Angela Lansbury joins Blithe Spirit- Page 3

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 1:22pm

That's exactly what I said -- in fact, I think when I saw Death on the Nile -- which, IMO, Angela stole from everybody in sight, including Bette Davis -- in the 70's, I said she'd be PERFECT as Madame Arcati. What a dream wish come true!!!! No waiting for a discount code on this one -- as soon as AE announces it, I'm ready to pull out my card and order away, surcharges, fees and all !!!! SOOOOO happy about this.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 2:46pm

Cool! What a great role for her!

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 3:20pm

Not that I needed it, but this is yet another reason I'm looking forward to this show!

[sparkleplenty]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 3:27pm

Yeah, with Lansbury aboard, I'm wishing it was a production of "High Spirts"

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 3:43pm

With all due respect, I never thought that Blithe Spirit had to be musicalized. Yes, the original High Spirits had Bea Lillie and Tammy Grimes, who were both great -- but they were basically playing Bea Lillie and Tammy Grimes (nothing wrong with that per se, but it doesn't justify the musical's being revived, IMO). Let us be thankful to the theatrical gods that we are lucky enough to see what already is looking to be a great production of a classic comedy.

[Friendofethelm]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 6:36pm

I hate to throw cold water on everybody's enthusiasm, but I must point out that Margaret Rutherford was 52 when she played Arcati in the David Lean film version. Geraldine Page was 63 when she did the 1987 revival. Angela Lansbury will be 83 this Thursday. If she can pull this off, more power to her. But I wish she had played the role twenty years ago, and indeed, she almost did. Back in the late 80s, during her "Murder, She Wrote" heyday, CBS was considering a TV remake of Blithe Spirit with Kathleen Turner as Elvira and Lansbury as Arcati. Unfortunately, the rights were a problem and it never happened. I wish this revival well and Miss Lansbury is a national treasure. I just dream about what might have been and wonder if she is still up to it.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 6:54pm

I'm sure your not alone in thinking that but lets hope she pulls thru it and keep the 'spirit' up for this wonderous production!

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 9:55pm

I feel reasonably certain that Angela Lansbury has a good sense of what she can and cannot do at this point in her life. After Deuce, she stated she didn't feel she had the energy to do a complete show eight performances a week. Although Madame Arcati can steal everything on stage when she's on, her role isn't nearly the length of Charles, Ruth or Elvira and there are long stretches where she will be able to pool her resources for the next scene. She's not alone in her longevity -- a current example is Marion Seldes. Going back, Estelle Winwood continued in her career until her 90's and I beleive Ethel Griffies was approachig 100 in her last run. It isn't often that people are able to keep performing in the later stages of their lives. And God bless all of those who can!!!!!

Updated On: 10/14/08 at 09:55 PM

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 10:09pm

And to think that I had my autographed poster of "Deuce" signed because she never would be on stage again!

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 10:22pm

- "I just dream about what might have been and wonder if she is still up to it."


I don't think you should be disappointed, nor do I think there's need for worry.

Lansbury's age is completely appropriate for the character and she is going to be brilliant.

In regards to her stamina and physical ability, she's intelligent (and classy) enough to know when enough is enough and turn down the opportunity if it's one she can't handle.

As great as the film you mentioned would have been, I'm just grateful that we'll have the chance to see her play this role on Broadway. 83 years old and more power to her!

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 10/14/08 at 10:23pm

double-posted out of the amazingness that is Angela Lansbury =) Updated On: 10/14/08 at 10:23 PM

[Sirius Black]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:57pm

I think the women in the cast are all entirely too old and Ebersole is miscast. She would be better as Ruth, however, it's a "star vehicle" and she can do as she likes.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:03pm

No they're not. No, she isn't. No, she wouldn't. And yes, she can.

Thank you for sharing.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:12pm

- "No they're not. No, she isn't. No, she wouldn't. And yes, she can. Thank you for sharing."

LOL. Amazing, as usual.

And also, agreed.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:16pm

Dev: wasn't it Hercules Porridge? Either way the otherwise brilliant Frances De La Tour failed to obliterate Angela in the TV remake.

[Sirius Black]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:53pm

So - your insistence makes it true? That's like the "Glenn Close can sing" argument. If you repeat it enough times someone, even someone with ears, will believe it.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:58pm

This is thrilling news! What a terrific cast! I love this play and it should be fun to see a Broadway production of it--esp the ending.

[explorer]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 7:46pm

Great news!! Can not wait to see Angela again.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 11:56pm

And to think that I had my autographed poster of "Deuce" signed because she never would be on stage again!

You had your autographed poster signed? Isn't that redundant?

[ZiggyCringe]

Posted: 10/16/08 at 1:46am

Best Casting Ever.

Lansbury will be terrific.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 10/16/08 at 10:46am

I think they've kept all the ages consistent; everyone is a bit older than in past productions.

It'll be intersting to see what Lansbury is going to do. Will she make Arcati consciously wacky, or will the joke be that she's a no-nonsense woman who happens to talk to the dead? Or (more likely) will it be something that hasn't been done before and that we can't imagine.

I can't wait!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/16/08 at 11:02am

Kind of like a female John Edward without the Long Island accent?

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 10/16/08 at 11:40am

Though it's been a while since she's had a regular outing, is Lansbury the type to miss a lot of shows or do you think she'd be able to do this eight times a week without missing much? I only ask because I want to go out to New York in February to try and catch this, Hairspray with Harvey, (hopefully) Night/Music, and In The Heights and Gypsy once more before they lose their original cast/close. So I really would love to see it with Lansbury, as she has been one of my favorite performers for some time. Regardless I can't wait to see what she brings to the role!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/16/08 at 11:43am

Lansbury didn't miss a single performance of DEUCE two years ago.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 10/16/08 at 10:24pm

So good to know, thanks!