Barbara Cook Quotes

A collection of quotes by Barbara Cook.

Barbara Cook (1927-2017) was an American singer and actress who made a significant impact on the world of musical theater. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Cook discovered her love for singing at an early age and started her professional career in the late 1940s.

Cook gained recognition for her wide vocal range and pure, unaffected singing style. Her breakthrough came in 1956 when she starred as Marian the Librarian in the original Broadway production of "The Music Man," which earned her a Tony Award nomination. She went on to create iconic roles in various musicals, including Cunegonde in Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" and Amalia Balash in Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's "She Loves Me."

Despite facing personal challenges and struggles with her mental health, Cook continued to flourish in her career, earning critical acclaim for her performances on the stage. She also released numerous successful albums, showcasing her extraordinary voice and interpreting popular standards in her unique style.

In her later years, Cook transitioned from musical theater to concert performances, where she could directly connect with audiences through her intimate and powerful singing. She became known as a champion of the Great American Songbook, delighting fans with her interpretations of classic tunes. Throughout her career, Barbara Cook's remarkable talent, warmth, and sincerity earned her a devoted following and established her as one of the greatest voices in American musical theater. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 89.