Classic and Classy - Performer Julie Andrews

This week's post might just be my favorite to research/write, as I delve into the award-winning performance history of Julie Andrews! She has had a wide range of experiences in her professional career, including radio, Broadway, film, and television. I know there are a few immediate songs/films that come to mind when I hear her name! She was a beloved figure in my childhood, that's for sure. Let's dive into her impressive repertoire. 

Early Life

Julie was born in Surrey, England to her mother Barbara Wells, a gifted pianist, and her father Ted Wells, a schoolteacher. Her mother and father divorced when she was a young child, but soon after, Barbara remarried to Ted Andrews, who helped raise young Julie. Ted Andrews, an accomplished professional singer, was the first to recognize young Julie's raw singing talents; "Immediately impressed with the child's voice, large vocal range, perfect pitch, and precocious musical ability." (Academy of Achievements). 

Musical Career

Her professional musical roots stem from her youth. Mentored by Lilian Styles-Allen, a well known singer, in 1944 at the tender age of 8, set to join her mother and step-father in their family act at 10 years old. She made her official premiere singing in tandem with her stepfather on a radio show in 1947. That was just her first step in her journey out in the limelight, where she quickly found her rightful place, not that it was without its trials. Here are some  examples of her successes, her royal command performance of the British National Anthem in 1948, the London Stage Door Canteen singing Polonaise in 1946, her broadway debut The Boy Friend in 1954, Broadways' My Fair Lady in 1956, Broadways' Camelot in 1960, her roles in the series of british pantomimes in 1940s-50s, her award-winning role in Mary Poppins in 1964 and her renowned role in The Sound of Music in 1965. I want to specifically look at some of her pivotal performances: her role of Maria Von Trapp singing "My Favorite Things" in The Sound of Music, her role of Mary Poppins singing "A Spoonful of Sugar" in Mary Poppins, and her role of Cinderella in a british pantomime.

"My Favorite Things"

 This song was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein in 1959 and has been covered thousands of times by many many musical groups/individuals, ranging from Diana Ross and The Supremes to Kenny Rodgers. Julie Andrews had the opportunity of performing it in the film "The Sound of Music",  although the song made its official debut on the Broadway stage in 1959, first sung by Mary Martin (a muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein's), little did they know it would gain such widespread popularity then and now!   

"A Spoonful of Sugar"

 This famous song was written in 1964 by brothers Robert and Richard Sherman, hired by Walt Disney to write and curate the soundtrack for his new films. The song was not in the original line up they created for this new film; it was a replacement for a song that did not quite get the positive reaction they were anticipating. It was inspired by Robert's sons' polio vaccination, "Just a drop of liquid on a sugar cube that he swallowed." (Elkins). Julie and her child co-stars, Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice,  performed this magical number together in the movie, and it has truly been a beacon of enjoyment through the years.

London Palladium Pantomime

 For this last example, I wanted to link her role as Cinderella in this holiday pantomime. All of the songs she performs in this 1957 production were written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, again! This musical was written with TV specifically in mind; this production has also famously lived on. Another notable version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's had Brandy Norwood casted as Cinderella and Whitney Houston casted as her fairy godmother.

All performers have certain styles and techniques that set them apart from all the others in their profession. After listening to the three performances I linked above, there is something quite distinct about Andrews style, something she's widely known for, her impeccable "crystalline" diction! Her articulation and clarity are perfect for stage performances and musicals alike. Her musical training from a young age was geared more towards the operatic and classical style, as that was what her parents intended for her, as she was going to join their family act. Another skill of hers, as an award winning performer, is her harmonic capabilities. The songs I linked are solos, but she has many other duet/group performances that showcase her beautiful ability to harmonize. A good example of this is some of the songs she and Dick Van Dyke (another wildly talented singer/performer) duet in the film "Mary Poppins", Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Chim Chim Cher-ee. Its all part of the performance, the dancing and singing simultaneously, the intricate rhymes, lyrics, the perfect articulation! Her role as a performer is one of bringing the music to life, beyond just singing a melody. There are very capable and talented song writers that can't quite give life to the music and lyrics they have composed. Andrews has the job of taking that music and breathing life into it, so others have the privilege of enjoying something that would have otherwise stayed sheet music. 

  

Chimney Sweep Scene in Mary Poppins

      

She is such an entertaining music personality, a level of talent that is not seen often in recent times. I have been a big fan of hers for many, many years; her films and songs have been a staple in my childhood years and is a big inspiration to me personally. She offers such life and fun in each of her productions, making them not soon forgotten. She etched her legacy in stone and will forever be known for all her lovable characters and performances. I'm actually introducing my son to these famous films/song of her as i've written this and I think its safe to say he'll be carrying on my love for her and her talent, into the future. Bye for now. 

                                                                  References

“Dame Julie Andrews.” Academy of Achievement, https://achievement.org/achiever/julie-andrews/#biography

“Julie Andrews | Kennedy Center.” The Kennedy Center, 2001, https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/a/aa-an/julie-andrews/

Gilmer, Sigrid. “Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.” Center Theatre Group, 18 Mar. 2015, https://www.centertheatregroup.org/news-and-blogs/news/2015/march/richard-rodgers-and-oscar-hammerstein/

Elkins, Kimberly. “The Story behind “a Spoonful of Sugar.”” Guideposts, 27 May 2021, ‌https://guideposts.org/positive-living/entertainment/movies-and-tv/the-story-behind-a-spoonful-of-sugar/

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