Angela Lansbury's musical theatre career in pictures
From Mrs. Lovett to Mrs. Potts
With a career spanning eight decades it's no surprise that Dame Angela Lansbury's work touched the lives of so many of us.
Following the news of her death at 96, we take a look back at her career in the world of musical theatre. From iconic Sondheim shows to Disney classics.
Angela Lansbury's musical theatre roles:
Anyone Can Whistle
By 1964 Angela already had over two decades of stage plays and films under her belt but she hadn't yet been a part of a stage musical yet. This changed when she starred in Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents' new musical Anyone Can Whistle.
Angela played the role of Cora Hoover Hooper, a corrupt mayor who fakes a miracle to attract people to her depressed town. The show was unfortunately not well received by the critics and the show finished its run at Broadway's Majestic Theatre after just nine performances and 12 previews.
Mame
Angela's next foray into musical theatre was in the original Broadway production of Jerry Herman's Mame which opened at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1966. Angela played the titular role and starred alongside Bea Arthur (who played Dorothy in the Golden Girls two decades later).
This musical went on to be a huge success with Angela picking up her first Tony Award for her role in the production. She also went on to reprise the role of Mame Dennis in California in 1968 and in the 1983 Broadway revival.
Dear World
In 1969 Jerry Herman had three musicals running simultaneously on Broadway following the opening of Dear World which starred Angela Lansbury as Countess Aurelia. The musical picked up two Tony Awards including Best Actress in a Musical for Angela.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Following the success of Mary Poppins Disney went to create another film that captured the magic of live-action mixed with animation. This time it was Bedknobs and Broomsticks which saw an aspiring Witch (Angela Lansbury), reluctant to take on children evacuated from London due to the Second World War. But she finds herself travelling with them on a flying bed controlled by an enchanted bedknob.
Gypsy
In 1973 Angela was cast in a West End revival of Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim's Gypsy playing the iconic role of Mama Rose. The production opened at the Piccadilly Theatre on 29th May 1973 with Angela in the lead role until December of that year when she went on to play the role in the US tour.
Angela was back at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway when the production arrived in New York in September 1974 – and yes, she won a Tony for this role too!
Fun fact: This production of Gypsy also starred a young Bonnie Langford in the role of Baby June!
The King and I
A revival Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I ran at the Uris Theatre (now known as the Gershwin Theatre) in the late 70s which starred Constance Towers as Anna Leonowen When Constance was off on holiday for three weeks Angela stepped into the role.
Sweeney Todd: The Deamon Barber of Fleet Street
When it comes to iconic roles in Stephen Sondheim's musicals Mrs. Nellie Lovett is up there as one of the greatest. Angela originated Sondheim's version of the character in the Broadway production that opened in March 1979 at the Uris Theatre. Angela won her final Tony Award (in the category of Best Actress in a Musical) for her role as Mrs. Lovett.
The Pirates of Penzance
Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance was adapted for the big screen in a 1983 film which was based on Joseph Papp's Broadway production. While many of that production's Broadway cast reprised their roles for the film, Angela was a new addition to the cast playing the role of Ruth instead of Estelle Parsons who played the role on Broadway.
A Little Night Music
Angela returned to the world of Sondheim decades later when she played the role of Madame Armfeldt when the Menier Chocolate Factory production of A Little Night Music transferred to Broadway in 2009. Angela was taking over from Dame Maureen Lipman who played the role when the production was in London.
Following the news of Angela's death, Catherine Zeta-Jones who starred alongside her in the production said: 'Our Broadway double act will forever be one of the joys of my life. As the lights dim for you on 'The Great White Way' you shall glow forever in our hearts.'
Beauty and the Beast
One of the characters that Angela became known for by younger generations is of course Mrs. Potts in Disney's 1991 film, Beauty and the Beast. The scene of Belle dancing with the Beast in the Ballroom is one of the film's most iconic moments and it's made all the better with Angela's stunning rendition of the titular song.
The film's composer Alan Menken said: 'I feel blessed and privileged to have played any kind of role in her life to have shared the stage with her, to have produced her in the studio, as dear Mrs. Potts. I hope Howard Ashman is somehow there to greet her in spirit. She was so kind and compassionate towards him in his last days. She radiated love and she will be so missed by so many.'
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