Julie Andrews sounds as if she would be a pretty decent boss.

But the legendary actress admitted this week that she was forced to adjust her attitude upon becoming a director.

"Being the place where the buck stops is the toughest part," said Andrews, who currently is directing The Boy Friend at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The show opened in previews last week.

"As a performer, I'm part of the team," Andrews added. "And now, suddenly, I'm the one who makes the final decision.

"Having said that, I want to stress that theatre and film are collaborative efforts. But ultimately, when somebody says, 'What do we do about such-and-such?' you have to sit down and make a choice. It hasn't come down to that very often -- thank God."

The 70-year-old Andrews has set many standards of excellence in the entertainment world through the years, perhaps most notably with her movie roles in The Sound Of Music, Mary Poppins and Victor/Victoria. But way back in 1954, when The Boy Friend made its Broadway debut, the star was a 19-year-old ingenue who coincidentally was making her own Broadway debut. Her name? Julie Andrews.

The Boy Friend is a spoof of 1920s musical comedies and includes the songs Won't You Charleston With Me? and It's Never Too Late To Fall In Love.

Obviously, Andrews knows The Boy Friend backwards and forwards. Of course, that could be a detriment if it were handled in an inappropriate way. Actors-turned-directors sometimes fight the urge to bellow, "I could do that when I was playing the part -- so why can't you?"

"I may have inadvertently behaved like that -- I hope not," Andrews said. "But I've been very lucky in that I've been around a long, long time and worked with so many extraordinary directors.

"There is a way to draw something out of your actors and see what they have to offer. And then to help them in the kindest possible way, because most people on stage are somewhat insecure, at the beginning particularly."

Andrews says she loves directing, although she paused when asked if it's something she wants to do on a regular basis.

"I'm not sure," she said. "I'll let you know. It's sort of, 'To be continued.'

"I do have certain instincts or beliefs about musical theatre, wanting to see it promoted and loving it when it works. That part I am sure about. But it has been an incredible time commitment, so thank goodness I've loved it so much."

Andrews said the people she is working with have made it easy. This company of The Boy Friend began its current run last July in Connecticut.

"I guess I looked for what these performers were bringing to it themselves and shaped it with what I hoped would help the piece," Andrews said. "And I am so in love with this company. They have become like family and I adore them. They are young, vital, professional and they sing and dance brilliantly.

"I am stunned by their talent."

Coming from Julie Andrews, that's saying something.

THE BOY FRIEND

Runs until Feb. 18

Royal Alexandra Theatre

ticketking.com