Angela Lansbury reprises role in 'Blithe Spirit' at Ahmanson Theatre

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Legendary actress Angela Lansbury is spending the next month where she feels most at home: on stage. She's reprising her Tony-winning role in the comedy "Blithe Spirit" at the Ahmanson Theatre.

"I love playing it because it entertains people to the nth degree and people need entertaining today," Lansbury said. "Entertaining is something if you can do it, get out there and do it."

Lansbury plays Madame Arcati, the slightly oddball, bicycle-riding psychic who performs a seance for a curious mystery writer, his second wife and their friends.

Once things get going, they're visited by the writer's late first spouse.

It's a full-on comedy, which is what Lansbury says is her real forte, even though most people know her for her more dramatic roles.

"It all comes from the same source, which is imagination. If you have the imagination to play a villainess, you will have the same imagination to play an absolute nut like Madame Arcati," Lansbury laughs.

The role allows Lansbury to use all of her skills, including dancing. Not bad, for someone who recently turned 89.

"Occasionally, I'm caught up short by the fact that I am the age that I am," Lansbury said. "But I don't even think about it, I just keep going. I just keep living."

"Blithe Spirit" runs at the Ahmanson Theatre through Jan. 18.