Did Barbara Cook see recent production oh SHE LOVES ME

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 1:08am

I did a search here and nothing came up. Just curious if anyone knows if Barbara saw the Roundabout revival...?

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 1:19am

Yes she did! Laura Benanti took a picture with her, and if I remember she loved the show.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 1:19am

Despite a highly misleading news story on either Playbill or BWW all reports indicate that she did not unfortunately

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 7:33am

I believe the picture of them together was from a benefit (in honor of?) Cook, that Benanti performed at. Or something of that nature. 

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 7:39am

Oh how silly of me! Pardon my mistake, I wish she had seen it though

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 9:52am

I checked with a friend who was in the recent revival.  He told me Barbara Cook never came to the show.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 10:25am

someone ought to ask her if she has seen the livestream..

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:01am

The photo of Benanti and Cook was taken at the Roundabout Spring Gala, which was held at the end of February, before ''She Loves Me'' began previews in mid-March. I imagine Cook had an open invitation to see the show anytime she wanted, and she was in New York during its run, so I can only conclude that Cook chose not to see the latest revival. Not necessarily as a knock at the newest cast, but maybe she preferred to preserve her memories of the original company. Or maybe there's another personal reason. Who knows? I don't remember if she saw the 1993 ''She Loves Me'' revival either. At any rate, it's Cook's prerogative.

Speaking of that 1993 revival, Scott Ellis, who directed both versions, invited its cast members to the opening of the 2016 production, and that was classy. Among those who showed up were Howard McGillin, Sally Mayes, Lee Wilkof & Jonathan Freeman. No signs of Boyd Gaines, Judy Kuhn or Diane Fratantoni. Maybe they had other plans, were out of town or just weren't interested.

Updated On: 9/4/16 at 11:01 AM

[The Other One]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:08am

Best not to put her (or anyone) on the spot.

[east side story]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:11am

She said in a recent interview that she hasn't been to the theatre in ages due to her being in a wheelchair. The interviewer said that was silly, and Barbara responded that she's simply not comfortable being seen in public confined to a chair. 

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:13am

east side story said: "She said in a recent interview that she hasn't been to the theatre in ages due to her being in a wheelchair. The interviewer said that was silly, and Barbara responded that she's simply not comfortable being seen in public confined to a chair. 

 

I remember that interview. She mentioned her desire to see the revival, spoke very highly of Benanti, but said that her self-consciousness about being seen in the wheelchair was holding her back. 

 

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:32am

east side story said: "She said in a recent interview that she hasn't been to the theatre in ages due to her being in a wheelchair. The interviewer said that was silly, and Barbara responded that she's simply not comfortable being seen in public confined to a chair. 

 

"

WOW. talk about no tact. i'm surprised Barbara didn't slap him/ her in the face.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:50am

I'll try to find out if she saw the live stream or not. I'd be interested to know, as well. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 12:02pm

someone get her a copy of that livestream! that's sad that she didn't see the show.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 12:03pm

There's nothing silly about not wanting to be seen in a wheelchair (we all have our pride), but for the record, Cook did the Roundabout Spring Gala while she was in a wheelchair, and had to be wheeled onstage. ... At least the BroadwayHD version gives Cook the option of watching ''She Loves Me'' at home ...

 

Updated On: 9/4/16 at 12:03 PM

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 2:32pm

Judy Kuhn did an interview years ago where she said on opening night of her revival of "She Loves Me: Barbara Cook sent her a tiny glass perfume bottle she kept from the set of the original production.  She gushed about about how sweet and touching it was and how she hoped the show was revived again so she could pass it along to the next Amalia. I've spent the past few months wondering if she did.

[nsguy45]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 6:34pm

I don't understand her explanation of feeling selfconscious about being seen in a wheelchair in public since she has been performing from one in concert for well over a year, plus she's been attending book signings, public interviews and also made an appearance at 54 Below, all while in a chair.

Updated On: 9/4/16 at 06:34 PM

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 7:48pm

Nsguy45, I don't quite understand Cook's reasoning either. I also think the Roundabout would've been thrilled to accommodate her and set aside space for her at Studio 54, where she could've been wheeled in, once the lights went down. But again, it's Cook's prerogative not to see the show, and she doesn't owe anyone an explanation, however, I hope she's happy that her show lives on.

Updated On: 9/4/16 at 07:48 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 10:32pm

Thanks for all the replies.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 11:15pm

For those curious, here's the aforementioned interview. Also, for the record, the interviewer (Andrew Gans, who's usually pretty good) never says it's "silly". Those are Cook's own words. 

http://www.playbill.com/article/diva-talk-a-candid-conversation-with-barbara-cook

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 9/5/16 at 3:17am

Sooooo was the plan for her to do that one woman show in a wheelchair for 12 weeks....