Photo Coverage: Andrews and Hamilton in 'Spelling Bee'

Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning actress Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton - both National Ambassadors for Kid's Night on Broadway - joined the gang at The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on stage as guest spellers at the Tuesday, January 30th 7:00 p.m. performance.   Spelling Bee plays at The Circle in the Square Theatre (1633  Broadway).

Kids' Night on Broadway, an audience development program of The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., where young people attend the theatre free of charge, takes place in New York on January 30 and 31.

An internationally recognized actress, singer and author, Andrews originally rose to fame for her legendary star turns in the original Broadway productions of My Fair Lady and Camelot.  She later became an American treasure when she created the title role of Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music on film.  Hamilton is a founder of the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY, where she is the theatre's director of education and programming for young audiences.  Together, Andrews and Hamilton have collaborated on a number of books, including The Great American Mousical, which underscores the important connection between young people and Broadway.

Spelling Bee is the Tony Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman and directed by James Lapine.  "A hilariously hip musical comedy, Spelling Bee features six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves,  learning that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser," according to production notes.  The show currently stars Barrett Foa, Jessica-Snow Wilson, Deborah S. Craig, Sarah Saltzberg, Jose Llana, Jared Gertner, Derrick Baskin, Lisa Howard and Greg Stuhr.

For more information, please visit www.spellingbeethemusical.com or www.kidsnightonbroadway.com for more on Kids Night on Broadway.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Emma Walton Hamilton

Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Andrews

Lisa Howard with cast members and guest spellers, including Jared Gertner, Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg, Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton and Jose Llana 

Lisa Howard with cast members and guest spellers, including Jared Gertner, Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg, Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton, Jose Llana and Barrett Foa

Greg Sturh with Spelling Bee stars and guest spellers, including Jessica-Snow Wilson, Jared Gertner, Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg, Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton and Jose Llana

(At desk) Lisa Howard and Greg Stuhr with cast and spellers, including (from bottom row) Jessica-Snow Wilson, Jared Gertner, Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg, Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton, Jose Llana and Barrett Foa

(From bottom row) Cast and spellers, including Jared Gertner, Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg, Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton, Jose Llana and Barrett Foa

Derrick Baskin with (from bottom row) cast and spellers, including Jessica-Snow Wilson, Jared Gertner, Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg, Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton, Jose Llana and Barrett Foa

Cast and spellers, including (from bottom row) Jared Gertner, Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg and Deborah S. Craig

Cast and spellers, including (from bottom row) Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg, Deborah S. Craig and Emma Walton Hamilton

Emma Walton Hamilton

Julie Andrews

Emma Walton Hamilton

Cast and spellers, including (from bottom row) Julie Andrews, Sarah Saltzberg and Deborah S. Craig

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews and cast


Julie Andrews and cast

Julie Andrews and cast

Julie Andrews and cast

Julie Andrews and Derrick Baskin

Julie Andrews and Derrick Baskin

Julie Andrews and Derrick Baskin

Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Andrews

Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Andrews

(Bottom row) Derrick Baskin, Jessica-Snow Wilson, Sarah Saltzberg and Jared Gertner; (Middle row) Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Andrews, Barrett Foa; (Top row) Jose Llana, Greg Stuhr and Lisa Howard

(Bottom row) Derrick Baskin, Jessica-Snow Wilson, Sarah Saltzberg and Jared Gertner; (Middle row) Deborah S. Craig, Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Andrews, Barrett Foa; (Top row) Jose Llana, Greg Stuhr and Lisa Howard

As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of 'GREASE'. His Journey to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. Walter moved to Manhattan and for a leading role as a Photographer & Photo Researcher. Currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and family members Dali (Jack Russell) & Gala (Schnoodle). Recently he made his Broadway debut sharing the stage with Hugh Jackman in 'Hugh Jackman on Broadway' as well as receiving the Actors' Equity Association Gypsy Spirit Award. Walter McBride Photography is syndicated worldwide by Corbis/AP.

More Articles by This Author...