Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones Have a Senior Debate at The Best Man Press Conference

Although rehearsals have just begun for the upcoming starry Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's presidential drama The Best Man, five-time Tony winner Angela Lansbury and two-time Tony winner James Earl Jones are already going head-to-head. The distinguished actors humorously debated who has more seniority, during a White House-style press conference for the production on February 1.

“I like being the elder of the company,” 81-year-old Jones said proudly of the ensemble, which also includes Tony winner John Larroquette, Candice Bergen and Michael McKean. “Oh, you’re not the elder!” retorted 86-year-old Lansbury. When Jones explained that he jumped at the chance to play former President Arthur Hockstader and work with “some young kids,” Will & Grace alum Eric McCormack jokingly added, “The nice thing about this group is that I’m pushing 50 and I’m the ingénue.” Lansbury snapped back, “Watch it!”

Vidal’s drama follows two candidates (played by McCormack and Larroquette) both vying for the presidential nomination of an unidentified political party. Tony nominee Kerry Butler, who plays McCormack’s wife Mabel, is delighted to be sharing the stage with this cast of heavy hitters. “It’s like a master class sitting there, watching all of these actors,” Butler said adding, “[Jones is] almost off book already!”

Lansbury is excited to star in The Best Man during an election year because it's like “being involved in history.” The legendary actress looks forward to the contrast between the real election and the onstage one, “knowing damn well the audience has just left their television sets at home and they’re probably seeing the same scene actually taking place. Some of it is hilariously funny, as it is when we watch [the election] on television.”

The Best Man begins performances March 6 at the Schoenfeld Theatre, with opening night set for April 1.