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Then & Now: A Memoir
One of the greatest American singers and actresses of her generation looks back on a magical and turbulent life spanning a half century of theatrical history from the golden age of the Broadway musical to the present day.
A legend of the American theater, Barbara Cook burst upon the scene to become Broadway’s leading ingénue in roles such as Cunégonde in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Amalia Balash in Jerry Bock’s She Loves Me, and her career-defining, Tony-winning role as the original Marian the librarian in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. But in the late 1960s, Barbara’s extraordinary talent onstage was threatened by debilitating depression and alcoholism that forced her to step away from the limelight and out of the public life. Emerging from the shadows in the early 1970s, Barbara reinvented herself as the country’s leading concert and cabaret artist, performing the songs of Stephen Sondheim and other masters, while establishing a reputation as one of the greatest and most acclaimed interpreters of the American songbook.
Taking us deep into her life and career, from her childhood in the South to the Great White Way, Then and Now candidly and poignantly describes both her personal difficulties and the legendary triumphs, detailing the extraordinary working relationships she shared with many of the key composers, musicians, actors and performers of the late twentieth century, among them Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Elaine Stritch, and Robert Preston.
Hailed by the Financial Times of London as "the greatest singer in the world", but preferring to think of herself as "a work in progress", Barbara Cook here delivers a powerful, personal tale of pain and triumph, as straight forward, unflinchingly honest, and open hearted as her singing.
A legend of the American theater, Barbara Cook burst upon the scene to become Broadway’s leading ingénue in roles such as Cunégonde in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Amalia Balash in Jerry Bock’s She Loves Me, and her career-defining, Tony-winning role as the original Marian the librarian in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. But in the late 1960s, Barbara’s extraordinary talent onstage was threatened by debilitating depression and alcoholism that forced her to step away from the limelight and out of the public life. Emerging from the shadows in the early 1970s, Barbara reinvented herself as the country’s leading concert and cabaret artist, performing the songs of Stephen Sondheim and other masters, while establishing a reputation as one of the greatest and most acclaimed interpreters of the American songbook.
Taking us deep into her life and career, from her childhood in the South to the Great White Way, Then and Now candidly and poignantly describes both her personal difficulties and the legendary triumphs, detailing the extraordinary working relationships she shared with many of the key composers, musicians, actors and performers of the late twentieth century, among them Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Elaine Stritch, and Robert Preston.
Hailed by the Financial Times of London as "the greatest singer in the world", but preferring to think of herself as "a work in progress", Barbara Cook here delivers a powerful, personal tale of pain and triumph, as straight forward, unflinchingly honest, and open hearted as her singing.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2015
31 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Cook
44 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 30, 2020
Found this one worthwhile for being able to relate to the author's life story, more than her having been a celebrity. I was aware of her name, but not her work specifically, when I picked up the book (recommended by a friend). Might help a bit to have a strong musical theater background as thd only serious quibble.
July 7, 2016
A likeable memoir by a truly great and likeable singer who has led an interesting life.
June 16, 2024
THIS is my milieu! Theater, especially musical theater.
I remember the first time I heard of/from/about Barbara Cook. NPR broadcast a concert form of Stephen Sondheim’s show Follies. I recorded it (the days that a cassette player was part of the stereo system and could record directly from the radio). Cook was one of the featured singers, but, the program also included a song that was written especially for Ms. Cook. The most memorable line of that song had to do with Cook loosing roles she’d performed on Broadway when Shirley Jones was always picked for the film.
Barbara Cook had one of the clearest soprano voices I’ve ever heard. She overcame drinking and weight issues and had a marvelous second act.
I truly enjoyed this look at her life.
I remember the first time I heard of/from/about Barbara Cook. NPR broadcast a concert form of Stephen Sondheim’s show Follies. I recorded it (the days that a cassette player was part of the stereo system and could record directly from the radio). Cook was one of the featured singers, but, the program also included a song that was written especially for Ms. Cook. The most memorable line of that song had to do with Cook loosing roles she’d performed on Broadway when Shirley Jones was always picked for the film.
Barbara Cook had one of the clearest soprano voices I’ve ever heard. She overcame drinking and weight issues and had a marvelous second act.
I truly enjoyed this look at her life.
November 20, 2022
3.5 rounded up
I adore Barbara Cook, so I was predisposed to like this book. I found it helpful that her significant career moments (Candide, The Music Man, She Loves Me, etc.) had their own separate chapters. I appreciate her moments of sincerity and honesty sprinkled throughout the book. But I can't help but think that most of the book was surface-level.
