re: Angela Lansbury As Anna Leonowens?

[ljay889]

How was she? Did anyone here catch her in the role?



How did she sing the role?

[Theaterguy2]

i dont think any of us were alive then honey.

[Dollypop]

Excuse me, but I saw Lansbury in the role and I'm not quite ready for the graveyard, Theaterguy2!

Angela was wonderful in the role. "Can I Tell You What I Think of You" was delivered with great force and an empty stool became a substitute for the King she was telling off.

She has a wonderful rapport with the schoildren and "Getting To Know You" was delightful.

"Shall We Dance?" was electrifying. Michael Kermoyan was the King and he created great tension as he put his arm around Mrs. Anna's waist as he started to dance with her.

On the whole, Lansbury used her head voice throughout and it was really quite lovely.

[ljay889]

Yay. I'm glad to hear she was great! She is so damn versatile.

And Theatreguy what in the world are you talking about? This was only the 70's. There are members here who've seen Verdon in the original SWEET CHARITY and even shows before that.

[whatyouown223]

Theatreguy...are you kidding me? A 50 year old man would have been in his 20's in the 70's...quite capable of seeing theatre.

[melissa errico fan]

My parents and two older sisters saw Ms. Lansbury as Anna---all are still with us.

[ljay889]

You know what? I think he's thinking that we are talking about the ORIGINAL production in the 50's.

Which we aren't.

[wildcat]

I always thought she'd be dream casting for Anna.

[melissa errico fan]

She played the role briefly in the 1977/78 revival.

[South Fl Marc]

She was absolutely wonderful - enchanting from first to last.

[Gothampc]

I believe she was only a replacement while Constance Towers went on vacation. Didn't she only play a few weeks?

[South Fl Marc]

One month and both Constance Towers and Yul Brynner were on vacation.

[ljay889]

Looks like the poster says

FOR 24 PERFORMANCES ONLY.

[DottieD'Luscia]

This production of "The King & I" was my 2nd Broadway show. I remember when Angela Lansbury filled in, but I had seen it with Yul Brynner and Constance Towers. The only thing I remember is not being able to understand what Mr. Brynner was saying (either through poor annunciation or sound quality at the Uris), and as I result I did not enjoy the show. It was only as an adult and seeing the revival in the 90s that I could appreciate this wonderful show.

[kooky]

Talk about the GRAVE-YARD calling - - I saw that oh SO talented
lady in MAME, of course I was carried there, I better go and take a nap
now - - - - I really feel long in the tooth! That is ORIGINAL "MAME"
Oh dear !

[Garland Grrrl]

i saw her in GYPSY when i was a fetus!

[Dollypop]

Yeah, we "crypt kickers" are old enough to have seen Angela Lansbury in MAME, That Streisand Woman in FUNNY GIRL, Bea Lillie in HIGH SPIRITS, Barbara Bel Geddes in MARY, MARY, Mary Martin in JENNY, Zero Mostel in FIDDLER, Barbara Cook in SHE LOVES ME, Vivien Leigh in TOVARICH and Carol Channing--and the other 6 great ladies who followed her--in HELLO, DOLLY!

I still have enough wind in me to climb a staircase!

Oh yes, I saw Richard Burton in HAMLET, too!

[kooky]

RIGHT ON, grave-yard mates.! Look at all the great things we have seen - - - not to mention all the show as well !

[Marquise]

damn you guys are ancient!

[kooky]

And SO proud of it Marquise, speaking ONLY for myself!

[iluvtheatertrash]

*sigh* I was born too late.

[cturtle]

i would LOVE to have seen this! i've never thought of her in the role, but YES i can see her being great!

i always thought julie andrews would be perfect. and then she did the recording with ben kingsley. unfortunately, it was a bit too late in her singing career.

[redhotinnyc2]

A friend of mine was one of the children (her son, what IS that character's name, anyway?) during the time that she (Angela) did it, and he has nothing but the best to say about her as a person and performer.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Redhot, I believe his name is Louis. You're talking about Anna's son, right?

[redhotinnyc2]

Ah - yes - that name always escapes me for some reason - Thank you!

[Dollypop]

Yup, the geritatric set has seen some pretty magnificent theater. What have the youngin's seen. Oh, that's right! WICKED.