LEGENDS #6 JULIE ANDREWS
Broadway Cares decided in 2013 that is was time to recognize Julie Andrews as that plucky flower seller, Eliza Doolittle in Lerner and Lowes "My Fair Lady."
A George Bernard Shaw play, "Pygmalion" starring Mrs. Patrick Campbell was the starting point and later turned into a film by the same name starring Wendy Hiller. It had several incarnations, most notably, a Hallmark Hall of Fame television production with Julie Harris as Eliza.
And then came a Broadway musical in 1956 where it had a considerable run. The initial cast choices of Noel Coward and Mary Martin both turned it down and Mr. Coward suggested Rex Harrison for the role of Professor Higgins. The producers saw Ms. Andrews in the Broadway production of "The Boy Friend" and offered her the part of Eliza. Moss Hart agreed to direct after hearing only two songs. It won six Tony Awards incluing Best Musical and Best Actor (Harrison) in a Musical. Ms. Andrews lost out to Edith (Edie) Adams for her portrayal of Daisy Mae in "L'il Abner".
As a side note, this was the first show I saw on Broadway in 1958 (Thanks to my college roommate who invited me to his home in New Jersey for Thanksgiving) with the first replacements, Sally Ann Howes and Edward Mulhare. It was loverly!
And on to the movies in 1964...…….with Audrey Hepburn as Eliza and the winner of eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Harrison) and Best Director (George Cukor). Ironically, Julie Andrews won the Oscar that year for her performance in "Mary Poppins" while Ms. Hepburn was not even nominated.
Various productions have come and gone, most notably one starring Richard Chamberlain as Professor Higgins and an Australian outing that was directed by Julie Andrews.
And speaking of Julie.....below we have the ornament and the photo of the costume from the show that inspired it.
A George Bernard Shaw play, "Pygmalion" starring Mrs. Patrick Campbell was the starting point and later turned into a film by the same name starring Wendy Hiller. It had several incarnations, most notably, a Hallmark Hall of Fame television production with Julie Harris as Eliza.
And then came a Broadway musical in 1956 where it had a considerable run. The initial cast choices of Noel Coward and Mary Martin both turned it down and Mr. Coward suggested Rex Harrison for the role of Professor Higgins. The producers saw Ms. Andrews in the Broadway production of "The Boy Friend" and offered her the part of Eliza. Moss Hart agreed to direct after hearing only two songs. It won six Tony Awards incluing Best Musical and Best Actor (Harrison) in a Musical. Ms. Andrews lost out to Edith (Edie) Adams for her portrayal of Daisy Mae in "L'il Abner".
As a side note, this was the first show I saw on Broadway in 1958 (Thanks to my college roommate who invited me to his home in New Jersey for Thanksgiving) with the first replacements, Sally Ann Howes and Edward Mulhare. It was loverly!
And on to the movies in 1964...…….with Audrey Hepburn as Eliza and the winner of eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Harrison) and Best Director (George Cukor). Ironically, Julie Andrews won the Oscar that year for her performance in "Mary Poppins" while Ms. Hepburn was not even nominated.
Various productions have come and gone, most notably one starring Richard Chamberlain as Professor Higgins and an Australian outing that was directed by Julie Andrews.
And speaking of Julie.....below we have the ornament and the photo of the costume from the show that inspired it.
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