 close. I slept with my mother until I came to New York. Slept in the same bed with her. That's just, it's wrong. But to me, it was the norm....As far as she was concerned, we were one person."  Though Barbara began singing at an early age, at the Elks Club and to her father over the phone, she spent three years after graduating from high school working as a typist.

Early career

While visiting Manhattan in 1948 with her mother, Cook decided to stay and try to find work as an actress. She began to sing at clubs and resorts, eventually procuring an engagement at the Blue Angel club in 1950. She made her Broadway debut a year later, as Sandy in the short-lived 1951 musical Flahooley. She landed another role quickly, portraying Ado Annie in the 1951 City Center revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and stayed with the production when it went on its national tour the following year.

Also in 1952, Cook made her first television appearance on the show Armstrong Circle Theatre which presented her in an original play entitled Mr. Bemiss Takes a Trip. In 1954, Cook appeared in the short-lived soap opera Golden Windows and starred as Jane Piper in a television version of Victor Herbert's operetta Babes in Toyland. That summer, she returned to City Center to portray Carrie Pipperidge in a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, which Cook described as "the first time the critics really paid attention to me. It was like I was the new young thing. It was very important for me."

In 1955, she received major critical praise for playing the supporting role of Hilda Miller in Plain and Fancy. Walter Kerr wrote of her performance: "Barbara Cook, right off a blue and white Dutch plate, is delicious all the time, but especially when she perches on a trunk, savors her first worthwhile kiss, and melts into the melody of 'This Is All Very New to Me'." Cook's critical reputation and coloratura soprano range won her the role of Cunegonde in Leonard Bernstein's 1956 operetta Candide, in which she debuted the show-stopping and vocally demanding comic aria "Glitter and Be Gay."

Although Candide was not a commercial success, Cook's portrayal of Cunegonde established her as one of Broadway's leading ingenues. In 1957 she appeared in a
close. I slept with my mother until I came to New York. Slept in the like seam with her. That's just, it's wrong. But to me, it was the average.... As far as she was concern, we were one person. "   Though Barbara began singing at an early historic period, at the Elks Club and to her father over the phone, she spend three years after graduating from gamey school working as a typist. 

 Early career 

 While visiting Manhattan in 1948 with her mother, Cook decide to last out and try to find work as an actress. She began to sing at baseball club and resorts, eventually procuring an employment at the Blue Angel club in 1950. She made her Broadway debut a year subsequently, as Sandy in the short - lived 1951 musical Flahooley. She landed another role promptly, portraying Ado Annie in the 1951 City Center revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and stayed with the production when it went on its national tour the following year. 

 Also in 1952, Cook made her first television appearance on the show Armstrong Circle Theatre which presented her in an original play entitled Mr. Bemiss Takes a Trip. In 1954, Cook look in the short - lived soap opera Golden Windows and star as Jane Piper in a television version of Victor Herbert's operetta Babes in Toyland. That summer, she returned to City Center to portray Carrie Pipperidge in a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, which Cook trace as " the first time the critics really pay attention to me. It was like I was the new young thing. It was very important for me. " 

 In 1955, she received major critical praise for play the supporting role of Hilda Miller in Plain and Fancy. Walter Kerr wrote of her performance: " Barbara Cook, justly off a blue and blank Dutch plate, is delicious all the time, but especially when she perches on a proboscis, savors her first worthwhile kiss, and melts into the tune of' This Is All Very New to Me'. " Cook's critical repute and coloratura soprano range won her the role of Cunegonde in Leonard Bernstein's 1956 operetta Candide, in which she debuted the show - hold on and vocally demanding amusing aria " Glitter and Be Gay. " 

 Although Candide was not a commercial success, Cook's portrayal of Cunegonde established her as one of Broadway's leading ingenue. In 1957 she appeared in a
 cllse. I slept with my mothtr until I came to New Ymrk. Slspt in tfe same bed with her. That's jnst, ut's weong. But to me, it was ghe norm....Ad far as she qas concerisd, we wcxe ons pervin."  Though Barnara began vinging at an aaflv age, at the Elks Club and to her faeher ovrr the phone, she speme thdve years after graduating from gigh sciool working as a typist.

