DVDizzy Forum

National Ledger wrote:Julie Andrews Busy with Memorial Plans, Reports Emma Walton Hamilton...

Julie Andrews has been keeping very busy of late with her involvement in planning a March 29 memorial tribute to her husband of 41 years, esteemed filmmaker Blake Edwards.

That's the word from her daughter and co-author, Emma Walton Hamilton, who acknowledges, "Even though he'd been unwell for some time and was 88 years old, it's been a difficult transition for the family that has had an impact these last few months."

Edwards, whose honor is being put on jointly by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild and Writers Guild, died of pneumonia Dec. 15.

It certainly appears that Andrews is continuing to live life to the fullest, even as she deals with her grief.

"She's in terrific shape, and she's always been a person of huge enthusiasm," Hamilton points out.

Andrews and Hamilton have several book deadlines they're working toward. Andrews also plans to direct a play this fall, according to her daughter. And they are to be honored themselves April 4, at New York's Chelsea Piers at the Stars of Stony Brook 2011 Gala, a benefit for Stony Brook Children's Hospital.

Hamilton is glad for the opportunity to help spotlight the good work of the hospital, where her own daughter was born, as well as to talk about her passion, reading for young people.

"Mostly, it's just a lovely honor," says Hamilton, who has co-authored 20 children's books with her mother, as well as the noted "Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment." She is also a faculty member of Stony Brook University and director of its annual Children's Literature Conference, its MFA in Writing and Literature Conference, the Southampton Playwriting Conference and YAWP (the Young American Writers Project), an interdisciplinary writing program for middle and high school students.

Of the latter, she explains, "It's a program about voice, about finding their authentic voice and expressing that creatively, and using creative writing to solve problems. They're actually excited by this. They feel empowered by it. It's the sort of thing where you get to watch kids have these extraordinary breakthroughs."

Cordy_Biddle wrote:Hmmm... So I'm guessing that Julie's role on "Glee" won't happen until sometime during the third season... Everything comes to those to wait, I suppose.

Oh my I just met Chris Colfer 45 minutes ago.

I was leaving my office and as I was walking to the elevator I heard this voice, I said to myself that sounds like Chris from GLEE. Then I looked over and there he was. I kept thinking to myself go over and introduce yourself and I did. I said hi my name is _____ and I was at the Paley Fest last week. I was the gal that asked you about Julie Andrews. He said. "OMG what a small world it is a pleasure to meet you." Then Chris asked "have I seen Julie yet and I said no, in four weeks I will." Then I asked the BIG question, "is Julie going to be on GLEE?" Chris replied "not in Season 2 but Anne Hathaway will be in Season 3, so we'll see."

Chris wrote:UmbrellaFish, thanks for your earlier post alerting us to Julie's appearance on Craig Ferguson tonight. Did you see it? It was excellent!! They are so good together. It's great to see her have so much fun. His wicked humor is so funny and she can always hold her own with him. It was great to hear them talk about Mary Poppins' secret life.