Angela Lansbury Sings “Beauty and The Beast” at 90

Mrs. Potts Made a Special Appearance at the 25th Anniversary of “Beauty and the Beast” and We’re in Tears

At age 90, Angela Lansbury still has that magic in her voice. There’s no one who could make us feel all the feelings like Lansbury can. “Beauty and The Beast” celebrated it’s 25th anniversary Sunday night with a special screening in New York City, at Alice Tully Hall. Lansbury took the stage to sing the film’s iconic theme song live, with writer and composer Alan Menken’s accompaniment.

Becoming Mrs. Potts

Lansbury, famous for her role in Murder, She Wrote, voiced Mrs. Potts in the 1991 film, which also featured Page O’Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast) and Jesse Corti (Lefou). The song, written by the famous Disney duo – Howard Ashman and Alan Menken – was also sung by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson for the credits of the film. Lansbury was nominated for a Grammy in 1993 for her version of the song.

But if not for the persistence of two composers, Lansbury may have never played the motherly teapot in “Beauty and The Beast.” To get her to play the iconic role of Mrs. Potts, composers Ashman and Menken sent Lansbury a demo tape of the song with a note asking if she’d like to sing it and play the role of the charming teapot in the film. Lansbury told AFI she wasn’t sure she could do the song justice the way it was written. She recorded a version in her style, and sent it off to the composers. Ashman and Menken loved it, and Mrs. Potts was born.

An Icon

Now, at age 90, Lansbury looks and sounds just as lovely. Her smile and facial expressions bringing the song to life as she performed for hundreds Sunday night. Always the sharp dresser, Lansbury paired her white linen ensemble with a bright red jacket and delicate accessories.

Watch Angela Lansbury’s live performance of Beauty and The Beast, and instantly travel back to childhood.