Posted: 10/11/19 at 2:44pm
In the past 20 plus years. What roles do you think Ms. Andrews would have taken on had she not lost her singing voice?
Updated On: 10/11/19 at 02:44 PM
Posted: 10/11/19 at 2:51pm
The way she's always talked I don't think she'd have done much more on stage after Victor/Victoria. The toll it took on her physically was apparently a lot not to mention the pressure of an entire show resting on you. I think she'd have done more concert work, but I don't think she'd have come back as, say, Mame in 2003 or anything.
Posted: 10/11/19 at 2:57pm
Posted: 10/11/19 at 3:07pm
She could almost do that now...maybe?
Posted: 10/11/19 at 3:10pm
magictodo123 said: "Okay stay with me here...Dolly Levi.
Maybe?"
I mean, I'd pay big money to see it, but I don't think she's right for that role. She's too... English?
Posted: 10/11/19 at 3:29pm
nasty_khakis said: "The way she's always talked I don't think she'd have done much more on stage after Victor/Victoria. The toll it took on her physically was apparently a lot not to mention the pressure of an entire show resting on you. I think she'd have done more concert work, but I don't think she'd have come back as, say, Mame in 2003 or anything."
I agree. Her return to Broadway in 1996 with Victor/Victoria was after a very long hiatus; granted, she had a very active film career during that time. Her role in Victor/Victoria was based on a film role she created 15 years earlier, so that film role served as the impetus for her to come back to the stage. As you said, the role took a toll on her. In addition, she was bitter because come Tony time, she was the only nominee from her show, which she publicly denounced as an "egregious" oversight. In a show of solidarity with her fellow artists and creators, she declined the nomination. Even though her name officially remained on the ballot, the Tony for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical went to Donna Murphy for the The King and I. If Andrews hadn't declined the nomination, I think she would have pulled off a win if only for sentimental reasons. I remember seeing the show and thinking it was pleasant, but not great. I enjoyed the opening number, "Paris by Night," but the rest of the show as just okay. Given the dynamics surrounding the Tony nomination and the stress of carrying a Broadway show, I don't think she was really interested in taking on additional roles that required 8 shows a week, even if she only performed 7 shows like Midler did in Dolly!
Posted: 10/11/19 at 3:39pm
Not for nothing, but I'd kill to see her take on Madame Armfeldt, even if only for a one night concert. She could easily pull that off
Posted: 10/11/19 at 3:45pm
musikman said: "Not for nothing, but I'd kill to see her take on Madame Armfeldt, even if only for a one night concert. She could easily pull that off"
She would be very good, if that was allowed. I know as part of her settlement she has to be really careful and it's almost down to an exact "no more than three notes sustained" as far as what she can do without breaking the agreement. She's done live concert type things and did a tiny bit of a song in Princess Diaries 2 but it was a legal thing where for the live things she has to over-advertise she won't be singing, just speaking on pitch.
Posted: 10/11/19 at 3:51pm
I have a vague recollection that she did the stage show out of love for her husband - nearly all of her films in the 70s and 80s were directed by Blake Edwards. I recall reading her saying that the musical was a financial mistake because you couldn't sell the film rights, since there already was a film.
Posted: 10/11/19 at 4:11pm
Madame Armfeldt was also the first thing that came to mind.
Is there really an agreement in the settlement that she can't sing in public again even if she does regain some of what she lost? I never heard that.
Posted: 10/11/19 at 4:20pm
Yes. Part of the settlement was because in losing her singing voice she stood to lose a lot of income on stage, film, recordings, etc. It would break the settlement agreement if she performed and made money singing. She talked about it at some point, but forgive me I don't remember the exact interview or when.
Posted: 10/11/19 at 4:26pm
and you are correct
ggersten said: "I have a vague recollection that she did the stage show out of love for her husband - nearly all of her films in the 70s and 80s were directed by Blake Edwards. I recall reading her saying that the musical was a financial mistake because you couldn't sell the film rights, since there already was a film."
Posted: 10/11/19 at 4:55pm
Posted: 10/11/19 at 5:10pm
Posted: 10/11/19 at 6:04pm
Posted: 10/11/19 at 7:02pm
I really wanted Julie to play Mrs. Higgins in the recent My Fair Lady revival, but alas, that didn't happen. I often think how funny it is that she's never won a Tony but she's known for musicals. I selfishly want her to be an EGOT. Being an EGO ain't so bad though...
Posted: 10/11/19 at 7:13pm
degrassifan said: "I really wanted Julie to play Mrs. Higgins in the recent My Fair Lady revival, but alas, that didn't happen. I often think how funny it is that she's never won a Tony but she's known for musicals. I selfishly want her to be an EGOT. Being an EGO ain't so bad though..."
Oooo that would have been great!!
Posted: 10/11/19 at 7:50pm
Posted: 10/11/19 at 8:54pm
I have been a HUGE fan of Julie Andrews ever since I was a small child, listening to "The Sound of Music" soundtrack when I was at my aunt's house every weekend. When I finally got to see the film in 70s when it was re-released, I became hooked by how amazing she was. I loved the film version of "Victor, Victoria" and was thrilled beyond belief when they announced that they would do the pre-Broadway engagement of the musical in Chicago. I had balcony seats very close to the stage and couldn't wait for the houselights to go down and the show to start. My favorite number in the movie was "Le Jazz Hot" and couldn't wait for it to begin. Imagine my surprise to hear how slowly the tempo was on the song and Ms. Andrews was carried around on stage as if she were an invalid. At least the show was able to introduce me to Rachel York, who performance in Lesley Ann Warren's part was amazing...
Posted: 10/11/19 at 8:56pm
Posted: 10/11/19 at 9:03pm
She’d make an interesting Norman Desmond. People forget what a wonderful actor she really is and she made an effort to branch into grittier roles in her younger days so Norma would be an interesting choice.
As cliche as it is I’d love to see her as Morrible in the WICKED movie. I can’t recall if she’s ever played a villain but I bet she has it in her.
She could have been a great replacement for Chita had THE VISIT been more successful.
Posted: 10/11/19 at 10:57pm
Posted: 10/11/19 at 11:05pm
Posted: 10/12/19 at 7:21am
Posted: 10/12/19 at 8:51am
ggersten said: "I have a vague recollection that she did the stage show out of love for her husband - nearly all of her films in the 70s and 80s were directed by Blake Edwards. I recall reading her saying that the musical was a financial mistake because you couldn't sell the film rights, since there already was a film."
I saw the show and it was more exciting to me that President Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger sat two rows behind me, At intermission, you were allowed to interact with them and get pictures, etc. Regardless of how you may have felt about them, it was cool to be that close to a former President and Secretary of State. Back to the show. Rachel York was the best thing and definitely deserved a Tony nomination. If I remember the gossip at the time correctly, Julie did NOT want to do the show, It was Blake, who was having financial issues, that kept on her (nicer way of saying pressured) to do the show. She caved in and finally agreed. I stage doored that night. She came out and walked directly to her car. She didn't say a word, didn't sign and really didn't acknowledge the fans, even with a smile. I enjoyed the show when I saw it, because I was a fan of Julie. But the show was a weaker retread of the movie and it is possible that the Tony Committee at that time, got it right, when they didn't receive the nominations they thought they were going to get.