This is going to be pure speculation at this point, but I wonder if Cook's rumored health and memory problems contributed to the cursory nature of her memoir. Before the publication of her memoir in June 2016, Barbara Cook was scheduled to do a limited engagement series of concerts off-Broadway entitled "Barbara Cook: Then and Now." The concert would, unfortunately, be 'postponed indefinitely' (I was SO disappointed because I had tickets to see her). I remember there was so much speculation as to why the concerts were canceled. 'Inside sources' would claim the reason why the cancellation of her concerts became necessary was due to her health (Cook was having mobility issues and was largely confined to a wheelchair) and her memory (allegedly Cook was struggling with dementia).
Barbara Cook would announce her retirement from performing in May 2017; she would die on August 8, 2017.
Allegedly, Then and Now took Cook 5 years to write. If the rumors are accurate, I imagine this is why some parts of the book felt repetitive yet so devoid of detail.
I still enjoyed reading this book despite its flaws. Barbara Cook is likable and earnest, the pages can't help but fly by.
I adore Barbara Cook, so I was predisposed to like this book. I found it helpful that her significant career moments (Candide, The Music Man, She Loves Me, etc.) had their own separate chapters. I appreciate her moments of sincerity and honesty sprinkled throughout the book. But I can't help but think that most of the book was surface-level.
This is going to be pure speculation at this point, but I wonder if Cook's rumored health and memory problems contributed to the cursory nature of her memoir. Before the publication of her memoir in June 2016, Barbara Cook was scheduled to do a limited engagement series of concerts off-Broadway entitled "Barbara Cook: Then and Now." The concert would, unfortunately, be 'postponed indefinitely' (I was SO disappointed because I had tickets to see her). I remember there was so much speculation as to why the concerts were canceled. 'Inside sources' would claim the reason why the cancellation of her concerts became necessary was due to her health (Cook was having mobility issues and was largely confined to a wheelchair) and her memory (allegedly Cook was struggling with dementia).
Barbara Cook would announce her retirement from performing in May 2017; she would die on August 8, 2017.
Allegedly, Then and Now took Cook 5 years to write. If the rumors are accurate, I imagine this is why some parts of the book felt repetitive yet so devoid of detail.
I still enjoyed reading this book despite its flaws. Barbara Cook is likable and earnest, the pages can't help but fly by.
November 28, 2022
Barbara Cook was an incredible singer, a good actress, a fine vocal coach, and a master of cabaret and concerts. Then and Now is her memoir, written when she was eighty-eight years old. So it encompasses most of her long life. The book is invaluable to musical theater enthusiasts, for she goes through her career show by show, telling us of almost every production she performed in. Those are impressive, for she was the original Marian in The Music Man, Cunegonde in Candide, and Amalia in She Loves Me. Furthermore, she worked closely with Rodgers and Hammerstein and was a friend of Stephen Sondheim. As a personal memoir, the book is lacking. Yes, she relates her marriage, her two love affairs, and her longtime professional and friend relationship with her accompanist. She adored her son, and she praises him highly in this book. She also dishes the dirt, somewhat. Her biggest target is Elaine Stritch, whom she seemed to have a love/hate relationship with. But ultimately, her story left me wanting. I didn’t feel connected to her personally. I know from other sources that her colleagues respected and loved her, but I didn’t come away from the book with that love and respect for her. With an sixty-plus years career, she met a lot of famous people. But I felt like she name-dropped a bit too often. I’m glad I read it for its insights into the Broadway shows she performed in, but I wish I felt I knew her better personally.
May 23, 2019
This is Barbara Cook's autobiography journaling her life and Broadway/singing career. I'm sad I never got to see her on stage, but am thankful this (and youtube) exist! Her upbringing was interesting and totally not what I expected (especially how her relationship with her mother and father affected her).
I really appreciated that she dedicated entire chapters to major shows/moments in her life and was open about her struggles with alcoholism. I also enjoyed reading about the people who influenced her both as a person and performer.
However, as a book, I can't give this more than 3 stars. Many parts, while conversational, felt forced and surface level. There were also things repeated throughout the book that probably could have been edited or excluded. Barbara was a legend, but there were lines in this that also felt a little, I don't know...braggy? I mean, I get it. She was a legend of the theater and beyond. But, if I had to compare this to Mary Louise Wilson's memoir (another theater legend whose book I adored), this was nowhere NEAR as engaging.
I'm glad to have read this, but was just hoping for a little bit more.
I really appreciated that she dedicated entire chapters to major shows/moments in her life and was open about her struggles with alcoholism. I also enjoyed reading about the people who influenced her both as a person and performer.
