Julie Andrews

She might come from modest English roots, but most of us think of Julie Andrews as true acting royalty. She started singing for her supper when she was just a girl, then went on to create some of the most iconic characters who ever crossed a silver screen, winning generations of fans along the way. There was Mary Poppins, the headstrong nun Maria from The Sound of Music, both title characters in Victor/Victoria, Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries and Shrek’s mother-in-law in Shrek 2 and 3. Andrews lost much of her magical four-octave singing voice during botched throat surgery in the ‘90s, but she continues to perform, direct, write and do charitable work. Oh, yeah, did we mention the Queen of England made Andrews a Dame? See Dame Andrews at the Brilliant Lecture series and learn what it takes to become a legend today at 7 p.m. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby. For information, call 713-315-2400 or visit www.brilliant-lectures.com. $15 to $125.
Mon., Dec. 3, 7 p.m., 2007