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Barbara Cook

Birth Place: Atlanta, GA, USA

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BIO

Barbara Cook was an American actress and singer. She starred in the original Broadway musicals Plain and Fancy, Candide, and The Music Man among others. She won a Tony Award for The Music Man. She was particularly admired for her vocal agility, wide range, warm sound, and emotive interpretations. Cook was widely recognized as one of the "premier interpreters" of musical theatre songs and standards, in particular the songs of composer Stephen Sondheim.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Production, 2010
Performer


[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005


[Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Broadway], 2004


[West End]
Concert [West End], 2004


[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 2004


[Broadway]
Richard Rodgers 100th Birthday Celebration, 2002
"A Wonderful Guy" Performer

"It Might as Well Be Spring" Performer

"A Wonderful Guy" Performer

"It Might as Well Be Spring" Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Performer


[Broadway]
Concert (Lincoln Center Theater), 2001


[Broadway]
Angela Lansbury Tribute Benefit, 1996


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Margaret White [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1987
Performer


[West End]
Concert [West End], 1986


[Off-Broadway]
New York Concert, 1985
Sally Durant Plummer


[Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Broadway], 1980
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
Concert [Off-Broadway], 1975


[Broadway]
1972
Kleopatra


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1971
Dolly Talbo


[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1971
Performer


[Broadway]
1967
Patsy Newquist


[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1966
Magnolia


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1964
Carol Deems


[Broadway]
1964
Ellen Gordon [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1963
Amalia Balash


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1961
Liesl Brandel


[Off-Broadway]
City Center Revival, 1960
Anna Leonowens


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1957
Marian Paroo


[Broadway]
City Center Revival, 1957
Julie Jordan


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1956
Cunegonde

Scrub Lady

Cunegonde/Scrub Lady

Cunegonde

Cunegonde/Scrub Lady

Scrub Lady

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1955
Hilda Miller




[Broadway]
Unknown, 1954
Carrie Pipperidge


[Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1953
Ado Annie Carnes


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1951
Sandy


[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1972
Performer


Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre

Barbara Cook

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Barbara Coo, Sondheim on Sondheim

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Barbara Cook, Sondheim on Sondheim


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Barbara Cook, Barbara Cook's Broadway


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Special Citation

Barbara Cook

Helen Hayes Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Barbara CookMostly Sondheim


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Barbara Cook, Mostly Sondheim

Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best Actress in a Musical or Entertainment

Barbara CookBarbara Cook Sings Mostly Sondheim

Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best Entertainment

Barbara CookSings Mostly Sondheim


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding One Person Show

Barbara Cook, A Concert for the Theatre

Helen Hayes Awards - 1986 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Touring Production or Prior to New York

Barbara CookBarbara Cook -- A Broadway Evening

Olivier Awards - 1986 - The Observer Award for Outstanding Achievement

Barbara Cook


winner
Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Barbara Cook, The Music Man


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1955 - Performance

Barbara Cook, Plain and Fancy

Videos

News


IT'S ONLY LIFE Comes to Palm Beach Dramaworks
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2025

 It’s Only Life, a revue featuring the sophisticated, deeply felt music and lyrics of John Bucchino, will be performed by six talented teenagers at Palm Beach Dramaworks.
Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe Bring A COUPLE OF SWELLS to the Stephen Joseph Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 27, 2025

A Couple of Swells – the inspired pairing of two unique entertainers – will come to the Stephen Joseph Theatre next month. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!
Interview: Robbie Rozelle of CITATION NEEDED at 54 Below
by Stephen Mosher - May 16, 2025

Comedic cabaret musical storyteller Robbie Rozelle is bringing his yearly one-off to 54 Below and he shared some thoughts on the art form, the importance of attacking fear, and the need for comedy to be front-loaded.
Review: SIERRA BOGGESS Heals Through Art at 54 Below
by Stephen Mosher - May 14, 2025

She's charming, she's lovely, she's down-to-earth, and she's even a little bit naughty. 54 Below welcomes back Sierra Boggess.
Brian De Lorenzo to Release TOAST OF THE TOWN, VOL. 1
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 12, 2025

Cabaret Classics will release Toast of the Town, Volume 1, the new big band album from Boston-based vocalist Brian De Lorenzo, on CD and streaming and digital platforms in June. Learn more about the album here!
Library of Congress to Host Conference on Women in Musical Theater with Shaina Taub, Jeanine Tesori, & More
by Josh Sharpe - May 1, 2025

The Library of Congress will host “StageStruck! VI: Women and the American Musical,” a free three-day conference May 14-16 featuring Jeanine Tesori, Shaina Taub, Helen Park, Julie Taymor, Camille A. Brown, and Marjuan Canady.
Review: Donna McKechnie Illuminates The Essence of Stephen Sondheim at 54 Below
by Stephen Sorokoff - Apr 25, 2025

Donna McKechnie's TAKE ME TO THE WORLD – THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM continues 4/26 at 54 Below. When it comes to interpreting Sondheim, the Chorus Line star is in a league of her own.
Joshua Bergasse and Matt Lenz Join THE MUSIC MAN Tour Creative Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 8, 2025

