Being such a theatre icon it seems such a pity that she has not returned to the stage since the unfortunately tragic event in the later 90's. Does anyone think that Julie Andrews will ever return ( even im a play ) to broadway... Hopefully finally win her Tony. I know I've heard that she is directing a little play based on one of her books. But I would love to see her on stage ... At least once more
well she thought Victor/Victoria was overlooked therefore she said she couldn't except the nomination.
The tragic thing that happened during the run of the show was that she had to have surgery, and it was a botched procedure, and she couldn't really sing well anymore.
"Can someone furthere explain this tragic event/Andrews giving up her Tony win? I am curious and have never heard these stories. "
Andrews received the sole Tony nomination for Victor/Victoria. The night of (or after, I forget exactly) the nominations came out, after that evening's performance, she gave a speech at the curtain call stating that the production had been "egregiously overlooked" and that she therefore "declined" her nomination.
Since one can't really "decline" a nomination, she remained a nominee, ultimately losing to Donna Murphy.
She needs a special tony award. At the very least.
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A thought for Andrews Originating a New Role would be as the Grand Duchess in Anastasia if Lansbury doesn't end up attached. Would be a Featured Role (Tony!) but not require too much singing/vocal strain..
Since one can't really "decline" a nomination, she remained a nominee, ultimately losing to Donna Murphy.
That's not entirely true. When William Daniels declined his nomination for 1776, his name was, in fact, removed from the ballot. Otherwise, he would have almost certainly won (his costar, Ron Holgate, took the award in his absence). I've always assumed that the committee refused to remove Andrews' name because it made for good publicity at the time -- what would happen if she won, etc.
As for her returning to Broadway, I doubt it's likely, and almost certainly not in a musical. After her O2 performances back in 2010, I doubt she'll ever sing in public again.
Honestly, though I was young at the time, I saw three of the four nominees for best actress in 1996 (I didn't catch Big and thus missed Crista Moore's performance). If Julie had won that year it definitely would have been a case of sentimentality carrying her to that win. Between the revelation of Donna Murphy in The King and I and the utter rawness of Daphne Rubin-Vega in Rent I definitely think Julie was squarely in third place in that race. If anyone in Victor/Victoria was overlooked it was Rachel York, if only for singing one of the worst forced rhymes that I can think ("riding in a taxi, makes me feel so sexy") and not having a look of utter disgust on her face while doing so.
I'm afraid, now, that her voice may be too damaged to do a week of performances for an extended period of time in any Broadway production-- in either a musical or straight play. I hope that's not the case, I'd love to see her have an Angela Lansbury-like revival on the stage, but... I dunno. She lives closer to Broadway than Hollywood now, but I still think our best bet of seeing anymore of Julie remains on the big screen. Or maybe even directing a musical on Broadway?
"A thought for Andrews Originating a New Role would be as the Grand Duchess in Anastasia if Lansbury doesn't end up attached. Would be a Featured Role (Tony!) but not require too much singing/vocal strain.."
That would be a perfect role for her, but I doubt the Grand Duchess will be a Tony winning role
"A thought for Andrews Originating a New Role would be as the Grand Duchess in Anastasia if Lansbury doesn't end up attached. Would be a Featured Role (Tony!) but not require too much singing/vocal strain.."
I've been championing the A Little Night Music idea but I love this option.
As much as I adore Julie, I can't picture her getting a lifetime achievement award. She's originated 4 roles, and hasn't been on stage since the 90's. There are others that have done significantly more for Broadway, (to say nothing of her terrific screen career) and haven't gotten a special Tony. The biggest reason they'd give her one now would be to complete her EGOT.
And show an honorary Tony on the air? Like that'll happen. Get Score and Book in the broadcast and we'll talk.
Would she be wonderful in Kopit's WINGS? That isn't a vocally demanding role (the play, not the musical) and I think she could break hearts. And maybe win awards.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Julie Andrews declined the VICTOR/VICTORIA Tony nomination for the major reason that her husband Blake Edwards was completely shut out which had left him devastated. There were so many wonderful artists involved from the design of the sets and costumes and the sheer opulence of the entire show as well that she simply felt were grossly overlooked (egregiously as she said). As Ben Brantley of the New York Times had pointed out at the time, the show was somewhat dead in the water for the first act but mysteriously came back to life in the second. Also Donna Murphy did a great job in THE KING AND I and Julie was having vocal problems starting in previews and she was not super young at the time. To do eight shows a week at 61 is difficult to say the least. Yes, I think she should have won and not declined the nomination but paid tribute to the entire cast and crew if she’d have won. I recently wrote to Ted Chapin of the Rogers and Hammerstein Organization about lobbying to give Julie an Honorary Tony but never heard back. I don’t think at this stage in her life or career it is frankly that important to her. She’s very busy finishing up the second part of her autobiography on the Hollywood years in addition to all the boards (ie. Walt Disney Concert Hall/Los Angeles Philharmonic) she sits on as well.