Julie Andrews poll?

[Lorelai]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 12:32am

This thread is actually in response to the other thread talking about Ms. Andrews' loss of voice due to surgery. A comment was made that, if not for the accident, Ms. Andrews (not a young woman) would have pretty much lost her ability to perform because of her age.

This accident did not happen when she "was 30 or 35" and Ms. Andrews did have a wonderful career behind her at the time. But who knows what she may have accomplished if not for this ordeal?

So....here's my question: Who among us would still love and pay to have the chance to see Ms. Andrews perform in a musical (live) as opposed to listening to a cast recording?

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 8:37am

Of course. She's been a part of my life since I was born. She could play Desiree in Texas when Maria and Daisy have finished "Gypsy".

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 8:48am

Julie Andrews is the reason I got into show business in the first place. The first movie I ever saw was The Sound of Music and I fell instantly in love with her and with music in general. I would definitely pay to see her in just about anything - musicl or non. She is a consumate performer.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 9:12am

LOVE HER!!

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 9:26am

Without a doubt! Yes! Certainly! Of Course!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 9:36am

I believe I've been misquoted, or misparaphrased. My exact words were, "By the time of this surgery, she was getting to the point in life where she would have begun to lose range anyway as a natural part of the aging process." I never said she would have lost her ability to perform.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 8:26pm

I apologize if I misunderstood you, but about losing range.....

I was speaking to a friend who happens to be a successful voice teacher who told me that, sure, lose of range can occur because of age, no doubt. But it doesn't *always* happen. However, if it does, it can be due to passaggio technique (which i *think* is the sequeway between one vocal register to another?) so there are instances where incorrect vocalization can be blamed. This, added with age, makes it harder for a singer to keep the range they had when they were, say, 30 years old. If a singer starts to notice this as they get older, voice lessons and proper vocal exercise can be one option. (but, my friend said a lot of singers get frustrated and quit). This doesn't happen to everyone and, when it is, there are ways to help, only not on undamaged vocal chords.
Think about it, after this accident wasn't it believed that Ms. Andrews would never be able to sing again at all? I know she'd been taking vocal lessons, which accounts for her ability to sing the little she did in PD2. The determation of this woman truly amazing.

"I apologize if I misunderstood you, but about losing range.....

I was speaking to a friend who happens to be a successful voice teacher who told me that, sure, lose of range can occur because of age, no doubt. But it doesn't *always* happen. However, if it does, it can be due to passaggio technique (which i *think* is the sequeway between one vocal register to another?) so there are instances where incorrect vocalization can be blamed. This, added with age, makes it harder for a singer to keep the range they had when they were, say, 30 years old. If a singer starts to notice this as they get older, voice lessons and proper vocal exercise can be one option. (but, my friend said a lot of singers get frustrated and quit). This doesn't happen to everyone and, when it is, there are ways to help, only not on undamaged vocal chords.
Think about it, after this accident wasn't it believed that Ms. Andrews would never be able to sing again at all? I know she'd been taking vocal lessons, which accounts for her ability to sing the little she did in PD2. The determation of this woman truly amazing. Something so precious lost forever, I can't imagine the devestation.

"Before we turn this into a horrible tragedy, let's remember that she had a long, prestigious career that most people can only dream about."

You may not see it as a tragedy but, personally, I believe that is an excellent way to describe the situation. I myself will never get to experience Ms. Andrews' perform in a live musical on Broadway...and I DO consider that a tragedy.

[EganFan2]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 8:53pm

It is so sad that she has lost her beautiful voice. But I don't know what kind of role she could do now to show off her voice. If she gave a concert I would see that.

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:06pm

Julie=total freaking legend.

I mean, I started my "major" musical career with Sound of Music. So, anything to see her, be in her prescence, maybe aqquire some DNA to replicate her, would be awesome.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:16pm

I would (and I kid you not) sell myself into slavery at the mere chance that I would get to meet her and hear her sing live again.

I saw her at the airport when I was younger, and my mother kept telling me to go talk to her but I was afraid. Curse my fear!

