Dataloungers, tell me about the time Julie Andrews turned down the Tony nomination

Bump for 2020

It seemed self-important. She probably would have won just for being Julie Andrews. I never saw the production, but I gathered from friends who did that the only aspect remotely Tony-worthy was Rachel York as Norma. I think the show was seen as a pretty charmless affair, a chance for Andrews, now a bit long in the tooth for the role (as she was for the movie, for that matter) to make some money and maybe grab an award. It certainly made it sure that she’ll never get a lifetime award. One thing to say that awards are silly (like Scott with the Oscar), another to pout because your vanity project was so “egregiously overlooked.” It paved the way for Donna Murphy to get her second for her excellent Anna—she probably deserved it, Andrews or no Andrews.

It was very self-important, especially since the show wasn't all that.

Blake Edwards was one of the producers, so Julie had money in it, too. The problem is that they produced a dull and lifeless version of what had been a hit movie. Andrews was too old and not in fighting shape and was unable to do 8 shows a week. She shredded her voice and missed a LOT of shows. The whole thing smelled of colossal miscalculation and disappointment.

This was hardly a good showcase for anyone. But rather than just accept that and acknowledge it, Andrews declined her nomination and made silly comments about her wonderful cast members who were 'egregiously' overlooked, thereby attempting to turn the mess back on the Tony committee and buy a little love from her employees in the show. It was a very short-sighted ploy, at best. But it didn't even work in the short term. She looked ridiculous making her little curtain speech. Sour grapes are sour grapes, even when spit from the mouth of Julie Andrews.

[quote] Do you think this was the right thing to do or was it a bit selfish on her part ("Nominate the entire cast, or don't nominate me at all!")?

it wasn't "nominate the entire cast"--she was just very unhappy her husband, Blake Edwards, was "egregiously overlooked" (her memorable phrase) because awards meant a ton to him and she really loved him. It did seem weird at the time Rachel York was not also nominated (she got pretty good reviews) and that it also was nominated for zero technical awards--since Julie was the only one from the show nominated, it looked like the Tonys were saying, "We see this only as a star vehicle for you, Julie--otherwise this show is awful." Which it pretty much was: the new songs were all terrible.

The making of this show i always thought would make a good book or movie or miniseries once Julie is dead. Making "Victor/Victoria" into a stage musical and had been something talked about since the early 80s, but it was always put off. Then Julie agreed to do it for Blake because she loved him so much, even though her voice was pretty shot by then and doing the stage show every night just ruined her vocal cords--and then when she tried to get them fixed surgically, the surgeon botched it and made her unable to sing for the last 20 years. And Edwards had desperately wanted to work again, to show he could still dio good work, and he was humiliated by not getting any love from the awards shows (which should not matter to anyone, but did to him because he was an old man and had felt neglected). And then of course there's the whole complex story of their sexualities--a gay man and gay woman, both on their second marriages and with children from their first marriages and with one another, who deeply adored one another. She didn;t do the show because she wanted to do stage work or show off ehr voice; she wanted to do it so her husband had good work.

What's especially sad about it is that Julie would have almost been certain to win the Tony had she not publicly said she didn't want it. She had never won one before, despite her successes with "The Boy Friend," "My Fair Lady" or "Camelot," and her only competition that year was Donna Murphy in "The King and I." but the Tony committee was insulted by her speech, and threw the Tony instead to Murphy.

She said, ONE nomination? I deserve at least three. Call me when you get your act together.

Julie was pissed because Blake didn't get a nomination. She would have hands down won the Tony that year. It was a hit show with audiences in NY and it was viewed as a comeback for Andrews who had largely been away from mainstream audiences for the previous decade.

Carol Burnett who was nominated for Best Actress in a Play publicly supported her and called her a class act.

Would have made old kinky tits an EGOT recepient. They should have nominated and awarded Liza for the 4 weeks she covered from Mary Plopkins.

[quote]The making of this show i always thought would make a good book or movie or miniseries once Julie is dead.

Coming soon from Ryan Murphy: "FEUD: Julie Andrews vs. the Tony Nominating Committee"

I honestly don't think she did it out of her own sense of self-importance--Julie has her faults, but a raging ego is not among them. I think she did it solely as a very public gesture of support towards Edwards.

As they say, it was the wrong hill to die on.

How come guest actresses who take over a role to cover a holiday are ineligible for Tonys? Or actresses taking over a role?

She could have been EGOT if she didn't refuse the award

Are there receipts for Blake Edwards being gay? I really don't see a gay sensibility in his films, not even Victor/Victoria; in his films, homosexuality is often treated as a joke or a lesser form of being. Unless it's self-loathing.

What are some of Julie's faults???

Apparently she thought the previous year's recepient of Best Actress In A Musical had lowered the tone and diminished the integrity of the honor.

[quote] What are some of Julie's faults???

She's so damned tall. Really, it's a miracle she had a film career. In her youth, she was more than 5'9".

It was a very crowded year, coming on the heels of a very sad season (only two Best Actress in a musical nominees). Rent, a well-received King and I and Forum revivals. Bring in Da Noise, Master Class. York and the set were worthy, but there was just too much competition.

Donna Murphy got a second Tony for her aggressive Mrs. Anna, who wore her imperialism like a hoop skirt. Good performance, but it seemed like an embarrassing award when everyone knew Andrews had declined.

The show was pretty bad. Andrews was too old, had obviously dubbing, and ruined her voice for an unappreciated trifle. She should have gone out as a definitive Desiree Armfeldt.

[quote] What are some of Julie's faults???

If she is really gay (as has long been rumored): hypocrisy. Also, uxoriousness (i.e. loving your spouse too much).

Then let's not also forget that she wrote a series of children's books about a dump truck named "Dumpy." So we have to add as well that she clearly seems to have a scat fetish.

[quote] Coming soon from Ryan Murphy: "FEUD: Julie Andrews vs. the Tony Nominating Committee"

Starring Darren Criss as Julie, with Sarah Poulson as Carol Burnett.

She should have cameoed in Mary Poppins Returns. It was a pretty good movie that faithfully upheld the classic Disney style of moviemaking.

[quote] She should have cameoed in Mary Poppins Returns.

That fucking old Angela Lansbury took her part.

Angela should have been Mary Poppins, she's a much better actress

Apparently the Producers of Mary Poppins and PL Travers felt Angie's public image was too sexy to be taken seriously as a prudish, virginal nanny.