Lestat: to close early on 28 May

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures (Gregg Maday, Executive Vice President) announced today that Lestat will play its final perform on the 28 May 2006, the musical was booking to 22 Oct 2006.

The musical opened at the Palace Theatre on 25 Apr 2006, following previews from 25 Mar 2006. When the production closes it will have played 39 regular performances and 33 previews.

The show opened to poor notices: The New York Times called it "The musical sleeping pill," New York Post said it was "A ship resolutely searching for icebergs," and the Hollywood reporter said "it sucks."

Lestat was nominated for two 2006 Tony Awards including Carolee Carmello for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, and Susan Hilferty for Best Costume Design of a Musical.

Gregg Maday said, "I am privileged to have worked with this amazingly talented company. They truly embody what makes Broadway unique and special and why Warner Bros. is thrilled to be part of this community. We have learned a great deal during this process and remain committed to producing exciting projects for the Broadway stage, adapted from our deep, rich library."

Inspired by Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles, Lestat is the first theatrical score from the legendary songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, has a book by Linda Woolverton, and is directed by Robert Jess Roth with musical staging by Matt West.

Lestat stars Hugh Panaro in the title role, Carolee Carmello as Gabrielle, Drew Sarich as Armand, Jim Stanek as Louis, Roderick Hill as Nicolas, Michael Genet as Marius and Allison Fischer as Claudia.

The musical's scenic design is by Derek McLane, with costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Jonathan Deans.