Directed by Michael Blakemore, the production officially opens Dec. 14 at 6:30 PM at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles following previews that began Dec. 9.
Read: "Rock Star" Angela Lansbury on Touring the Country in Her "Culminating Role"
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.
For more information visit BlitheSpiritThePlay.com.
