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The
Stage:
DEUCE
Deuce opened on May
5 in New York.
Music and
lyrics by Terence McNally.
Directed
by Michael Balakemore.
Opening on May
5 in New York City at the Music Box Theatre.
Cast:
Angela Lansbury as Leona
Mullen
Marian Seldes as Midge Barker
Joanna P. Adler as Kelly Short
Brian Haley as Ryan Becker
Michael Mulhere as an admirer.
2007
saw the triumphant pairing of the Broadway legend
Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes onstage in the
new play "Deuce". They starred as two
former doubles tennis legends, reunited at a championship
match, in Mr. McNally's warmly funny and unexpectedly
moving new play. Receiving a nightly ovation from
the contented audience matched perfectly the brilliant
performance and showed how much the people liked
these brilliant actresses - most of all Angela
Lansbury.
Angela
Lansbury played Leona Mullen and Marian Seldes
played Midge Barker. During 1960s and early 1970s
these two were the world's best and most celebrated
women tennis players. A talented and excellent
doubles team for many years, they retired in their
late 30s and went on to have separate lives. "Deuce"
showed their first reunion in more than ten years,
at the U.S. Open in Forest Hills as guests of
the tournament. In between matches today, Leona
and Midge were shortly celebrated. While they
waited for their moment back in the spotlight,
they caught up with one another, reminisced about
old times, and worked through special regrets,
recriminations and anxieties. At the end both
women found back their sympathy for each other
and seemed to be on their way to resurrect their
friendship.
Going
to New York City and having this opportunity was
an exciting experience. Many of Miss Lansbury's
fans were longing for this for a along time and
many of them went to see the play. And they got
what they ever get when Miss Lansbury is involved
- a brilliant stage moment to remember for ever.
The beloved star of stage and screen has now vanished
from stage again. But, she will never disappear
from the hearts of those lucky enough to experience
this magical "Deuce" event. We all hope
her absence from stage won't last another long
time because Angela is still at the top of her
game.
For
me, it was the most fulfilling and exciting event
of the year. One I will cherish and that I feel
privileged to have had the opportunity to see
not just the play itself but also had the luck
to enjoy Miss Lansbury in person.
For those who want to read more about the play,
go to…
www.deuceonbroadway.com
www.deuceonbroadway.com/NYtimesDeuce.html
Text
and photos © Copyright 2007 Angie F. (AngelaLansbury.net).
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