PHOTO CALL: Lestat Takes a Bite Out of San Francisco As Pre-Broadway Tryout Begins

By Morgan Allen
28 Dec 2005

From Top: Hugh Panaro; Carolee Carmello and Hugh Panaro in Lestat.
From Top: Hugh Panaro; Carolee Carmello and Hugh Panaro in Lestat.

The new Elton John-Bernie Taupin-Linda Woolverton musical Lestat, based on the popular vampire character created by novelist Anne Rice, is currently in the midst of a tryout run in San Francisco before its scheduled Broadway opening on April 13, 2006.

The new musical marks the return to Broadway for pop star John, who previously won accolades in the theatre for The Lion King and Aida. Lestat teams John and Taupin with the creative trio behind Disney's Beauty and the Beast: book writer Woolverton, choreographer Matt West and director Robert Jess Roth.

At left and below, stars Hugh Panaro (The Phantom of the Opera) and Carolee Carmello (Mamma Mia!) lead the company in scenes from the production's try-out at the Curran Theatre. Lestat begins previews at Broadway's Palace Theatre on March 11, 2006.

Photos by Paul Kolnik