Lestat Delays Start of Broadway Previews to March 25; Now Scheduled to Open on April 25

The Broadway production of Lestat, the musical inspired by Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, has moved both its first preview and opening dates back two weeks. The show is now scheduled to begin performances at the Palace Theater on March 25 (instead of March 11) and to open officially on April 25 (instead of April 13).

Lestat recently concluded a six-week run at San Francisco’s Curran Theater, where it broke box-office records but garnered mostly negative reviews. The production is directed by Robert Jess Roth and features musical staging by Matt West. Jonathan Butterell, who choreographed such shows as Nine and Fiddler of the Roof has been brought on as a creative consultant to oversee changes for the Broadway run.

Heading the cast are Hugh Panaro in the title role, Carolee Carmello as Gabrielle, Jim Stanek as Louis, Drew Sarich as Armand, Roderick Hill as Nicolas, Michael Genet as Marius, and Allison Fischer as Claudia. The show features the first theatrical score by the famous songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and a book by Linda Woolverton. The design team includes Derek McLane (sets), Susan Hilferty (costumes), Kenneth Posner (lighting), Jonathan Deans (sound), and Dave McKean (visual concept).