The creative team has been revealed for the national tour of The Music Man. See who is involved in the production, and learn if the tour is coming to a city near you!
Review: Julie Benko's A STAR IS BORN at Café Carlyle Is Bright With Love & Jazz
by Rebecca Kaplan - Apr 3, 2025

The Funny Girl star plays nightly through 4/5, honoring her newborn daughter with stories of motherhood and clever jazz spins on classics. Joined by her husband on piano and a killer band, it's a night of tender love and showstopping music
Jim Caruso To Release 'The Swing Set: Deluxe Edition' Feat. Jane Monheit and Billy Stritch
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 26, 2025

Jim Caruso’s The Swing Set: Deluxe Edition, the urbane baritone’s smart and sophisticated romp through the Great American Songbook, will be released on streaming and digital formats on Friday, April 18. 
Review: BBC MUSICALS NIGHT, BBC Four and iPlayer
by Gary Naylor - Mar 24, 2025

Some diamonds in the rough, but why can't we choose for ourselves from the BBC archive?
Cynthia Erivo, Sutton Foster, & More Set for The Ravinia Festival's 2025 Summer Lineup
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 13, 2025

The Ravinia Festival has unveiled its 2025 summer lineup, which features more than 100 concerts and 40 artist debuts. Highlights include appearances by Cynthia Erivo, Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara. Check out the full lineup!
Review: ASHLEY BROWN Shocks With Surprise Solo Show at The Green Room 42
by Stephen Mosher - Mar 8, 2025

Broadway's original Mary Poppins makes a rare cabaret performance and hits it out of the park. Catch her perfect in every way second night on March 8th at 7 pm.
Review: PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES at Strathmore
by Mary Lincer - Feb 7, 2025

In the late 1960s (in her late 60s), cabaret étoile Mabel Mercer added the utterly goofy 'Wait 'til We're 65' (by Lerner & Lane) to her sets; when she was well past 50, Barbara Cook began including Harper & Zippel's wildly funny 'The Ingenue' to her shows, simultaneously sending up her rivals and ageism.
Breaking Down the Different Stephen Sondheim Revues
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 2, 2025

This time, the reader question was: Other than Old Friends, what are the other Sondheim revues and what makes them different? This marks the theatre world’s fifth major Sondheim revue and the first since the theatre legend passed away in 2021. 
Review: Klea Blackhurst Triumphs Again at Birdland
by Rob Lester - Feb 1, 2025

That bundle of Broadway-centric bubbliness, Klea Blackhurst banished the winter blues at Birdland. Her thrillingly big voice and selection of joyful showtunes provided a firecracker evening of entertainment on 1/27.
Review: Hannah Jane's LADY LEGENDS OF BROADWAY Is a Fantastic Showcase at Green Room 42
by Analisa Bell - Jan 12, 2025

Hannah Jane shines in 'Lady Legends of Broadway' at Green Room 42. She had the audience captivated from the moment she stepped on stage. With her talent, charisma, and deep understanding of Broadway’s rich history, she’s certainly one to watch.
19 Theater Books for Your Winter 2025 Reading List
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 11, 2025

From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theater history; check out our collection of 19 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's winter reading list.
What's Coming Up At Birdland, December 30th - January 12th
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 28, 2024

Check out what's coming up at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater, December 30th - January 12th.
Video: Broadway at the Kennedy Center Honors
by Sidney Paterra - Dec 22, 2024

The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors are coming up and we are celebrating the special occasion with some of our favorite videos of past Broadway performances. Check out the full list!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Barbara Cook been in?

Barbara Cook has appeared on Broadway in 24 shows.

How many West End shows has Barbara Cook been in?

Barbara Cook has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Barbara Cook's first West End show?

Barbara Cook's first West End show was Barbara Cook: Wait ‘Til You See Her which opened in 1986

What awards has Barbara Cook been nominated for?

Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Sondheim on Sondheim, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sondheim on Sondheim, Outstanding Solo Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Barbara Cook's Broadway, Special Citation (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for , Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Mostly Sondheim, Outstanding Solo Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Mostly Sondheim, Best Actress in a Musical or Entertainment (Olivier Awards) for Barbara Cook Sings Mostly Sondheim, Best Entertainment (Olivier Awards) for Sings Mostly Sondheim, Outstanding One Person Show (Drama Desk Awards) for A Concert for the Theatre, Outstanding Lead Actress, Touring Production or Prior to New York (Helen Hayes Awards) for Barbara Cook -- A Broadway Evening , The Observer Award for Outstanding Achievement (Olivier Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Music Man and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Plain and Fancy.

What awards has Barbara Cook won?

Barbara Cook has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre from the Drama League Awards. She earned Outstanding Solo Performance from the Drama Desk Awards for both Barbara Cook's Broadway and Mostly Sondheim. Additionally, she was honored with a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. She also won Outstanding One Person Show at the Drama Desk Awards for A Concert for the Theatre. Her performance in The Music Man earned her the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical. Furthermore, she received a Theatre World Award for her performance in Plain and Fancy.

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