Spirited Laughter

Date: January 7, 2015

Destination: Ahmanson Theatre, Downtown Los Angeles

Cost: $48.00 (two dinners & drinks)

Sometimes you just get lucky. I’d wanted to see Blithe Spirit at the Ahmanson for many reasons. I love the work of Noël Coward, having performed in Hay Fever twice. We put on Blithe Spirit in high school (I was costuming assistant) and I’ve seen good productions of the show since then at the Pasadena Playhouse and Utah Shakespeare Festival. I’m a big Downtun Abbey fan and the Ahmanson production featured Charles Edwards (who plays Lady Edith’s lover in the PBS show) as the lead character, Charles Condomine. And who wouldn't want to see Angela Lansbury perform live on stage at the age of 89?

But tickets were pricey, and my New Year’s resolution was to balance my budget, so I was resigned to missing this show. Until my friend Sarah called. Her neighbor was a season ticket holder at the Music Center, and her husband wasn’t interested in attending the play. She generously offered to treat me to the ticket! Sarah and her husband have season tickets as well and we’d all go together.

We agreed to meet up early to have dinner at FIGat7TH pre-show. City Tavern is a favorite of Sarah’s and I can see why: the pastrami burger is to die for! It’s a typically trendy gastropub, with exposed brick walls and whimsical chalkboard drawings, and, naturally, an excellent selection of craft brews. We arrived during “hoppy hour”, so there was special pricing on well drinks, suds, wines and some snacks.  We all enjoyed our meals and the friendly service.

As the curtain rose at the Ahmanson, we knew we were in for a treat. The beautifully detailed set and stylized acting set the tone for England in the early forties. Billowing sheer curtains became a metaphor for ephemeral spirits. Coward’s comedic masterpiece has lost none of its sharp wit in the seventy years since it originally debuted. The most amazing supernatural feat was Angela Lansbury’s performance as Madame Arcati. As a consummate professional, one expects her to bring sharp detail to a role, but the vitality, dead-on comic timing and vigorous physical humor she brought to the stage was inspiring. It helped me realize how many productive years we can have if we are blessed with good genes and take care of ourselves. And it’s very healthy to have a good, strong laugh.