Theater News

Barbara Cook Postpones Upcoming Solo Show

The retrospective of Cook’s theatrical career will make its debut at a later date.

Tony winner Barbara Cook will return to the stage this spring in a new autobiographical solo show.
Tony winner Barbara Cook has postponed her upcoming solo show at New World Stages.
(© David Gordon)

We're going to have to wait a little longer for Tony winner Barbara Cook's return to the stage. Cook's upcoming theatrical retrospective, Barbara Cook: Then and Now, has postponed its springtime run at New World Stages to allow the 88-year-old star more time to prepare.

"Barbara has spent the last several months working very hard to finish her book," according to producer Roy Furman. "Going directly into rehearsal to create this new production was causing undue pressure and stress. Despite strong ticket sales and everyone's best intentions, we all agreed it was best to postpone the production."

Cook added, "I want all of my friends and fans to know that I look forward to singing again for them very soon."

Conceived with James Lapine and directed by Tommy Tune (Grand Hotel), the one-woman show will take audiences through Cook's illustrious work onstage and share stories and songs that highlight her life. Cook's stage roles include Cunegonde in Leonard Bernstein's Candide, Marian in Meredith Willson's The Music Man (for which she won a Tony), Amalia Balash in Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick's She Loves Me, and many others.

Barbara Cook: Then and Now was to feature a Tony Award-winning design team made up of Robin Wagner (sets) and Ken Billington (lighting). Emmy Award winner Lee Musiker serves as musical director. Roy Furman produces in association with Sandy Robertson and Luigi Caiola.