For lifetime achievement? In the theatre?
I know this will be an unpopular opinion, but even though Andrews got her start in the theatre, her worldwide fame and her most remembered career achievements are in film, not theatre.
She has starred in four Broadway shows, 3 of which were between 1954 and 1961. Since her much-ballyhooed return to Broadway in 1996, over 20 years ago, she has not appeared on stage. In the 35 years between CAMELOT and VICTOR/VICTORIA, the prime of her career, she did not once appear on Broadway.
If you asked the average person what Julie Andrews is famous for, the answer would likely be MARY POPPINS or THE SOUND OF MUSIC, neither of which she appeared in on stage.
Sure...she sang Broadway songs on albums and in concert during her career, but so did a lot of people.
I'm just not sure Julie Andrews' career actually merits a Lifetime Achievement Tony. She hasn't spent a lifetime on Broadway or even in the theatre other than Broadway.
Of course, merit means nothing and, I can't imagine that the ATW wouldn't honor her with such a Tony if she'd consent to appear. If nothing else, the career retrospective musical medley would probably be entertaining. |
