Jim Stanek to Play Louis in Broadway-Bound Lestat Musical

Broadway.com has learned that Jim Stanek will play reluctant bloodsucker Louis de Pointe du Lac, a role made famous by Brad Pitt in the film Interview with the Vampire, in the Broadway-bound musical Lestat. As we previously reported, The Phantom of the Opera's Hugh Panaro is in talks to play the title character.

"It feels even silly to be talking about the fact that I am going to be a humongous Elton John musical," Stanek told Broadway.com. "He is a legend. To be doing new music of his is pretty cool. I don't know of any other way to say it. This is an amazing opportunity."

Stanek has appeared on Broadway in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Rivals, Indiscretions and Little Women. His other notable credits include off-Broadway mountings of Captain's Courageous and Saturday Night as well as the pre-Broadway tryout of Thoroughly Modern Millie at La Jolla Playhouse. From July 4 through July 10 he will be seen in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at the Westside Theatre Upstairs. Prior to Lestat, he is also expected to appear in Slut at the American Theatre of Actors.

"The role in Lestat is very meaty," Stanek said. "And now, at this point in my life, I am married and I have two kids... I have been here working for twelve years. My life experiences have done something to me. Years ago I don't know if I would have even been considered for such a meaty role. It is great."

Lestat features music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin and a book by Linda Woolverton. In the tuner, which draws material from three Anne Rice novels Interview With the Vampire, Queen of the Damned and The Vampire Lestat, Stanek will play someone who chose eternal life but cannot stand to suck human blood.

Directed by Robert Jess Roth, the show will premiere in at San Francisco's Curran Theatre in the winter and is expected to hit Broadway in spring 2006.