However, as a book, I can't give this more than 3 stars. Many parts, while conversational, felt forced and surface level. There were also things repeated throughout the book that probably could have been edited or excluded. Barbara was a legend, but there were lines in this that also felt a little, I don't know...braggy? I mean, I get it. She was a legend of the theater and beyond. But, if I had to compare this to Mary Louise Wilson's memoir (another theater legend whose book I adored), this was nowhere NEAR as engaging.
I'm glad to have read this, but was just hoping for a little bit more.
August 9, 2018
What a wonderful autobiography! Barbara Cook, who just passed away one year ago, was a Leading Lady of Broadway Musicals. With the voice of an angel and a spunky personality, Barbara shares the highs and very lows of what a life in the theatre can be. And she had quite a life! I was fortunate enough to know her personally, never dreaming I would one day be her opening act when she reached new heights as a concert and cabaret singer. She was funny, hardworking, approachable, and a consummate professional. I had the privilege of working with her shortly after her Carnegie Hall concert, with magician Wally Harper arranging and accompanying her. This bio pulls no punches. It is compelling and unflinching. I highly recommend this book to those aspiring to the theatre, and enjoying a fascinating look at the candid life of the original “Marian, the Librarian” ~ a beautifully and talented lady who well deserved her Kennedy Center Honor.
August 22, 2017
Barbara Cook sang like an angel. Her life on the other hand was not angelic. " Then and Now" details her high highs and very low lows.
A hardscrabble youth, much early success, iconic roles, and then...descent into alcoholism and penury...and then a slow and remarkably successful third act.
Her early success includes portraying Cunegonde in "Candide", Marian the Librarian in "The Music Man", Amelia in "She Loves Me". And then never to head line another Broadway musical.
She is honest about her personal problems, drinking, weight gain, and unemployment.
The tale of her comeback as the premier concert soloist in the last 35 years. Her interpretation of R and H, as well as Sondheim was non paralleled.
I had the good fortune of seeing her in "Sondheim on Sondheim".
Interesting reading...three and a half Jimmys out of five.
A hardscrabble youth, much early success, iconic roles, and then...descent into alcoholism and penury...and then a slow and remarkably successful third act.
Her early success includes portraying Cunegonde in "Candide", Marian the Librarian in "The Music Man", Amelia in "She Loves Me". And then never to head line another Broadway musical.
She is honest about her personal problems, drinking, weight gain, and unemployment.
The tale of her comeback as the premier concert soloist in the last 35 years. Her interpretation of R and H, as well as Sondheim was non paralleled.
I had the good fortune of seeing her in "Sondheim on Sondheim".
Interesting reading...three and a half Jimmys out of five.
August 23, 2019
Barbara Cook was a legend by the end of her life; this autobiography is honest (sometimes painfully so) and entertaining. Her takes on some of the giants in the entertainment world are eye-opening (and occasionally right in line with my perception of these people!) She struggled with addiction and with trying to prove herself and be loved for who she was. No matter how famous or beloved someone in the public eye is, those realities are as destructive as they are for a "nobody." This is a quick read and, in spite of the bumpy road she lived, ultimately uplifting. She outlived pretty much everyone she loved or worked with. But she found a measure of peace and acceptance that had eluded her for so long. To me, that's a life well-lived.
September 8, 2017
I had the very lucky opportunity to see Barbara Cook perform many years ago in San Francisco. I was simply transported by the depth and freedom of her expression. This memoir from about a year ago or so is equally free in the depth and honesty of the story of her life and career. She does not hold back on the tough times and very deep issues but never gets maudlin or for the most part never points fingers about it. I knew of her, and knew some of her work and listened to some of her music. Now, after her passing, and the reading of this book, I wish I had paid much more attention. We have lost a very special creative voice.
May 9, 2019
I was always a huge fan of Ms. Cook's. The one surprise this autobiography held was the fact that my favorite album, As of Today, was a flop. Columbia Records hated it. And here I paid $40 (an enormous sum for a starting out secretary in 1980), came into Manhattan on a Saturday to retrieve the out-of-print album Colony Records refused to hold for me, and realized later the hole in the corner meant it was a demo! But about the autobiography here: there is some redundancy and an editor should have tightened that up. It is a quick read, but not substantive. I wish Ms. Cook had embarked on writing her autobiography while she still had the energy to really "dig deep" as she says.
August 28, 2017
Barbara Cook led quite a life. This book really makes you feel like you knew her. She doesn't sugar coat and doesn't let herself off the hook, either. It made me really appreciate (even more) her regard for her craft. A true original and we were lucky to have her for so long. It's amazing that this book was released in 2016, not long before her passing and she performed even then. This is a link to one of my favorite interviews with her and Wally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzKRf...
