NewsPHOTO CALL: Angela Lansbury, Bryan Cranston, Eric McCormack and More Celebrate Blithe Spirit L.A. OpeningThe North American tour of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, starring five-time Tony winner Angela Lansbury as Madame Arcati, opened Dec. 14 at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.
By
David Gewirtzman
December 15, 2014
Directed by Michael Blakemore, the production officially opened Dec. 14 at 6:30 PM at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles following previews that began Dec. 9.
Following the closing of the LA engagement on Jan. 18, 2015, the tour will continue to SHN’s Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco Jan. 20-Feb. 1, 2015, and Mirvish Productions’ Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto Feb. 11-March 15. The tour will conclude in Washington, DC, March 17-29 at the National Theatre, where Lansbury made her first pre-Broadway stage debut nearly 58 years ago to the day.
Lansbury is joined by Charles Edwards as Charles Condomine, Jemima Rooper as Elvira, Charlotte Parry as Ruth Condomine, Simon Jones as Dr. Bradman, Susan Louise O’Connor as Edith and Sandra Shipley as Mrs. Bradman.
“During the course of my career, I’ve had the good fortune to play many, many unique and wonderful roles in the movies, on stage and television,” said Lansbury in a previous statement. “And it is a joy to once again step into the role of Madame Arcati, and bring Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit to wonderful audiences here in North America who have supported me for over seven decades.” The production also has scenic and costume designs by Helen Hayes Award winner Simon Higlett (Lansbury’s costume designs are by two-time Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz), lighting design by Drama Desk nominee Mark Jonathan and sound design by Olivier Award winners Ben and Max Ringham.
"Researching for his new novel," press notes state, "Charles Condomine invites the implausible medium Madame Arcati to his house for a séance. While consumed in a trance, Madame Arcati unwittingly summons the ghost of Charles’ dead wife Elvira. Appearing only to Charles, Elvira soon makes a play to reclaim her husband, much to the chagrin of Charles’ new wife Ruth. One husband, two feuding wives and a whisper of mischief in the air – who will win in Coward’s unworldly comedy?"
The North American tour is produced by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Steve Traxler, Lee Dean, John Frost, Charles Diamond and Will Trice in association with JAM Theatricals.
Angela Lansbury, Bryan Cranston, Eric McCormack and More Celebrate Blithe Spirit L.A. Opening
Angela Lansbury, Bryan Cranston, Eric McCormack and More Celebrate Blithe Spirit L.A. Opening
The North American tour of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, starring five-time Tony winner Angela Lansbury as Madame Arcati, opened Dec. 14 at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. For more on the production, read the Playbill.com story.
31 PHOTOS
Bryan Cranston
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Tracie Bennett
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Barrett Foa
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Rebecca Pidgeon and David Mamet
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
John Glover
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Eric McCormack and wife Janet McCormack
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Monica Horan
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Michael Blakemore
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
John Larroquette and wife Elizabeth Larroquette
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Ricky Jay
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Michael Learned
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Michael Learned
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Sandra Shipley, Simon Jones, Charlotte Parry, Angela Lansbury, Charles Edwards, Jemima Rooper and Susan Louise O’Connor
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Simon Jones, Charlotte Parry, Angela Lansbury, Charles Edwards and Jemima Rooper
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Sandra Shipley, Simon Jones, Charlotte Parry and Angela Lansbury
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Simon Jones, Charlotte Parry, Angela Lansbury and Charles Edwards
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Angela Lansbury and Charles Edwards
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Charlotte Parry and Angela Lansbury
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Robin Dearden, Bryan Cranston and Angela Lansbury
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Eric McCormack and Angela Lansbury
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
David Mamet, Rebecca Pidgeon and Angela Lansbury
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Eric McCormack and Kate Burton
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Charles Edwards, Angela Lansbury and Michael Blakemore
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Simon Jones and Sandra Shipley
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Angela Lansbury and daughter Deidre Angela Shaw
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Jemima Rooper, Charles Edwards and Charlotte Parry
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Susan Louise O’Connor, Charlotte Parry and Angela Lansbury
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Jemima Rooper, Susan Louise O’Connor, Charlotte Parry, Angela Lansbury and Sandra Shipley
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Charles Edwards, Susan Louise O’Connor, Charlotte Parry, Angela Lansbury, Michael Blakemore, Jemima Rooper, Sandra Shipley and Simon Jones
Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Charlotte Parry, Charles Edwards, Angela Lansbury, Michael Blakemore, Sandra Shipley and Jemima Rooper