Barbara Cook Has Passed- Page 2

[morosco]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:23pm

There were bells on a hill

But I never heard them ringing

No, I never heard them at all

Till there was Barbara Cook.

Barbara, you truly opened my ears with your gift.  Thank you.

[daredevil]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:31pm

I am in my early 70's; I was fortunate enough to see Ms. Cook in most of her early musical theater work. She was totally natural in the zany roles of Ado Annie and Carrie Pipperidge in City Center revivals of Oklahoma and Carousel (Florence Henderson was Laurie, and Jo Sullivan Julie in the respective productions).  A year later I saw her playing  the somewhat zany and impressionable Amish young woman in Plain and Fancy. About the same time, I was watching a TV production of Babes in Toyland---the ingenue, playing the romantic lead with great conviction, looked familiar to me, but I could not place her. When I read the cast list  at the end of the show, and saw that  the ingenue's name was--Barbara Cook-- I was stunned, I simply  could not believe it. And I think that was what was amazing about her early career, how effortlessly she transitioned from the comedy leads to the leading lady roles. And yes, she was wonderful as Marian Paroo in the original Music Man, her journey, played off  Robert Preston's  remarkable Harold Hill, from her original rejection, to her realization that he was the one for her, was unforgettable. 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:40pm

 

This one hits hard. Please watch.

 

 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:42pm

This is heartbreaking. I'm sure the lights will be dimmed for her. 

 

Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to see her live in a small, intimate cabaret setting in San Francisco. It was supposed to be Elaine Stritch, but Stritch cancelled due to her health, and the venue was able to get Barbara Cook on somewhat short notice. I was a bit disappointed at first because, being the silly youth that I was, I wasn't really aware of Cook's talents. But boy did I wise up. I sat in the front row of tables, and could not stop beaming through the whole show. She needed heavy assistance to get up to the stage, because she was no longer very mobile. She sat down through the whole performance, and left in a wheelchair. But THAT VOICE had not diminished in the slightest. It was still as gorgeous as ever. Plus, she was still sharp as a tack. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that this grand, elegant lady of the Golden Age of musical theatre, actual swore like a sailor! What potty mouth! 

After the show, she sat in her wheelchair behind a table in the lobby, and spent at least an hour chatting with her fans. I was one of the first to speak to her, and she said "you looked like you were enjoying the show!" and I said "I certainly did!" I then spoke with her for a little longer, before I asked her for a photo. She said yes, enthusiastically, and I went behind the table for the photo. Right before the photo was taken I felt her grab my hand and say "hold my hand for the photo!" She insisted on holding the hand of every fan that she took a photo with that night. One girl came in with the score of Candide (she was preparing to play the role), and the two of them spent about 15 minutes meticulously going through the score, Cook giving advice along the way. 

That evening remains a treasured memory. She will be sorely missed. 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:56pm

JBroadway, we were at that performance. I'll never think of "Bye Bye Blackbird" the same way again (and also whenever I waste time on YouTube) 

Always when great talents like her leave us, it's good to be thankful for the time we spent being enthralled by her gifts rather than sad that they all are now memories.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 1:02pm

MarkBearSF said: "JBroadway, we were at that performance. I'll never think of "Bye Bye Blackbird" the same way again (and also whenever I waste time on YouTube) "

 

I regret to say that I actually don't remember anything specific from her set. Just the general sense of watching her perform and hearing her sing. Mainly it's because I wasn't familiar with most of the songs at the time, though I bet I'd know more of them now. Do you remember what else she sang? 

 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 2:19pm

Last night, I was listening to Follies In Concert for maybe the second time ever straight through. I was struck once again by how nuanced and crafted Barbara's performance was - her "In Buddy's Eyes" was probably one of the only interpretations that comes close to Dorothy Collins.

I never got to see Barbara live, if you discount a couple of lines she tossed out at Kelli O'Hara's Carnegie Hall show last October, and I know I've missed out. You can tell how dedicated she is to the art of character just from the Passion segment in Sondheim On Sondheim - she completely throws herself into Fosca for those three songs, and it is simply thrilling.

I woke up this morning, saw the news and simply thought "no". I am completely shattered. I'll pull out her memoir that I've been putting off reading and listen to her Mostly Sondheim concert, but it hasn't hit me yet. Broadway and musical theatre are at a great loss. She was simply a legend.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 2:30pm

Barbara has been the third US trend on Twitter since this was announced. I know she was beloved by many, but I always find it touching seeing so many different people from all over the world react to the loss of one of our Broadway legends. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 2:31pm

Barbara Cook was also an avid opera fan and could often be seen in the Met audiences. 

Personally her Glitter and Be Gay will always be my favorite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF3fwp_VrdQ&spfreload=10&scrlybrkr=5c7e4113

[SweetLips]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 3:03pm

Crying because of beautiful memories.

