Photo Flash: Angela Lansbury and Company Celebrate BLITHE SPIRIT's Final Curtain Call in D.C.
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 08, 2015
Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in an exciting North American tour of Noël Coward's smash-hit comedic play, BLITHE SPIRIT. The tour made its Washington premiere on March 17 and celebrated its final curtain call on March 29 at the National Theatre, where Ms. Lansbury made her first pre-Broadway stage debut nearly 58 years ago to the day in Hotel Paradiso. Scroll down for photos from the curtain call!
Returning to the role of Madame Arcati, for which she won her fifth Tony Award in 2009 for Best Featured Actress in a Play, Angela Lansbury ("Murder, She Wrote;" Sweeney Todd; Mame; Gaslight) was joined by an all-star cast including Charles Edwards as Charles Condomine ("Downton Abbey," The 39 Steps, Blithe Spirit - 2014 West End revival), Melissa Woodbridge as Elvira (Blithe Spirit - 2014 West End revival), Charlotte Parry as Ruth Condomine (The Winslow Boy, The Importance of Being Earnest), Simon Jones as Dr. Bradman ("Hitchhiker's Guide," The Real Thing, Blithe Spirit - 2009 Broadway revival/2014 West End revival), Susan Louise O'Connor as Edith ("Orange is the New Black," Blithe Spirit - 2009 Broadway revival) and Sandra Shipley as Mrs. Bradman (Anything Goes, Blithe Spirit - 2009 Broadway revival). The play was directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Michael Blakemore (Kiss Me, Kate; Copenhagen).
The creative team, led by two-time Tony Award-winner Michael Blakemore, included scenic and costume designs by Helen Hayes Award-winner Simon Higlett; Angela Lansbury's costume designs by two-time Tony Award-winner Martin Pakledinaz, and sound design by Olivier Award-winners Ben and Max Ringham.
The National Tour of BLITHE SPIRIT began in December 2014 at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. The tour concluded in Washington, where Lansbury has received such local honors as Signature Theatre's Sondheim Award in 2010 and the Helen Hayes Awards American Express Tribute in 1990, in addition to being a Kennedy Center honoree in 2000.
Photo Credit: Daniel Swartz
The cast of BLITHE SPIRIT takes their final curtain call. (left to right) Simon Jones, Charlotte Parry, Angela Lansbury, Charles Edwards and Melissa Woodbridge.
The cast of BLITHE SPIRIT joins the audience in congratulating Angela Lansbury during their final curtain call.
Sandra Shipley, Simon Jones, Charlotte Parry, Angela Lansbury, Charles Edwards, Melissa Woodbridge and Susan Louise O'Connor
Susan Louise O'Connor, who played Edith
Sandra Shipley, who played Mrs. Bradman, and Simon Jones, who played Dr. Bradman
Melissa Woodbridge, who played Elvira
Charlotte Parry, who played Ruth Condomine
Charles Edwards, who played Charles Condomine
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