Lansbury in NIGHT MUSIC - what's so special?

I have to agree. She's wonderful and I can obviously appreciate the incredible legend she is (I thought she was about a thousand times better in BLITHE SPIRIT for the record) but I didn't think she was absolutely revelatory. :-

I've said it before, and it didn't end well, but I would vote for Katie Finneran.

Now I'm gonna go make some popcorn to prepare myself for the incoming sh*tstorm.

What Diva said-- 100%.

I finally saw her performance yesterday. Yeah, what ljay said, everything ljay said. Beautiful, hilarious, touching performance.

She brightened up the stage each time she rolled out. In her absences, I longed for her next appearance. "Liaisons" was easily the best executed song in the show. She was the only actor on that stage whose character arc was so clear. It was an honor to watch her on that stage, and what a performance it is!

~Steven

Updated On: 5/3/10 at 03:38 PM

What?!

Why? Because you can't give a touching performance after a certian age?!

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I love Angie. On a sidenote, Tim Conway mentioned her on an episode of CSI Las Vegas last week.

Angie is the epitome of class and talent. Her version of Mme. Armfeldt singing Broadway Baby (while in a wheelchair no less), is worth the price of the ticket alone.

Kalimba, always up to the task of slaying BWW. Well done. :)

~Steven

She brightened up the show considerably whenever she was onstage. When she was onstage, I was instantly drawn to her the entire time. She got more laughs (in what is advertised, by the way as a comedy, a fact that many in that cast seem to forget) than anyone else onstage.

The aforementioned "wooden ring" speech, which with other actresses is nothing but a throwaway, had real meaning with her- you could feel (for the first time) this woman's regret at never having loved.

She commanded the stage every time she set foot on it- Madame Armfeldt felt like the most important character in the show. When she was not onstage, I was waiting and hoping for her to return.

The thing that really made me appreciate Lansbury the most, however, was seeing the show with Karen Murphy as Madame Armfeldt (a perfectly fine regional theater-esque performance). None of the lines had any weight, the jokes didn't land as well, and Liaisons was a complete bore with Murphy. Seeing the role played by another actress made me appreciate Lansbury's contributions even more.

Angela Lansbury knows how to deliver lines better than nearly anybody who has ever set foot on stage in the history of Broadway. Her characterization of Madame Armfeldt is perfection. Here are a few examples of what I adore about her performance:

- Her delivery about how Fredrika should not push her bosoms up against the wheelchair tray, or it will stunt their growth...hilarious

- "Solitare is the only thing in life that demands absolute honesty"...she commands the stage with this line

- Her overall demeanor makes the audience believe that she has had kings as lovers. She is that regal in her portrayal.

- "Stage managers are not nannies. They don't have the talent" Gets a huge laugh every time.

- The way she says "Mine tours!" when referring to Desiree in "The Glamorous Life"

- The way she says "Mother's Misguided. La, La, La" in "The Glamorous Life"

- The entire rendition of "Liaisons." In particular, I love the way she says "Figs. No, not even figs. Raisins. Ah, Liasions" and "Who, when things got rather touchy, Deeded me a duchy." Her interpretation of the entire song is unmatched. Hearing her on the recording is great, but seeing her sing this life is an experience. Perfection.

- "However, they will not be served my best champagne. I am saving that for my funeral!" The way she delivers this line is so funny.

- "But to loose one's teeth is a catastrophe!" (if you've seen the show, this line needs no explanation)

- "We cannot be caught squatting on the ground like bohemians!" While Frid picks her up and carries her off the stage, her facial expressions here are priceless.

- The "Wooden Ring" speech is heartbreaking, as ljay pointed out.

- When she is talking to Fredrika at the end, and she gives a hint at a little smirk and says "The smile for the fools was particularly broad tonight!" Wonderful.

All these points (and more) are why Angela Lansbury's portrayal of Madame Armfeldt is so outstanding and has garnered across the board rave reviews. She is 100% deserving of the 2010 Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Musical and I sincerely hope she takes hoome the prize come June 13.

Updated On: 5/3/10 at 04:32 PM

Would have loved to see her in "A Little Night Music". I have only seen her once onstage. In 1979 in "Sweeney Todd". If I never see her again, I won't be too upset. That was an afternoon at the theatre I will never forget!

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The aforementioned "wooden ring" speech, which with other actresses is nothing but a throwaway, had real meaning with her- you could feel (for the first time) this woman's regret at never having loved.

Which other actresses?

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I can't speak for Lansbury's delivery of the speech, but I hardly think she is the first actress to do it justice. Having heard Hermione Gingold perform it, I think she did a terrific job with it.

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It is pretty easy to take Lansbury's performance for granted because - like so many great artists- she makes the difficult look easy.

What I do miss in Lansbury's approach is the sense of delicious past wickedness that makes Armfeldt so fun for me. Wifstrand, Gingold and even Resnik got it.

Over the years, I get the sense the Lansbury is not too comfortable with delving or leading with the sexual nature of her characters. She'd rather highlight some other aspect.. "cuteness" comes to mind.

Clearly she has the talent to do so, all you have to do is watch GASLIGHT and she definatley can go there.

Hmm.. Perhaps it is a Director's choice. Either way, I miss it. I think she played it a little too safe with "some" of her grandmotherly, milk and cookies choices.

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Updated On: 5/3/10 at 07:04 PM