Do you think a public produced/invested Julie Andrews led A Little Night Music could work

[Theatrefanboy1]

So I’ve been have conversations with friends about how much we would love to see Julie Andrews back one last time on Broadway. The show we have all cited is A Little Night Music. It got us talking if any producer or “broadway” investor would ever organize something like that. Because of course timing is of the essence.
So. I’m wondering what people think if anyone thinks that it would work to have a publicly invested show of A little Night Music with Julie Andrews. Do you think that a media donor page would raise enough interest or money to have it produced (I’m not talking if Julie would be interested. I’m just wondering ifthe back work could be in place). I know back a couple years ago the revival of Godspell was partially publicly funded.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Broadway shows require millions and millions of dollars in capital investments to get off the ground, and a star like Julie would likely command a hefty paycheck. I don't think that this would ever happen.

[newintown]

Agreed - Broadway shows are far too expensive to by funded via Kickstarter.

As for any kind of casting probability - would Julie Andrews agree to play a supporting role like Madame Armfeldt? You couldn't be suggesting that she play Desiree - just imagine the unintentional comedy of an 82(+) year old woman pretending to be the mother of a 16 year old girl. (Ignoring the fact that Dame Julie's stage persona is too rigidly perfect to play a bohemian actress daughter of a courtesan, whose life is described as "untidy" and "incoherent," and that the Dame herself has vowed never to sing in public again.)

[astromiami]

Usually you build the production around a Desiree not a Mme Armfelt. While it would be fun to hear Andrews take a stab at Liaisons, you need to get a star of equal status to play her daughter or  the production will seem very unbalanced.

[AC126748]

The roster of women who've played Mme. Armfeldt is hardly a list of also-rans: Hermione Gingold, Angela Lansbury, Elaine Stritch, Claire Bloom, Margaret Hamilton, Leslie Caron, Sian Phillips and Zoe Caldwell are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Andrews would certainly be in good company.

At her age, and having been away from the stage for so long, there might also be a draw in not having to carry a show.

That said, it seems doubtful she'd want to do any stage work, even a role like Mme. Armfeldt that doesn't require a great singing voice. But if she did decide to return to the stage, I'm sure investors would line up to produce -- no Kickstarter needed.

[GeorgeandDot]

I'm dying to see Cate Blanchett and Julie Andrews do this. I've been hoping Rudin would do it for years.

Also Madame A. is a great part that has been played by many great older actresses. Julie would probably win her much deserved Tony finally.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

I kind of want Rudin to do it so long as he kept Jack O'Brien away, but if he did it, then we'd never see any performances from the production on television.

[Someone in a Tree2]

^ Bart Sher's next project for Lincoln Center! Please yes!

[newintown]

Julie Andrews would probably be the cleanest, sweetest, most bourgeoise retired hooker ever portrayed in the history of theatre.

And - she has vowed never to sing in public again.

[CATSNYrevival]

I agree with the above poster. If Julie decided to return to Broadway in anything there would be producers lining up. There would be no need to crowd fund.

[Shh_413]

I wonder if Julie would have done Mrs. Higgins had they offered it to her. It's a non-singing role after all. But I suppose Sher wouldn't even consider it since it could detract attention from his leading lady. It would have such a satisfying full circle to see Julie Andrews awarded an EGOT in the revival of the show that made her a star.

[Gorlois]

If Julie Andrews wanted to return to Broadway in an acting role, she would have done so by now.

She clearly still has a passion for live theatre. She hosted the PBS documentary series “Broadway: The American Musical.” She has directed 3 musicals for regional theatres in the US and for the Sydney Opera House. Just last year, she sang and performed in a children’s show about the performing arts for Netflix called “Julie’s Greenroom.”

My suspicion is that her voice was left far too damaged after the 1997 surgery to handle 8 performances a week in a Broadway show, even in a role that is mostly spoken and not sung. This would explain why Julie has continued to appear in front of the camera since the surgery, but has made limited appearances on stage.

But if someone wanted to produce a new movie version of “A Little Night Music” with Cate Blanchett as Desiree, I hope they would give Julie a ring. I think she would make a great Madame Armfeldt.