Loyola's Roussel Theater was full to the brim of Anne Rice superfans who were eager to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of her earth-shattering book Interview With The Vampire with Anne's son Chris Rice, Eric Shaw Quinn, and Leigh Bardugo, all wonderful authors inspired by Anne and her career. A line of attendees wound down the staircase, through the building, out the doors, and around the corner as they awaited to pick up their copy of Interview With The Vampire's 50th Anniversary Edition, a sexy matte black book with gleaming gold lettering and striking blood-red pages. The true vamps came all decked out in their finery with sharp teeth and red eyes, and they mingled with each other as they waited for their turn to sign the guest book at the memorial bearing Anne's typewriter.
The program had to go on later than expected just to be able to seat the incredible amount of people (and undead people) who showed up. The theater exploded when Chris, Eric, and Leigh graced the stage. The trio launched into the tale of how and why Anne Rice wrote Interview With A Vampire which hit shelves in 1976. Anne's broken heart over the tragic loss of her daughter at just four years of age drove her to write a story that included a young girl who would be saved from death by turning into an immortal creature. Eric Shaw Quinn, Anne's longtime dear friend, stated, "Your mother turned the worst thing that happened to her into the greatest thing that happened to her."
However, Interview With The Vampire was not a powerhouse for years. In fact, it was panned by a prominent critic which was discussed in detail by our hosts. Chris distinctly remembered the day when that tide began turn. At a book signing populated by his father Stan and his friends who were somewhat dismissive of Anne and her work, two men dressed in full vampire regalia walked into the room to tell Anne just how much they loved her book, several years old at that time. Chris said, "The air in the room changed. This had never happened before." As time went on, Interview found its audience around the world organically. The book's fascinating story and how it touched those who feel perhaps a little shunned by society could not be ignored. To another huge round of applause, the gripping talk ended. Chris, Eric, and Leigh would go onto meet fans face-to-face with no time limit. The love for New Orleans' native Anne Rice was palpable in that room, and her fandom is still growing.
