|
|
For the first time ever, Julie Andrews, the face – and voice – of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music will appear on stage in New Zealand in June.
An Evening with Julie Andrews will take the audience on a journey through the life and career of one of the world’s most popular icons.
From her London stage debut at the age of 12 to her defining roles in My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Victor/Victoria and The Princess Diaries, Andrews’ life story will unfold in a frank and funny evening of personal memories and insights spanning six decades.
The event will be hosted by Nicholas Hammond, the American-born Australian actor who played Friedrich von Trapp opposite Andrews in The Sound of Music.
An Evening with Julie Andrews
June 4 – The Edge, Auckland
Tickets on sale from March 11
Julie Andrews book signing at the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse, La Canada. (Photo by Ed Hamilton / Feb 11 2013)
By Jason KUROSU
Famed actress Julie Andrews, known primarily as the star of films such as “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music,” has also been an established children’s author for years, with over 20 books co-authored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton.
Andrews recently published the fourth book of her Very Fairy Princess Series, titled “The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart,” a continuation of the exploits of the title character, Geraldine, who deals with a very timely Valentine’s Day predicament in this latest book. To the delight of local admirers, Andrews appeared in La Cañada to meet with fans and sign copies of the new book.
The Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse sold 200 copies of the book, but many more showed up on Monday night to see Andrews. Lines snaked around the bookshelves, with excited customers bearing stickers numbered one through two hundred.
No. 36, Marian Radcliffe from La Crescenta, mentioned her excitement upon hearing Julie Andrews would make an appearance in town.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard she would be here,” said Radcliffe, who purchased her copy of the book the previous Thursday.
No. 66, Sylvia Kast of La Cañada, another longtime fan of Andrews’, said she didn’t know Andrews wrote books before hearing of the book signing.
“I’m a fan of her movies and her musicals, but I didn’t know she was writing.” Kast also admitted she didn’t know what she would say to Andrews when she met her.
“I think what I want to say to her is I grew up with her and it’s so nice to finally see her in person. It’s really exciting,” she said.
No. 28, Anita Prins of Pasadena, said she found out about the book signing by chance one day while browsing through the bookstore.
“I’m a big fan of her song ‘Eye of Confidence’ from ‘The Sound of Music,’ so I thought it’d be great to meet her.”
The fans met Andrews in groups of 25, after the anticipation and completion of the labyrinthine journey around the bookstore.
A pair of fans, who wished to remain anonymous, were elated to meet Andrews as both longtime admirers and countrywomen.
“In 1964, when we first moved here, was the year she did ‘Mary Poppins.’ We were homesick for England, so it was great that she happened to be here,” said one.
The Englishwomen not only had their books signed, but were able to ask Andrews a burning question regarding her tea of choice. (It’s PG Tips.)
Dame Julie Andrews, known for her roles as Mary Poppins and Maria in “The Sound of Music,” will speak at the Spring 2013 commencement ceremony, Senior Class Council announced in their monthly newsletter Tuesday.
According to the council, Andrews will give graduating seniors “her insights, advice and congratulatory remarks” at the May 10 ceremony.
“She’s a very respected career woman, which is something that CU hasn’t seen in the past,” said Sosi Papazian, president of the Senior Class Council. “She has profound bits of wisdom and witty anecdotes as well. So what she has to say should be a unique bit of advice.”
Andrews is an advocate for education and the arts. She has done charity work as Ambassador for the United Nations for UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, and founded the disaster relief organization Operation USA with her late husband, Blake Edwards.
She won multiple awards from the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Grammys, SAG and BAFTA Awards for her acting and singing career. Andrews was also recognized with a Kennedy Center Honor. In 2001, Queen Elizabeth invested Andrews as Dame Commander of the British Empire.
The council will host Commencement – Prep Night on March 14 for students who want to learn more about Andrews and her achievements. Announcements regarding commencement and other Senior events can also be seen on the Senior Class Council’s website and Facebookpage.
Contact CU Independent News Budget Editor Avalon Jacka at Avalon.jacka@colorado.edu
