At least we have that glorious video of her singing from the Beauty and the Beast anniversary screening to console us At 90, it's a marvel that this was even being considered. What an absolute treasure she is.
-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."
Devastating news! I was really hoping to see her onstage one final time. Then again, I told myself my likely final time seeing her onstage would be in Blithe Spirit. Then I got to see her in Night Music. Then I got to see her in The Best Man. So I can't be too upset.
It's a shame, but I have to applaud her for recognizing her potential limitations and leaving the game at her peak. Not every actor has the foresight to quit while she's ahead, and it's resulted in some performances that are ultimately sad and uncomfortable to watch.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
AC126748 said: "It's a shame, but I have to applaud her for recognizing her potential limitations and leaving the game at her peak. Not every actor has the foresight to quit while she's ahead, and it's resulted in some performances that are ultimately sad and uncomfortable to watch. "
While it's a terribly upsetting and disappointing news, I applaud Dame Angela's decision to leave the stage on a high note. It's just a shame that they didn't launch the production back in 2014 as it was originally planned.
She's an extraordinary talented performer, who has accomplished so much over the years. I have nothing but deepest admiration and gratitude for one of the greatest performers of all time and I feel so fortunate for being able to see her perform live over the years.
I'm absolutely certain Dame Angela will return to acting. If not on stage, then in a film or TV show.
You don't have to be at death's door to not feel up to committing to a Broadway run anymore. The lady is 91 and has been working for over 70 years. If she wants to retire, she has fully earned it.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Kad said: "You don't have to be at death's door to not feel up to committing to a Broadway run anymore. The lady is 91 and has been working for over 70 years. If she wants to retire, she has fully earned it."
My point is she never said she was going to retire. In the original statement she said, "I think that a play is just a bit too much for me to handle at this time." Everyone on this board was treating it like she'll never do a show again. Yes, she's 91, but until she says never again then I'm holding out hope.
One of my favorite theatre memories is looking up from my Orchestra aisle seat at the Colonial Theatre in Boston and seeing Angela Lansbury standing next to me, tapping her foot to the overture as she waited to make her entrance in Gypsy and winking at me when our eyes met.