[Kimmygonbefamous]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:25pm

Oh gosh, of course I would. Julie Andrews just emanates such warmth and class when she performs. Or even sits and exists for that matter. Or maybe I just love English people. But yes, of course I would pay to go see her.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:26pm

While there are those rare freaks of nature who are still capable of high quality singing well into their 60s and 70s (Rosa Ponselle, Leontyne Price, Birgit Nilsson come to mind), they are certainly the exception and not the rule. No matter how well one takes care of the instrument, there is going to be a degree of deterioration past age 65 (heck, age 50 in most cases). One may still sing well, but certainly not AS well as one did in one's 30s.

I have a feeling Andrew's vanity will keep her from singing regularly on stage ever again -- though her upper range is still decent. She sang the last few bars of "I Could Have Danced All Night" high notes and all at an all-star benefit concert a couple of years ago and dazzled the house. Perhaps she could do a mini-concert consisting of songs that only require her upper register? Doretta's song from La Rondine for example. I don't know. She's had a long, incredibly successful career and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone at this point, but I do think she misses singing just for the fun of it and that's too bad.

[EganFan2]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:32pm

Her upper register? Then what exactly was damaged? I always thought she could never hit those hit notes again because of what happened.

[Caitlin]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 9:33pm

OMG I would pay big money to see Julie live on stage any day!

[Feodor Sverdlov]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 10:54pm

Julie's middle register is what is gone (where she did most of her singing). Although, she would have trouble with any singing, as she often has a hoarse voice. I've paid to see Julie Andrews, live, in multiple venues and shows, and I would pay again to hear her read the Manhattan telephone directory, if that's what she chose to do.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 1:08am

*I would pay again to hear her read the Manhattan telephone directory, if that's what she chose to do."

Same with the Manhattan telephone directory idea, I would pay to say the alphabet..... Yellow pages or white pages or both?

Personally, I would choose both but that's just me.

[teth]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 1:23am

I wold pay for her to say my name.

(Oh gawd...the song "Say my name" just started playing in my head...)

[Sally]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 1:52am

<< While there are those rare freaks of nature who are still capable of high quality singing well into their 60s and 70s (Rosa Ponselle, Leontyne Price, Birgit Nilsson come to mind), they are certainly the exception and not the rule. No matter how well one takes care of the instrument, there is going to be a degree of deterioration past age 65 (heck, age 50 in most cases). One may still sing well, but certainly not AS well as one did in one's 30s. >>

Those are all operatic voices. Is there any difference for musical theater voices (understanding that there is some overlap in kinds of voices)? Would the kind of training or the difficulty of the singing in Opera/musical theater come into it at all?

[Jim Colyer]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 2:13am

Julie Andrews never could sing. The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins were rediculous. It was all Beatles in those days.
The only good thing Andrews ever did was Hawaii (1966) with Max von Sydow.

[Sally]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 3:01am

<< Julie Andrews never could sing. The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins were rediculous. It was all Beatles in those days.
The only good thing Andrews ever did was Hawaii (1966) with Max von Sydow.>>

Hmmm, There's something "rediculous" about this post, but I don't think it has anything to do with Julie Andrews. I'll think about it.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 8:57am

I had the pleasure of seeing her do Putting it Together at Manhattan Theatre Club and she was wonderful - it was amazing sitting a few feet away from her and hearing and seeing that presence on stage.

[kangaroo]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 11:12am

I think she is amazing, and she still would have been. When she talks, it is as if she is singing. Her speaking voice is so lovely.

[rice and beans AND cheese]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 12:28pm

Who would not go see it? When I was a baby the only movie I ever watched was Mary Poppins, so I grew up on her musicals.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 12:31pm

I'd go to see her sing....but will someone buy my ticket??? Also, it's nice that she is still doing some acting, I haven't seen The Princess Diaries 2, yet, but I hear she was the best part in it, with her "Shut Up"

[Cosette]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 12:39pm

Do you suppose that Julie probably lost part of her voice, which is like the best part?! Do you think she'll ever sing again? Truth be told, I've loved her since Mary Poppins and she's one of the reasons that I started singing and she's just a great singer/actress.