Lestat = Le Bad

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.

How was Jack Noseworthy before they got rid of him?

how was the understudy?

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!

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...)

SFJPS I like you already!

---

Lestat haters are bitches.

Merry Christmas!

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.

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.

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

---

???

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

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?

---

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.