Wonder Woman of the Week: Julie Andrews

I think we can all agree one of the most influential women in theatre and theater history was Julie Andrews. I grew up watching the Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and even The Princess Diaries. Andrews was more than a film actress though. She changed the sound of musical theatre and became a dame (female equivalent of knight) in 2000. She’s a role model for actresses and actors- and she’s the Wonder Woman of the Week.

Julie Andrews was born in 1935 in England to a musical family. Andrew;s mother was a pianist and her stepfather was a singer. In the 1950’s Andrews moved to the United States to perform in musical theatre beginning with The Boyfriend before earning a Tony nomination for her performance in My Fair Lady the following year. In 1960, she earned her second Tony nomination for her performance in Camelot. [1]

In 1964, Julie Andrews starred in the two films The Americanization of Emily and Mary Poppins. She won the Academy Award for her role as Mary Poppins. The following year, Andrews starred in the film The Sound of Music and was nominated for a second Academy Award. [2]

During the 1970’s and 80’s, Julie Andrews acted in a series of controversial films touching on subjects like satire of Hollywood and gender bending. In a stage production of her film Victor/Victoria, Andrews earned her third Tony Award nomination. (She refused this nomination claiming the rest of the cast had been overlooked.) [1]

Julie Andrews’ vocal chords were permanently damaged after having surgery in the 90’s, but it didn’t stop the actress from continuing her work. After being knighted in 2000 by the Queen of England (making her a certified Dame), Andrews acted in The Princess Diaries and its sequel as the queen of a fictional nation. She also lent her voice to two Shrek films. [1]

The soundtrack to The Sound of Music is still running through the heads of theatre fans today and the film would have been nowhere near as successful without the help of Julie Andrews. Her acting and singing talents revolutionized film and musical theatre during the 1960’s and her work continues to be relevant in an age where teen stick their heads in iPads every waking hour. Andrews is one of only a handful of 60’s actors- regardless of gender- children born after 1990 can claim to know.

“Julie Andrews Biography.” 2015. Biography.com. Accessed 26 August 2015. http://www.biography.com/people/julie-andrews-9184978#film-success