Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center, New York Through April 18
The Lincoln Center Theater has long had a sensible tradition of presenting solo shows in its theaters during productions' off nights -- the late Spalding Gray was a mainstay for most of the '90s -- and the practice continues with this concert by the wonderful Barbara Cook. The singer, who triumphed a couple of seasons back with her "Mostly Sondheim" show, is now delivering a stellar evening of Broadway songs, both famous and obscure, that well demonstrates that the years have not dimmed her vocal luster.
Cook, who originated roles in such classic Broadway musicals as "Candide," "The Music Man" and "She Loves Me," is in her mid-70s, but her lyrical soprano voice has miraculously lost little of its sheen. She's still able to conjure up images of an ingenue when she delivers such numbers as "Mister Snow," from "Carousel," and the title song from "She Loves Me."
Add to that her impeccable phrasing and her ability to plumb the emotional depths of a song, and the results are sheer pleasure. Her well-chosen program here ranges from such well-known songs as Berlin's "What'll I Do?" and Sondheim's "In Buddy's Eyes" to less familiar numbers from such shows as "The Happy Time" and "Fiorello," and she brings each one vividly to life. Whether joyously celebrating being in love with a "Wonderful Guy" ("South Pacific") or poignantly mourning its loss in "Time Heals Everything" ("Mack and Mabel"), she conveys emotion with heartbreaking immediacy.
Performing on the "King Lear" set, the singer, well supported by pianist Wally Harper and bassist Richard Sarpola, wittily begins the evening with "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight." In between numbers, she relates brief stories about her lengthy career, including anecdotes involving such figures as Gary Cooper, Elaine Stritch and Leonard Bernstein. And she pays amusing tribute to her own past with a partly live, partly recorded reprise of the daunting "Glitter and Be Gay," her trademark number from "Candide."
Barbara Cook's Broadway! Presented by the Lincoln Center Theater Credits: Musical direction/arrangements: Wally Harper; Stage manager: Mahlon Kruse Cast: Barbara Cook
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