Sam Reid’s – A one-night NYC screening of “The Vampire Lestat” turned into a full rock-concert spectacle at The Beacon Theatre, where Sam Reid performed as Lestat with a custom set, costume changes, and a stage-door scramble that proved the hype was real.
By the time doors opened at The Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. it didn’t feel like a polite screening crowd waiting for a show to start. It felt like a rock venue gearing up—thousands of fans pressing toward a single night where Sam Reid would step out as Lestat. the immortal vampire alter ego. and try to earn the kind of belief usually reserved for legend.
The lead-in was familiar enough: the event began with a screening. It showed the first episode of “The Vampire Lestat” — known as “Interview with the Vampire” in Seasons 1 and 2 — setting the stage for what came next. For some attendees, that order raised concerns. Watching an episode featuring the most polished version of the production first meant judging whatever Reid and the band would deliver live against a studio-level benchmark.
Those doubts didn’t survive contact with the room.
Fans traveled for the chance to see Reid’s Lestat play live. People from Boston took a five-hour train to get there, while others drove up from Philly. The event pulled in visitors from neighboring states, and at least one attendee—Meagan L.—came from upstate New York. Even if tickets didn’t open up. she said it was still “worth the trip. ” because “I still get a chance to see Sam [Reid] and Jacob [Anderson]. I’m not as far away as other people I’ve talked to in the lines. so it was worth the trip.”.
Prior to the event. anyone who signed up for a ticket received an email that said “all tickets had been released.” Still. eager fans with the means made their way to Manhattan hoping to secure something anyway—either by snagging a ticket or by getting a chance to see Reid and the band at the stage door.
For weeks leading up to the night, Anderson’s presence wasn’t officially announced for the show. But the assumption among fans was that he and the rest of the cast would be in attendance—and that expectation was met. Ahead of the screening doors opening. fans had the opportunity to see the series showrunners and cast walk the red carpet.
Inside, the crowd mixed ardent fans, influencers, press, and series cast and crew. The energy during the screening was loud—hoots and hollers rising as the Season 3 premiere played on screen—but it was only the appetizer. Once Reid took the stage, the room snapped fully into concert mode.
The band performing at The Beacon was not the same group fans will see on screen. Live. the lineup included series composer Daniel Hart. along with Matthew Santos. Meg Toohey. Bobak Loftipour. Nelly Efron. and Reid himself. The chords for “Long Face” rolled out across the hall. and the crowd erupted—people roaring even before they could fully see the star with their own eyes.
The set ran for 30 minutes, staying in that rockstar lane the whole way. Reid and the band played “Long Face” and original songs including “Big Bad Wolf. ” “Your Biggest Fan. ” “The Loneliness. ” “Brutal Love. ” and “Butterscotch Bitch.” Every song came with a costume change from Reid. shifting from flowing robes to glittering tanks and scruffy jackets.
Reid also made room for the diehards in the audience, ensuring the Lestat groupies got a “vested-but-shirtless number” as well.
Watching it, it became clear that Reid’s stage experience mattered. The actor didn’t just perform as Lestat—he transformed into him. from the way he carried himself to the lilt of his vocals. He blew kisses. crawled around on stage. and leaned into the character’s feral. mischievous chaos like he’d rehearsed it for every possible reaction.
When the in-character set list concluded. Reid left the stage with a brief message that the audience had gotten what they deserved from his immortal alter ego. then bid farewell to his “beasties.” Fans called for “encore. ” but auditorium music played the audience out. cutting the night cleanly back to reality.
Before the afterparty, Reid met fans at the stage door. Those who managed to get a wrist band moved on with the rest of the cast and attendees.
“The Vampire Lestat” premieres Sunday on AMC and AMC+.
Sam Reid The Vampire Lestat Interview with the Vampire AMC AMC+ The Beacon Theatre Lestat Live in Concert Jacob Anderson Daniel Hart Matthew Santos Meg Toohey Bobak Loftipour Nelly Efron
So basically it was like a concert pretending to be a screening?
I saw the title and thought it was gonna be just some boring movie night but nah, sounds like a full-on Beacon Theatre takeover. The fact people took trains from Boston and all that is wild though.
Wait they started with Interview With the Vampire first episode?? That seems backwards like streaming services do, so then everybody freaks out expecting the finale? I don’t even watch stuff in order half the time but I guess it depends on what version they showed.
“Worth the trip” yeah I get it. I don’t think people realize how rare it is to see a stage door thing go that crazy. Also Beacon Theatre in Manhattan… like that’s basically required if you’re in NYC for anything. I heard Sam Reid is basically Lestat IRL which is probably why everyone stampeded when doors opened.