WHAT = LESTAT

WHEN = 2006 - MARCH - 25

WHERE = U.S.A. - NEW YORK - PALACE THEATER (BROADWAY)
WHO = ROBERT JESS ROTH (DIRECTOR)
ANNE RICE/LINDA WOOLVERTON (AUTHOR)
ELTON JOHN/BERNIE TAUPIN (MUSIC)
HUGH PANARO (ACTOR - “LESTAT”)
CAROLEE CARMELLO (ACTOR - “GABRIELLE”)
RODERICK HILL (ACTOR - “NICOLAS”)

CRITICAL RECEPTION
The musical Lestat (2006) is derived from Linda Woolverton’s book, with which she
based off of Anne Rice’s series Vampire Chronicles. The story revolves around the character
Lestat, who finds himself through his life as an immortal vampire and the people around him
(who are also vampires or soon-to-be vampires), and takes place over the decades that Lestat
lives through. The play boasts music by the renowned Elton John and award-winning actress
Carolee Carmello. Lestat premiered shortly after two other vampire-centric shows: Dance of the
Vampires (2002) and Dracula, the Musical (2004). Unfortunately, these shows disappointed their
audiences, which left hopes for Lestat rather low. Lestat was intended to dramatize the so-called
“curse of immortality” in which immortals face, as it leaves out the decadence and sensuality
usually associated with vampires (and in Anne Rice’s original works). It also meant to serve as
LGBTQ+ representation in theatre, as many of the male characters show romantic interest in
other male characters. The show’s life was short-lived, however, as negative reviews (mostly
about its lackluster writing) caused it to leave Broadway’s lineup after about a year. However, it
seemed agreed upon that Carmello was the shining light of the show due to her vocal
capabilities, and thus she was nominated for a Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award, both for
Outstanding Featured Actress.
In this case, the monster (despite all the characters being vampires) would be Lestat.
Although his actions are driven by his confusion in being an immortal, his actions
unintentionally cause great harm to most of the people around him. His gift of immortality,
intended to save these people from death, acts instead as a curse. His actions are driven by
loneliness, disregarding morality as he tries to convince those he turns that the vampire life isn’t
so bad; in the end, the only one who actually enjoyed immortality was his mother, Gabrielle, who
travels the world.
Saltzman, Simon. “A CurtainUp Review: Lestat.” CurtainUp, 2006.
http://www.curtainup.com/lestat.html. Accessed 20 January 2022.
Murray, Matthew. “Lestat.” Talkin’ Broadway , 25 April 2006,
https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/world/Lestat.html. Accessed 20 January 2022.
Brantley, Ben. “Anne Rice’s Vampires, With Elton John’s Music, Take to the Stage.” The New
York Times, 26 April 2006,
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/26/theater/reviews/26lest.html. Accessed 20 January
2022.
“Lestat.” The Guide to Musical Theatre.
http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_l/lestat.html Accessed 20 January 2022.