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Women Of Theatre - Where Are They Now?

Author ScarletScarlet, March 14th, 2023

From Julie Andrews to Liza Minnelli.

Ever sat there and wondered 'where are they now', and had to get your phone out which ended up in scrolling until the early hours of the morning? It's one of those trivial questions which end up playing on your mind until you solve the mystery. In celebration of Women's History Month, we're finding out where the women who helped new generations discover their love for theater are now. From Julie Andrews to Liza Minnelli, we'll be answering the age old question.


JULIE ANDREWS 

Most of us know Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins (1964), practically perfect in every way. But 10 years prior to Poppins, Julie made her Broadway debut in the musical The Boy Friend and during her one year run was approached to audition for the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. When the casting for the film adaptation of My Fair Lady began, Andrews hoped to reprise her role - unfortunately, at the time - her name was recognized enough, and Audrey Hepburn played the role. Fortunately for us, this meant she could go on to play Mary Poppins which led her to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. All together, Andrews as starred in 39 films, 41 TV shows and six stage productions - four of which were on Broadway and one on the West End. 

Where is Julie Andrews now? 
Julie Andrews voices the narrator of Lady Whistledown in the Netflix series Bridgerton. In 2022, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Film Institute, which saw her reflect on her career - which may have you thinking is Andrews slowing down? Nope! She recently reprised her role in Minions: The Rise of Gru as Gru's Mother. 

PATTI LUPONE

The name which has been a household staple for as long as I can remember. LuPone made her Broadway debut in 1973 as Irina in The Three Sisters. A few years later LuPone starred in the original Broadway production Evita and made her mark on the stage as Eva Peron. Though her Eva Peron may be memorable for us, LuPone stated her time in Evita "was the worst experience of my life". Despite this, LuPone won her first Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. During her time, LuPone has performed in 66 stage productions, 20 films and 42 TV shows. 

Where is Patti LuPone now? 
Following the closing of Company, which saw LuPone win her third Tony Award, LuPone resigned from Actor's Equity Association. She is currently set to star in the surrealist horror film Beau Is Afraid as Beau's Mother. 

BETTE MIDLER

Although most of us know Bette Midler from the screen, she also made a name for herself on the stage. In 1966 she made her Broadway debut in Fiddler on the Roof in the role of Tzeitel. Nearly five decades later she returned to Broadway as the producer of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Her most recent stage venture is 2017's Hello, Dolly! where she starred as Dolly Gallagher Levi, her first leading role in a Broadway musical which saw her receive the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Arguably her most celebrated performance is as Winifred 'Winnie' Sanderson in Hocus Pocus, but for me - it's C.C. Bloom in Beaches "over the shoulder boulder holder!". 

Where is Bette Midler now? 
Midler has become quite the author, writing several books including 'The Wind Beneath My Wings', but most recently has published a children's book The Tale of the Mandarin Duck (2020). In 2021, Midler received the Kennedy Center Honor for a lifetime achievement in performing arts. 

AUDRA MCDONALD

Audra McDonald holds the title of being the only person to win Tony Awards in all four acting categories and to have won six Tony Awards - more than any other actor. She made her Broadway debut in 1992 in The Secret Garden, in the role of Ayah. Since then, she's performed in Carousel, Dream Girls, Twelfth Night and Sweeney Todd. In 2020, McDonald and fellow professionals in the industry joined together to launch Black Theatre United, an organization who combat systemic racism within the theatre community and throughout the nation. 

Where is Audra McDonald now?
McDonald recently starred on Broadway in Ohio State Murders as Suzanne Alexander. The production ran from November 11, 2022 until January 15, 2023. 

LIZA MINNELLI

Daughter of actress Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli has cemented herself among the greats. She began her professional state career at 17 in the off-Broadway production Best Foot Forward. She then went on to perform alongside her mother Judy at the London Palladium. At 19, she won her first Tony Award in the Broadway production Flora the Red Menace. Though the stage shaped Minnelli, she found her feet on the big screen. Her best-known role is in the film version of Cabaret, where she starred as Sally Bowles. Her efforts as Sally Bowles saw her take home the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, along with a BAFTA and Golden Globe. 

Where is Liza Minnelli now?
In the past years she's been keeping a low profile but surprised fans when Minnelli stood alongside Lady Gaga at the 94th Academy Awards where they presented the award for Best Picture (2022). After the event, Minnelli lied low again. 


Of course we would love to shine a light on all the women we grew up with, both on stage and on screen - but the list would be endless. Let us know which face brings nostalgia back into your life and which have you thinking 'where are they now?'.

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