Lestat = Le Bad

[SFJPS]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 1:29pm

Okay, it's only been a week but...this show doesn't work. Lestat is such an egotistical character as portrayed in this show--throughout the entire show--that one never has sympathy or empathy for his struggle. The struggle is clear but it never becomes interesting or compelling as to why we should care.

Panero works his butt off and is on stage nearly the entire night. You can't fault him, he's getting the character.

Carmello is great in her role as Gabrielle. The show comes alive in the third scene when she transforms into a vampire. But we only see her in the first act--so her amazing talent is not used to its full capacity.

The music is romantically lilting in the first act, pop in the second. It's a disconnect that doesn't work well. The music and lyrics are thin and the ensemble staging weak(recall "Murder, Murder" from the opeing of act ii in J&H).

It's interesting to look at, with multi-media elements used throughout. Costumes are rich.

The show will have appeal to Anne Rice fans, but for those of us who are new to the material, it's not very compelling and I suspect reviewers will concur.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 1:31pm

yea so far i've heard that its not very strong but its still only a week into previews, it still has time to grow and it isnt doomed for life as many people have insisted

Posted: 12/24/05 at 1:38pm

How was Jack Noseworthy before they got rid of him?

[SFJPS]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 1:40pm

Two comments:
Yep, hats off to the creative process and seeing new musicals continue getting worked.

Saw the show last night (12/23) and Noseworthy was already gone. His understudy, Drew Sarich, played the role.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 1:51pm

how was the understudy?

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 1:55pm

Seriously, though do you write your own subject lines? Le Bad! Ha! I could never in a million years think of that. It's so fresh. So original. It just screams of the comedy greats: Philbin, Miller, Gutenberg, Short, Spade, Fallon, SFJPS just sounds like such a natural addition.

Keep up the great work.

[SFJPS]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 2:01pm

Thank you and Merry Christmas. Actually, my crack staff of writers helped me w/that one. I'll pass along your gratitude and piece of tongue in cheek!

[Mamie]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 2:04pm

Oh, I don't know. Lestat = LeStunk might have been better.

[SFJPS]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 2:06pm

Oooh, that is a good one! Nice work. (And admit it, you know a show ain't that great when the posts become about the subject line...)

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 2:13pm

Maybe the producers could call for sutures to fix this show in the ER... Lestat.

Updated On: 12/24/05 at 02:13 PM

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 2:31pm

SFJPS I like you already!

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 2:57pm

quote:
Oooh, that is a good one! Nice work. (And admit it, you know a show ain't that great when the posts become about the subject line...)

Well, in all fairness to the show, only a few people here have seen it and it is still only in previews... So I still have hope that they can fix things and get it up to shape for Broadway. Noseworthy being replaced at least shows that they know things must be changed.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 4:38pm

Lestat haters are bitches.

Merry Christmas!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 5:05pm

I'm more of a fan of the new, Jesus-centric Anne Rice. I hope somebody makes a pop-rock musical out of the Jesus story. That would be just as unique as this vampire pop-rock musical!

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 5:12pm

Actually a better title would have been:

"Lestat. It sucked"

Noseworthy's understudy, Drew Sarich was wonderful btw. I hope he gets to take over the role of Armaund instead of just being the understudy.

Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I think the whole vampire genre is just silly, but this was great fun to watch. The only good thing that's come out of visiting the old relatives in San Francisco for the holidays.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 5:17pm

No surprise that my Carolee is the best thing about the show...

[other321]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 7:40pm

I saw the show and Jack's U/S DREW SARICH is awesome. I also was luck enough to see him do Disney's Hunchback in Germany. Hopefully Drew takes over the role permanantly.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 7:47pm

I think Lestat = Le Suck would have been kind of awesome.

Okay so I'm confused about Lestat. It's based on Interview, right? Is the narrator from Interview still in the story? Because Lestat doesn't function as much more than a flat villain in that story. I don't know. Elton John was always the wrong person to write this musical.

[hateobnoxiousteens]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 7:49pm

I'm not shocked about what im hearing, I will still see it if it makes it to NYC in the spring only out of curiosity of what someone could do to once again destroy the Vampire Chronicles. Sorry but its utterly ridiculous to make Two Books of the Chronicles into a MUSICAL - that tops it for one of the dumbest ideas ever thought of. Especially when there are so many budding new artists out there that want to put on NEW FRESH musicals, and not ones that get backing because it has known names attached to it. To many of these and REVIVALS, lets see more new artistic work on Broadway

[Katurian2]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 8:34pm

Aw- I really hope this show works out. Broadway could use a big hit right about now. It's always sad to see a show fail.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 8:39pm

???

Mary Poppins? The Wedding Singer? Drowsy Chaperone? There's better stuff coming than Lestat.

Although I'll be honest, the only reason I'm excited for TWS is because Laura Benanti is in it

What I'm wondering is what the big hit from out of nowhere will be next season.

Oh wait, Tarzan.

Updated On: 12/24/05 at 08:39 PM

[NYNYBroadwaybaby]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 9:05pm

Hey you know what's cool? Talking trash about a show you haven't even seen. In fact why see anything, or think for yourself. Believe what someone tells you, don't form your own opinions because that's so twentieth century.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 9:20pm

Okay, gloves off. First, explain how not thinking for yourself is so twentieth century. Aside from being the century that helped us on the road to civil, religious, sexual orientation, and gender rights, not to mention the technological advancements and the advancements in thinking (philosophical and social). Don't make weird statements. It leaves everyone confused.

No, I haven't seen Lestat, but it has been trashed across the board at this point in its development and I have yet to hear a score from Elton John that I liked. Yes, there are a handful of songs he has written for shows/animated movies that I liked. Based on the songs I've heard from the website, I don't think I'll like this one either. He hasn't failed me yet.

Also, the conversation has been civil so far, and if anything constructive. So you know what's cool? Lacking the ability to think critically for yourself and then calling other people to task for doing so.

That all aside, I applaud you for managing to mix two different song titles for your user name. Also, I have to ask sumofallthings if he really thinks Jimmy Fallon and David Spade are masters of comedy. Jimmy Fallon?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 9:27pm

Panero works his butt off and is on stage nearly the entire night. You can't fault him, he's getting the character.

He really does his best, and he's excellent with what little he's given to work with.

Still, I'm starting to wonder if come Broadway they'll need an alternate Lestat, because he hardly leaves the stage and there is a LOT of singing for him to tackle.

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/24/05 at 9:33pm

Actually, NYNY was making a play on the phrase "that's so last season." It really has nothing to do with the twentieth century per se. Also, Lestat hasn't been trashed across the board. Or even across this thread. The reviews I've seen have said it still needs work but is enjoyable and has a lot of good things going for it. I know that's not going to keep all you people who claim to like theater from burying it in its first week of previews though, so by all means go on enjoying yourselves.