Oh that voice, once heard, NEVER forgotten.

I thank you for your voice--as a kid I never knew who you were but the sound of your voice always returned me to beautiful places.

Eternally grateful.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 3:04pm

I'm devastated

[After Eight]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 3:27pm

I am so sad today.

 

From The Gay Life:

"Who can wear velvet of blue?

You can wear velvet, or anything you dream of the whole day through.

Daydreams can come true."

 

Barbara Cook, you made my daydreams come true.

Thank you for all the magic moments.

 

 

[David10086]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 3:46pm

Embarrassed to say I've heard her name often, but don't recall ever hearing her music or the pleasure of seeing her on stage. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 4:20pm

just heard this news. absolutely crushed. her voice was so singular in its beauty, there will truly never be another one like her. rest in peace Barbara!

[Finch]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 4:28pm

In August, 1957, I was given a ticket to The Music Man as a gift for my 15th birthday.  It was my first Broadway show, and the start of many years of tickets and shows to come.  I will never forget Barbara Cook in this production.  I followed her career from then till now, with cabarets and 2010's Sondheim on Sondheim!  The final show was my last opportunity to see and hear the lady who, in many ways, was the owner of Broadway.  It was also the last show I was able to see with my late wife. So, Barbara cook is more than just a performer-actress-voice to me.  I am sitting here today, on my 74th birthday, remembering and reminiscing of the many hours of shows and records I was able to share with being able to see and listening to Barbara Cook.   I have to admit, that the only show I regret missing, back in the spring of 1964, was She Loves Me.  I saw another show instead -- but still listened to the original 2 record MGM set over and over again.  I will truly miss THIS Broadway legend!!! 

[Demitri2]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 5:28pm

Beautiful post Finch. Seeing Barbara in THE MUSIC MAN was also my first Broadway show. I fell in love with her that day and followed her career thereafter. Thanks for expressing my similar thoughts so well...:)

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 6:45pm

Just got wind of this news and I am heartbroken! On my commute to work this morning "Glitter and be Gay" from Candide came up on my playlist. I had not heard it in a very long time and it really made my day because she possessed one of the most beautiful singing voices in the world. 

And now she's gone...

RIP dear lady. I hope you knew how many lives you've touched with your God given talent.

Your legend will always shine bright and live on. 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 6:53pm

Thank You Barbara Cook.  For all the joy of your singing. 

[amaklo]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 7:04pm

The only time I saw Barbara Cook in person was her Sondheim show at the Byham Theater in Pittsburgh in 2003.  The place was packed, and the audience loved her. She was glorious. Sad news, but her pain is gone. RIP.

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 7:49pm

Such an amazing voice. I never got to see her live, and I really appreciate getting to hear all the wonderful stories from those of you who were fortunate to have seen her. This is a very sad day. 

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 8:02pm

Here's to you, Barbara Cook.   Here's to you!

No complaints and no regrets
I still believe in chasing dreams and placing bets
And I have learned that all you give is all you get
So give it all you've got

I had my share, I drank my fill
And even though I'm satisfied, I'm hungry still
To see what's down another road, beyond a hill
And do it all again

So here's to life
And every joy it brings
Here's to life
To dreamers and their dreams

Funny how the time just flies
How love can go from warm hellos to sad goodbyes
And leave you with the memories you've memorized
To keep your winters warm

But there's no yes in yesterday
And who knows what tomorrow brings, or takes away
As long as I'm still in the game, I want to play
For laughs, for life, for love

So here's to life
And every joy it brings
Here's to life
To dreamers and their dreams
May all your storms be weathered
And all that's good get better

Here's to life
Here's to love
And here's to you

[Miranda3]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 8:24pm

We have lost a woman of such complexity, who gave us her gift decade after decade as she changed and deepened.  I just watched the Kennedy Center tribute again with tears all the way through, as I did when it was first broadcast.  So many here have offered remembrances and tributes that I am not sure I have anything meaningful to add. But maybe this. I also just watched for the upteenth time Barbara's upbeat concert performance of "It's Not Where You Start" from Seesaw. To my mind, she ennobles that song with a deep resonance and makes me take heart from it in when down in the gritty trenches of life.  I love her for many performances, but maybe most of all for her own gritty determination to rise from the trenches she too fell into.  Like her voice, her life ranged wide and she persisted. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/11/17 at 12:45pm

A wonderful article about her last days in NYTimes. Get some tissues before you read.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/theater/barbara-cook-death.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

[darreyl102]

Posted: 8/11/17 at 1:56pm

Very sad. such an immense talent. Loved her in soo many things, but my favorite will always be 'Thumbelina": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLJr8xBl9Vg

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/11/17 at 3:43pm

Gosh, that times article is so touching. Just beautiful.