Last night I had the fantastic opportunity to go see and hear Julie Andrews in person. I was so excited when I heard she was coming to Louisville because I’ve been a huge fan of hers ever since I saw Mary Poppins many moons ago. I’ve followed her career with great interest and found her voice and her songs to be very healing for me. Among classically-trained musicians, Dame Julie seems to be somewhat controversial. I don’t have any idea what the downside of her career or style might be but I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve always love her!
When she walked onstage last night at the KY Center for the Arts, she was just beautiful and breathtaking! I felt like laughing and crying all at once because it seemed like the dream of a lifetime coming true. She could not have been more gracious or more “real” talking about the surgical mishap that took her fantastic four-octave voice away from her. She actually did sing a little both alone and with her “friends” onstage and although it was beautiful, her range is just gone. She seemed to have barely more than an octave and was constantly dropping down an octave in most every thing she sang. Still, it was a thrill to see her looking so beautiful and vibrant and to hear her speak and act and interact. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
She was stunningly elegant, it was just amazing to see her. I completely enjoyed it. When she sang “My Funny Valentine” it was so beautiful. Very moving and wonderful.
After all these years I still enjoy my original cast recording of “My Fair Lady” I would have loved to see it onstage. Maybe once they perfect time travel.
I was also at the Louisville show, and let me tell you, I cried for an hour after My Funny Valentine. Seeing Julie Andrews back on a stage with a real orchestra behind her and singing again has been my dream come true.
Regarding your comment about Julie’s range, it has grown. LAST summer, she had about two octaves. She was hitting her low notes, in addition to some low alto notes. This summer, she used all of those notes, and even hit a few low soprano notes. They were weak, but they were there.
Actually… her voice got stronger as the show progressed over the country. I went to the closing show in Philadelphia, as well (there went my summer’s worth of babysitting money!), and that was by far the best performance that she gave. The whole performance was just magical.
A group of fans are now advocating to send the Gift of Music concerts to Europe — check out my website and be sure to pass the word along, as well as write on behalf of the show’s continuation!