By Kenneth Jones
19 May 2006

Hugh Panaro in Lestat.
photo by Joan Marcus

Lestat, the new musical by smash-hit pop songwriters Elton John and Bernie Taupin, will get a Broadway cast album, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures' Gregg Maday announced.

Mercury Records will record the score May 22 at Sony Studios. A July release is expected.

Inspired by Anne Rice's "The Vampire Chronicles" novels, Lestat is the first theatrical score from the legendary songwriting team of composer John and lyricist Taupin. The show continues at the Palace Theatre.

The original Broadway cast recording will be produced by Guy Babylon and Matt Still for Mercury Records.

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.

Lestat, starring Hugh Panaro in the title role, also features 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, has a cast of 21 that features Rachel Coloff, Nikki Renee Daniels, Joseph Dellger, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Chris Peluso, Megan Reinking, Sarah Solie, Amy Sparrow, Will Swenson, Steve Wilson and Tommar Wilson.

With musical supervision by Guy Babylon, Lestat has orchestrations by Steve Margoshes and Guy Babylon, with additional orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical direction by Brad Haak, and vocal arrangements by Todd Ellison.

Lestat opened April 25. It has a book by Linda Woolverton, is directed by Robert Jess Roth with musical staging by Matt West. The creative team includes scenic designer Derek McLane, costume designer Tony Award-winner Susan Hilferty, lighting designer Kenneth Posner, sound designer Jonathan Deans, visual concept designer Dave McKean, and hair designer Tom Watson.

The playing schedule is Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM, and Sunday at 3 PM. Tickets range from $35 to $110, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com at (212) 307-4100.

For more information, visit www.lestat.com.