Lestat Recording

Do they have plans of releasing the CD? Because I was searching the album at amazon, it's not there, I heard they were supposed to release it this July right?

I was not able to see the show, so I was looking forward for the recording, plus, I know its a talented cast.

Anybody news?

God Bless.

Updated On: 7/9/06 at 11:53 AM

I don't care when, I just hope and want it to come out

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From what I have heard, expect sometime in August. It is recorded and it will be released.

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Threadjack- Is Dracula just like... dead now and never happening?

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i am kinda suprised they just dont realease it to iTunes first ... see how it sells and then make the cd .... seems like it'd be a good cheap way to get it out initally

http://www.hugh-panaro.net/LestatRecording.htm

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My "sources" have told me mostly August, but I heard from one maybe fall. All are confirming though that they believe it will be released.

I would say if it does not come out by August, it will not be out. After the July date was cancelled, my doubts started creeping in

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Updated On: 7/9/06 at 07:31 PM

The only way it will be released , imo, is for Sir Elton to start to play hardball with the suits @ WB

Maybe Sir Elton should put some money into it

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Updated On: 7/9/06 at 08:13 PM

"broadwaybound, who are your "sources"? because from what i've heard from my "sources" Warner Brothers doesn't want to release the cd or pay the actors for recording it..."

Are actors paid when they record it, or do they get their paychecks after the cast recording comes out? Because the CD has definitley been recorded.

"Are actors paid when they record it, or do they get their paychecks after the cast recording comes out? Because the CD has definitley been recorded."

I'm well aware that the cd has been recorded. The actors will eventually have to be paid regardless, but my understanding is that there has been quite the hold up about getting their checks out.

"Steve Wilson told me last week ..."

You're friends with THE Steve Wilson of myth and legend?! So jealous... He's my favorite.

It costs money to release a CD: Yes they have already spent the money to record it but there is mixing, editing, mastering, preparation of the CD cases and (hopefully) a booklet with notes and pictures. All this is very expensive. For pictures of the show to be included did you know the set designers have to be paid a royalty. So do the people who designed the posetr, if its to be used on the CD cover. Permission to print the lyrics comes at a price. Also each quarter, the label has to pay fees for every title it has in the active cataogue.

Then there is the time and effort spent marketing and promoting the album by the record label staff. LESTAT was seen by 80,000 people, only 2% of whom will buy the Cd: 1600 units. If the show were still running and selling maybe 10,000 seats a week that would translate down to about 200 CD per week which while not steller does help the cash flow. But the show is gone. No tour is planned. So that 1600 units is all the label can count on to offset roughy a $1/2 million expenditure. It may be easier to write off the recording costs and cancel the release. The ultimate decisoin may rest on whether the show will have any kind of afterlife in regional and community theatres but that would be a long slow return on such a high investment.

Yes, some flop shows have cast recordings that have paid off for their labels: CANDIDE for Sony, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG for RCA, and MACK AND MABEL for UMG. But many cast albums - even those from hit shows - never pay off.

I am only pointing this out because some people blame record label ineptitude for the delay (possible cancellation) of LESTAT but it may in fact be a sound business decision.

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Its possible. THE CAPEMAN has (finally) been released that way. But again will it generate enough downloads to make it financially worthwhile?

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