.

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:12pm

I want more! I want more! I want more-ore-ore-ore!

MYB is brilliant! :)

[Smartful Dodger]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:28pm

Like I suggested, dare I ask? Seems not much has changed, although there is still a good six weeks to deal with things in between the time it closes this weekend and lands at the Palace on 11 March. A friend of mine is a huge fan of Rice's books, so I bought him and his wife tickets for the first preview.

Honestly, I'm surprised that a creative team with such an incredibly successful record and prized pedigree could land so far from the mark. I thought BILLY ELLIOT demonstrated a remarkable evolution in Elton John's ability to craft music for the narrative arcs of musical theatre; maybe the credit there should be given to others on the team, namely the director and lyricist, who both created the original film at Working Pictures.

Between Ms. Rice's Christian renewal and Sir Elton's nuptials last month, a couple of key players may be more than slightly distracted. We'll see.

[justme2]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 4:37pm

Keep in mind...all these "reviews" are of a show still in progress. I wouldn't count it out until it's in mid previews in New York. That's when it'll be too late for any big changes.

[EVIE]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:01pm

Good or bad, I am very excited to be seeing it this Sunday!

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:15pm

is hugh panaro really bad in this? he seemed like he could do it with his phantom experience and all, but im not too sure after what i just heard... maybe the role is just not right for him

[justme2]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:20pm

I thought he was just fine. So did my friends who have seen the show. His singing was great, and we had no problem with his acting. It was the story we had problems with.

[Shawk]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:38pm

When I saw it very early in previews, he was using this very strange, deliberate accent which I felt made it hard to connect with the character. I can only imagine that he was directed to do so.

I understand that he doesn't speak like that now, however, and his singing is fantastic.

Updated On: 1/25/06 at 06:38 PM

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:41pm

Yes, his singing is technically fantastic...just not right for this role, I don't think. It needs an Adam Pascal, or Patrick Wilson, or Steve Pasquale. Someone with some bite to their voice. Hugh is just too...pretty.

[Shawk]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:42pm

Too... Legolas?

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:45pm

Actually...YES!!

And that strange deliberate accent is still there. In fact, it's there throughout the cast, and it's just cheesy.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:51pm

So I've heard the score is bad, but I really like that music that plays on the website. I hope it makes it to Broadway and at least gets recorded. I think with Elton John behind it, it will do okay for a couple months.

[Shawk]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:56pm

My best guess would be that someone thinks the accent conveys a sweeping, epic sense. I would have to say that I feel that this person is totally wrong.

[justme2]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 6:59pm

I don't know if I'd say the music is "bad", just kinda boring (IMO). All"dialogue as singing" style of songs that is used for nearly all of Act One. Apparently, Elton won't be changing his music, so I don't know how much, if anything, will be changed before it opens on Broadway.

Crimson Kiss may be the only breakout song for the show (at this point). Is that the song you heard in the video?

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 1/25/06 at 7:01pm

I agree with justme2. The score in Act 1 is very dull and indistinguishable. Act 2 is full of great pop songs, but they don't have anything to do with the style (or lack thereof) established in Act 1. It's almost like each act had a different composer.