Page "Mary Martin" Paragraph 13

She appeared on Broadway in South Pacific, opening on April 7, 1949 as nurse Nellie Forbush.

Her performance was called " memorable ... funny and poignant in turns ", and she earned a Tony Award. Richard Watts, Jr. of the New York Post wrote: " nothing I have ever seen her do prepared me for the loveliness, humor, gift for joyous characterization, and sheer lovableness of her portrayal of Nellie Forbush ....

Hers is a completely irresistible performance.

" She opened in the West End production on November 1, 1951.

Her next major success was in the role of Peter in the Broadway production of Peter Pan in October 1954, with Martin winning the Tony Award.

Martin opened on Broadway in The Sound of Music as Maria on November 16, 1959, and stayed in the show until October 1961.

She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

The musical gave Martin " the chance to display her homespun charm.

" In 1966 she appeared on Broadway in the two-person musical I Do!

I Do!

with Robert Preston and was nominated for the Tony Award ( Leading Actress in a Musical ).

A national tour with Preston began in March 1968 but was cancelled early due to Martin's illness.