Angela Lansbury Hosts Memorial for Bea Arthur Sept. 14

By Andrew Gans
September 14, 2009

Five-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury, who co-starred with Beatrice Arthur in Mame, hosts a memorial tribute to the late Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Sept. 14 at Broadway's Majestic Theatre.

Directed by Mark Waldrop, Celebrating Bea Arthur will feature remembrances and performances from the late actress' family and friends, including Adrienne Barbeau ("Maude" co-star), Zoe Caldwell, Billy Goldenberg (Arthur's longtime accompanist), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof lyricist), Charlie Hauck ("Maude" head writer), Norman Lear ("Maude" producer), Clinton Leupp, Anne Meara, Rosie O'Donnell, Chita Rivera, Daryl Roth (Bea Arthur on Broadway producer), Jerry Stiller and Rue McClanahan ("The Golden Girls").

The afternoon event begins at 1 PM; seating is open to the general public on a first-come, first-served admission basis.

Arthur passed away on April 25, 2009, at age 86.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Ali Forney Center, one of Ms. Arthur's beloved charities (www.aliforneycenter.org).

To read Playbill.com's obituary about Arthur, click here.