Julie Andrews - From My Fair Lady to Mary Poppins
by Claire J Rottenberg
Julie
Andrews started
studying music as a child and by the age of 12 was
already performing professionally. In the 1950s,
while in her late teens, she appeared in plays in
London's West End. Her first Broadway play, "The
Boy Friend," opened in 1954, and Andrews gained
the attention of critics. Two years later, she
starred in " My Fair
Lady"
in the lead role of Eliza Doolittle, a part that
led to Broadway stardom and a Tony nomination. "My
Fair Lady" was followed by another Lerner and
Loewe hit, "Camelot,"
in 1960.
Andrews' film career started in 1964, with her
portrayal of "Mary
Poppins."
The Disney film was a huge success and the lead
role earned Andrews an Academy Award for Best
Actress. It also launched her movie career that
spanned more than 40 years and included over 20
feature films. Her most acclaimed films include
the Academy Award winning, "The Sound of Music,"
Andrews' first non-musical film, "The
Americanization of Emily," "Torn Curtain,"
"Hawaii," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and
"Victor/Victoria."
In 1997, Andrews underwent throat surgery that left
her unable to sing. Eleven years later, she sang once
again in a short documentary entitled "Julie Andrews'
The Gift of Music."