If Julie Andrews hadn’t lost her voice — Page 2

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.

broadway86 said: "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?"

Very much this. Dolly is a quirky role in her own right, and Julie is classy, queenly perfection. And I remember even thinking Donna might be too pristine for it, but everyone I know who saw her in it, said otherwise.

Aas for the topic at hand, it's hard to say as we're so far beyond that er oaf her life, but all I can say if thank goodness above that she transitioned into straight acting well and quickly, lest we lost a legend of legends.

gregnyc2 said: "I’ve been besotten with Julie since the age of six and the MP premiere. My beloved grandmother, driving me to downtown Wichita, saying “I think you’re really going to like this Julie Andrews. Poppy (my grandfather) and I loved her when we saw Camelot....”

It’s no secret exactly that Julie made her career decisions in deference to Blake’s whims and needs, especially the stage version of VV. I direct you all to the wonderful NYT Magazine on VV piece “what she did for love” and the fairly astonishing Vanity Fair piece on VV with those tremendous Annie Leibovitz photos — especially when Julie says in a rehearsal something like “let’s just listen to the music (a VV song) because the lyrics are so bad”

I was living in Chicago at the long Out of town stint of VV at the Shubert. I went six times , from the first preview (god awful) through the end if the Chicago run, and watched firsthand its development. It got better and then Blake kept tinkering badly (that clown balloon man). Midway, they had Julie doing Crazy World (after her lê Jazz success) on a bare stage in front of a mirror, and it made perfect sense. Then they moved it to the end of act one, terribly staged, Julie had a cocktail glass and had to set it in the stage floor, all of the characters on stage with full lighting Blake and the producers seemed to miss the pint that everyone was there to see Julie. Plus the new music from Mancini (and Wildhorn)was generally terrible. But there was GREG Jbara, who pretty much singlehandedly bumped up the show to an audience pleaser with his last (finally singing) line. The first preview, I sat in the midst f everyone, Blake, Tony Adams, Jules Fisher -Willa Kim sat next to me, saying “they have to give me more money to redesign Julie’s finale dress....she has that tummy pooch in this costume”

Sigh. (Btw, Willa did redesign that costume for Broadway)

Mme Arnfeldt is a great match. I’d love to see Julie in three tall women.
"

Sorry, I just have to say...it's so cool to read about what these legendary actors did earlier in their careers. Thank you for sharing this!

What the Tony committee got wrong was the single nomination. There should've been one for Rachel York and one for Greg Jbara, with none for Miss Julie. The whole show was a misfire for me since the first Minneapolis previews - sadly it didn't evolve much for the better since.

The only time I have ever actually enjoyed the stage show was when Liza took over and you got to feel the tension burning between her and Tony Roberts. She didn't really know what show she was doing or her blocking or anything. Talk about dangerous theatre - the whole place was a powderkeg! I'll never forget that performance ever. I believe the day after I saw the show, the Post article about the Liza/Tony situation came out. At the end of the weekend, he was out of the show.

Liza covered for a few weeks while Julie had surgery (I believe) during the first few months of 1997. I'm sure there's a thread about it, but she had difficulty learning lines/blocking and took a lot of liberties with the script (the most famous was allegedly changing "I'm a second rate hoofer" to "I'm a second rate hooker". Although the funniest was now Victoria was singing a high E and breaking glasses - oh and she was from SaskatchewAHHHHHn! Tony Roberts, who had been in the show from the get-go was not a fan at all (he struck me as a consummate professional who was over Liza's "antics" or difficulties or whatever was going on). The two onstage pretending to like each other was HILARIOUS because they looked so uncomfortable together. Tony would literally turn his back at times in frustration. I've never seen a "You and Me" with such unintended comedy! The Post caught wind of backstage turmoil, wrote an article and Tony Roberts staged a sick-out. Eventually, it was decided he would remain out and come back with Julie. I understand completely why Mr. Roberts was upset - he probably felt embarrassed - as Liza was clearly not up to the demands of the role at the time and was not reigned in by anyone.

Honestly, this is my most cherished memory of theatregoing. This feud was the kind of thing that lives in legend and to see it play out during the course of a show was at times heartbreaking, mind-boggling, and frankly, uncomfortable. But I wouldn't have changed a second of it.

TotallyEffed said: "She is doing more than one talkback at Metrograph, and tickets aren’t extremely expensive. I can only make it to one, and I am certainly not missing out on the chance to see her in person, if only for a Q&A after the film."

It looks like the Q&A showing is sold out and the others are "extended introductions." Does anyone know what that really means?

How bad was Raquel Welch in the role when she took over in June, 1997 ? I recall the show closed a few weeks later after she took the stage.

I also recall Toni Tenille doing the tour, which came through my city in the late 90s. She was out for most of the run here - only playing Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights 'due to illness' . (She skipped Tuesday - Thursday evenings, and the weekend matinees). A friend of mine did catc TT on the Saturday evening performance, and thought she was very good.

ggersten said: "EdEval said: "Julie could have done nicely as Margaret Johnson in Light in the Piazza."

Get me to the alternate universe where this happened!

Well, she was 70 when the show opened. I adore her as much as anyone, but that would have been...not the best idea.