Photo Coverage: Goodspeed's Tribute to Julie Andrews

Goodspeed Musicals of East Haddam, Connecticut paid tribute to the one and only Dame Julie Andrews on Saturday, June 11 by presenting her with The Goodspeed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre. Close friends and colleagues Christopher Plummer and Rachel York were the special guests honoring Ms. Andrews at the gala reception and ceremony.

Plummer, two-time Tony Award winner and Andrews' co-star in the beloved film "The Sound of Music," read his very personal "Ode to Julie" that regaled the 400-plus patrons in attendance with clever rhymes about his unrequited love for her and his losing the role of Lancelot to an unknown named Robert Goulet. York, accompanied on the piano by composer David Kirschenbaum, sang Sondheim's "Old Friend" and then put her own special twist on "Jolly Holiday with Julie" by affectionately impersonating her mentor and co-star of "Putting It Together" and "Victor/Victoria."

Andrews graciously accepted her award by acknowledging the important contributions that Goodspeed Musicals has made to Broadway and the rest of the musical theater world by developing new works and reviving classics for new generations. Next on the Goodspeed schedule is the Andrews' directed revival of "The Boy Friend," the musical that launched her American Broadway career when she was just 19. The show will run on the Goodspeed mainstage from July 8 through September 18, then embark on a 21-week tour across the U.S. and Canada.

In closing, Andrews demonstrated her trademark cheeky humor by making one simple request of those in attendance. "During the next few weeks, if you see me on your roads, and I'm driving a bit too slowly, please," she cajoled. "Do me a favor. Lay off the damn horn."

Rachel York, Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews

Old friends Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews

Newer friends Julie Andrews, Ayal Miodovnik and Rachel York

Christopher Plummer gets the ball rolling with his delightful "Ode to Julie"

Julie Andrews graciously thanks the good folks at Goodspeed for the honor,
reminisces about her brilliant career and gives special friends Christopher Plummer and
Rachel York a special nod for giving up their time to be with her.

Dame Andrews accepts a $14,600 bouquet of roses from
the evening's most generous Silent Auction bidders.

Rachel York exclaims, "What do you sing for Julie Andrews?!"
Doing a spot on impersonation of her friend and mentor, Rachel York says,
"Oh, no, Rachel, please, not that song. Not in front of all these people."