September 25, 2017
Backstage memoir from the late, great Barbara Cook, legendary Broadway and cabaret singer. This is easy reading that seems mostly honest though it lacks consistency in chronology and the author, herself, seems to contradict herself at times. She's pretty nice about everyone she worked with and I would have liked a little more "dish", but Cook's remembrances of a Broadway now gone is still very enlightening.
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May 7, 2020Truly an iconic woman. Her unlikely story of finding success as a legit soprano without the ability to read music is so inspiring to me as a young artist. You can tell that her boldness and grit really allowed her to become the icon we remember her as today. I still cry when I think about how I will never be able to hear her sing "Hello, Young Lovers" live, but it's clear from this book that her legacy and impact on the world will continue to live on.
May 5, 2017
I really enjoyed this memoir. Barbara Cook is a force of nature, and has grown as an artist over the course of her long career. I loved the candor and humor in this book. It's refreshingly honest and she names names (Elaine Strich, among others), while being most hard on herself during her years in the throes of alcoholism. She's amazing.
October 5, 2017
I saw Barbara Cook at the Briar Street Theatre in the 80's. I didn't know who she was until reading the playbill, but she was good. I still remember the show. This memoir brought to mind Maureen Stapleton's memoir "A Hell of a Life." Stapleton's memoir had a lot more humor in it. Maureen even appears in Cook's memoir p. 147-149. Even in Cook's book, Stapleton steals the show.
July 10, 2024
I love Barbara Cook's singing but I was late to the game and discovered her in the 90s. I really enjoyed reading about her growing up and her early career along with her overcoming her drinking problem. If you like her music, you will like her memoir. Strongly suggested for Broadway and musical fans.
August 27, 2017
Great Broadway Read.
I really enjoyed this book. The only problem with reading a book about someone who has recently passed away is that you realize the missed opportunities that you had to her talents.
I really enjoyed this book. The only problem with reading a book about someone who has recently passed away is that you realize the missed opportunities that you had to her talents.
January 6, 2018
If you love Barbara Cook-
If you love the artist Barbara Cook, this is an informative and e n lightening look into how she became the wonder she was. I could hear her performing much of the music she discusses. What a woman, what a life.
If you love the artist Barbara Cook, this is an informative and e n lightening look into how she became the wonder she was. I could hear her performing much of the music she discusses. What a woman, what a life.
June 5, 2020
Not the most elegantly written--but it reads so honestly of Barbara's own voice. It has heart and sincerity--and even some good dish along the way. A thoroughly satisfying theatre autobiography from one of the legends in the business.
August 25, 2020
What a remarkable life! From a difficult childhood in Atlanta to Broadway fame,to crash and burn with addiction, then a rebirth as an amazing cabaret and concert singer, she learned to always tell her story in music with a lovely voice but most importantly with feeling.
July 29, 2021
I read this memoir because I love Barbara Cook’s golden voice and inwanted to learn more about her life and career. It’s not great literature, but her ghostwriter competently organized it and put it together, and it delivered what I was after.
August 25, 2017
Enjoyed it
This autobiography by a great singer and Broadway star was an enjoyable read. The world will really miss her talent.
This autobiography by a great singer and Broadway star was an enjoyable read. The world will really miss her talent.
October 5, 2017
Great book and a fabulously singer
July 30, 2018
I am a latecomer to this charming autobiography by one of Broadway's leading ladies and sublime song interpreter. I had never heard about her various hardships before. Very enjoyable!
July 31, 2018
Wonderful, fun story of a musical theatre icon, from the horses mouth. Great fun.
December 26, 2018
Honest, well-written account of her career highs and personal lows.
November 3, 2022
A brutally honest memoir (that's often really bitchy and funny) from the voice of the Great American Songbook. She gives us ten pages of why she will never work with Elaine Stritch again. Dayenu.
November 2, 2016
Truth is that would really give this book a three and a half stars. I love Barbara Cook. I have seen her perform at least 20 times over the years. That said that while the books moves along at a pretty good clip, I've got to say that I didn't really find that much of the author in there. Yes she tells stories, but, unlike her music, I just did not feel like she was present. There were both funny and sad stories, but they went by so fast that it was impossible to really connect with anyone. I just wish that she had spent a bit more time reliving her memories rather than just throwing them out there one after another.
October 11, 2016
An enjoyable read, although a little light-- amazing to cover Ms. Cook's 40+ year career in a book of 200+ pages. I would have enjoyed hearing more about her early musical theater career, especially "Music Man." Her descriptions of "Candide" were quite impressive (not knowing much about the play other than the very popular Overture). She glosses over her alcoholic years to arrive at her "comeback" as a concert performer to close the book. I guess its not necessarily a criticism that I am left wanting more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews