Barbara Cook won a Best Actress Tony Award in the spring of 1958 for one of her most memorable performances, as Marian Paroo in the original Broadway production of The Music Man. Her competition that year was Susan Johnson and Jacqueline McKeever, both for Oh, Captain; Carol Lawrence for West Side Story; and Josephine Premice for Jamaica. Cook’s Broadway career essentially ended in 1971, except for a Broadway concert show in the ’80s. Since then, she has become New York’s leading cabaret singer; in her annual engagement at Café Carlyle, she continues to explore the Broadway repertory.
TM: Everyone talks about how the Tony ceremony was different at the time you won yours for The Music Man.
COOK: Well, first of all, it wasn’t televised.
TM: Was it exciting to win?
COOK: Oh gosh, yes. In those days, there were leaks about who won. I was sitting at the table with…oh God, what the hell’s the name? I can never think of this actress’ name. She was in Look Homeward Angel.
TM: Jo Van Fleet?
COOK: Jo Van Fleet. When I sat down, she said, “Well, we know we’re at the table with one winner.” She said she’d heard that I was going to win. [Note: Jo Van Fleet was nominated that same year, but lost to Helen Hayes, for Time Remembered]. I don’t think she was just being prescient. She made me feel like she had some sort of inside knowledge. I don’t think they do that anymore.
TM: They certainly don’t.
COOK: Well, I was thrilled [to win the Tony]. I don’t even remember what I said. I think, “Thank you, thank you, thank you” a few times.
TM: In the years before The Music Man, did you go to the Tony Awards?
COOK: No, I didn’t. I won’t say it wasn’t a big deal to win–it was. But it wasn’t the big event that it is now, with television. Also, I think I didn’t go because it was expensive. (Laughs) I just didn’t pay the money. Of course–expensive then, expensive now–it’s a whole different thing. During the run of Music Man, my husband and I went to Le Chambord, the top French restaurant at the time. I remember very clearly that the two of us had a complete blowout dinner for $25 each. That gives you some idea of what I mean when I said the Tonys were expensive–it was probably ten dollars a plate! (Laughs).
TM: Did you really hope to win a Tony for any other role?
COOK: Candide. I hoped I would win it that year. I wasn’t even nominated. But, you know, it’s different now. The competition was so much tougher in those days. Seriously! (Laughs) I’m not saying that my Tony means more than somebody’s Tony today. But there was tremendous competition, because there were so many more shows. [The year Cook was in Candide, the best actress nominees were Julie Andrews for My Fair Lady, Judy Holliday for Bells Are Ringing, and Ethel Merman for Happy Hunting. Holliday won.]
TM: Nowadays, they sometimes have trouble filling each category with nominees.
COOK: Well, when you think that Music Man won over West Side Story–come on, that’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?
TM: I’m a very big fan of The Music Man.
COOK: Oh, I am too. I didn’t mean it in that respect. It’s a wonderful show, just wonderful.
TM: Have you seen the current Music Man revival yet?
COOK: I’ve only seen the first act. I went on opening night, but I had to leave to go do my show at the Carlyle. I have to go back.
TM: Did you like the first act?
COOK: It was fun! Oh, my God, it certainly brought a lot of memories back. Did it ever!
TM: It must be strange to see a major revival like that.
COOK: It was very, very odd, I tell you.
TM: Have you seen many Broadway shows this season?
COOK: (Pause) Name one. (Laughs)
TM: Contact.
COOK: I want to see Contact. I just made a list the other day of things I want to see. There are 13 on the list. I want to see The Wild Party. I’m sorry I missed The Dead. I heard it was quite wonderful. I wanted to see Blair [Brown] and of course I wanted to see…oh, Christ, what’s his name?
TM: Christopher Walken.
COOK: Yes. (Laughs) The brain is not doing it this morning! And I haven’t seen Kiss Me, Kate?
COOK: No, but Dame Edna came to see me. He came with his wife and his son. God, he’s a darling man.
TM: He didn’t come as Dame Edna?
COOK: (laughing reproachfully) No…I didn’t realize that he’s a big fan. He’s been to see me many times when I played London. I’ve got to go to his show–my son said, “You’ve never seen anything like it.” What are the new musicals nominated?
TM: The Dead, The Wild Party, Swing—
COOK: And Contact. I haven’t seen any of them!
TM: You have your work cut out for you.
COOK: I know. Ay-yi-yi…
TM: Well, you’ve been busy.
COOK: This year, particularly.