We Will Rock You
Paris Las Vegas Press Conference
June 23, 2004

Cast and Creative Team -- Carly Thomas (Oz), Kacie
Sheik (Scaramouche), Tony Vincent (Galileo), Ben
Elton (Writer and Director), Roger Taylor, Brian May,
Jason Wooten (Galileo), Aspen Miller (Scaramouche),
Ty Taylor (Brit), Douglas Crawford (Pop), and Sara
McLellan (Teen Queen, and u/s for Killer Queen)

The press conference started off with the introduction of Bobby Yee (President of Paris Las Vegas).  He
explained why the Paris Hotel thought this show was perfect for their theatre.  

He then introduced the creative team for “We Will Rock You.”  They came up through a trap door in the
stage floor in a cloud of smoke (dry ice).  It was an impressive entrance.

The creative team includes Brian May (guitarist for the group Queen), Ben Elton (story and script), Roger
Taylor (drummer for the group Queen), and Jane Rosenthal (representing Tribeca Theatrical Productions).  
They all sat in director chairs with their names imprinted on the backs of the chair.  Bobby Yee gave the other
panel members a chance to talk about the show and other things.

Ben Elton said the show is a little corny.  It is not meant to be cerebral.  The show is based on the music of
Queen, but unlike "Mamma Mia!" the lyrics are changed to go with the storyline.  Elton also said he changes
the jokes to reflect the country the show is playing in.  So for the Las Vegas show he will have jokes that
pertain to the US.

Brian May said, "Don't compare 'We Will Rock You' with Mamma Mia!"  This got a round of laughter and
agreement from the other panel members and the fans in the audience.  The production team explained they
have been working on this musical for 10 years, way before "Mamma Mia!" hit the road.

Jane Rosenthal (Tribeca Theatrical Productions) said they originally wanted to do a movie about Freddie
Mercury, but the remaining Queen band members said they did not want that.  So they came up with a show
that celebrates the music of Queen, rather than celebrating Freddie's life as originally suggested.

When asked why they decided to not open the show on Broadway, it was stated that the changing economics
in NYC were the main concern.  They also thought Las Vegas was a wonderful place to launch a show.   A
production can take risks here that they cannot take on Broadway, they can also be a bit more risqué and the
audiences here are more open to different types of shows.  

They mentioned that “Bohemian Rhapsody" is done live on stage.  With a cast of 30 they can use the extra
voices to capture this wonderful song the way it was meant to be done.  When Queen toured they could not do
the song live as they only had the four band members.  So this sounds very exciting, they also gave us a CD of
the original London production and the songs sound great.   

Someone asked about the orchestra (band) and Brian May was excited to talk about them.  He said they were
all great musicians.  He said, “The Las Vegas ‘We Will Rock You’ band rocks!”  I checked out the names of
the band members and I am very well aware of these musicians’ credentials and they indeed do rock.  

The creative team was asked if they thought Freddie Mercury would like it and they said yes.  Freddie's
family has seen the show in London and liked it.  They said this is what Freddie would have wanted.  
According to Ben Elton, "Freddie's mom said rock on!"

The original production in London on the West End has been playing to sold-out audiences since May 2002.  I
understand that the London production is over 2 hours.  The Las Vegas production may be shorter as it is
scheduled to be 2 hours long.  I am assuming that includes an intermission.  

When asked about casting, Ben Elton said, "we were looking for damn good singers and dancers and we got
them!"  The cast is from all parts of the US, including Las Vegas.

Principals in Las Vegas cast include: Douglas Crawford (Pop), Rich Hebert (Khashoggi), Aspen Miller and
Kacie Sheik (Scaramouche), Ty Talor (Britney), Carly Thomas (Oz), Tony Vincent and Jason Wooten
(Galileo).   Also, Brian May has asked Patti Russo to be their “Killer Queen.”   Lets hope she takes the part!

I have seen many of the principals in other productions and they are great…so the show sounds like it will
really rock!

Photo courtesy of Paris Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment, Inc.