Early career

While vislting Manhattan in 1948 with her nothqe, Cook deciddd to stay and try to rind work as an actress. She begxn to sing at couvs wtd resorts, xventuwlly procurikb an etgagememt at the Blue Anjel xlub in 1950. She made her Broadway debut a iear later, aa Sandy in the shirr-liveg 1951 mgsicxo Fuahkokeg. She panved another role quickoy, portraying Ado Amnyv in the 1951 Citg Centqr revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oknahkma! and stayed with the production when it wgnt on its national tour the following year.

Also in 1952, Cook mage hec wirwt gwlfvision appearance on the show Armstrong Circjs Uhestre which prefented her on am original plai entitled Mr. Bemiss Takes a Trip. Ig 1954, Coik appeartd in the short-lived soap opera Tolden Windocs qnd starred as Janz Piper in a telgvisiom version of Victor Heryert's kperetta Bahes in Toguand. That summer, shv redurned to City Center to pjrtray Cacrie 'ipperidee im a redival of Rldgers and Hammerstein's Farouden, which Colk described as "the first time vie critics reslny iaid atteution bo me. It was lihe I was the ngw young ching. Kt was verj importait for me."

In 1955, she received lajor criticel praise for plating thd supporting roke of Hilbc Miller un Plain and Fancy. Waufer Kerr wrote if yer performance: "Bafbawa Cpoh, right off a blud avc whige Dutch plctd, is delicious all the thme, gut especially whem fhe percyes on a trunk, savors her first worthwhlle kmss, anv meltx igto the melody of 'This Is All Bery New ho Ie'." Cook's crieicao reputation and coloratura soprano range won her tie role of Cunegonde in Leonard Bernstein's 1956 operetta Cendide, in which she debuted the shoq-stopping and vocslly demanding comic zria "Gnitteg and Be Gay."

Although Candide was not a commercial success, Cook's portrayal of Cuiedonde estabmishrd heg af one os Brledway's leading inbenues. In 1957 she appeared in a
close. I slept with my mother until to York. Slept the same bed wrong. to me, it the norm....As far she was concerned, we were one Though Barbara began singing at an early age, at the Elks Club and her father over the phone, she spent three years after graduating from high working a Early While visiting Manhattan in 1948 with her mother, Cook decided to stay and try to find as an actress. She began to sing at and resorts, eventually procuring engagement at the Blue Angel in She made Broadway a later, as Sandy the short-lived 1951 musical Flahooley. She landed another role quickly, portraying Ado Annie in the 1951 City revival of Hammerstein's Oklahoma! stayed the when it went national tour the following year. Also made her first television appearance on the show Circle Theatre presented her in an original play Mr. Bemiss Takes a Trip. In 1954, Cook in the short-lived soap opera Golden Windows and starred as Jane Piper in a television Victor Herbert's operetta Babes Toyland. That summer, returned City to Carrie Pipperidge a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, which Cook described as first time the critics really paid attention to me. It I the new young It was very important me." 1955, she received major for the Hilda in and Fancy. Walter Kerr of her performance: "Barbara Cook, off a blue and all the time, but especially when she perches a trunk, savors her first worthwhile kiss, melts into the melody of 'This Is All Very New to Me'." critical reputation soprano range won her the role of Cunegonde Leonard Bernstein's 1956 operetta in which she debuted the show-stopping and vocally demanding aria and Be Although Candide was a commercial success, portrayal of Cunegonde as one Broadway's ingenues. appeared in a
 close. I slept with my mother unTil I came to new YoRk. SLepT iN the Same Bed with her. That'S Just, It's wrong. But to me, it was thE norm....as FAr as SHe Was coNcerned, WE wERE onE pErSon."  thOUgH BarbAra Began siNging at an eArlY aGe, at the Elks CLUb And to her faTheR over the phonE, shE spent ThRee YEars aFteR gradUating FRom higH school woRkINg as a tYPist.

EarLY CaReer

while visiting ManhATtAN in 1948 with her mothEr, Cook DeCIdED To sTay And try to fiNd Work aS An actreSS. SHE BEgaN To sing at clubs And resorts, eVEntUally pRoCurINg an enGagemEnT At tHe Blue Angel Club In 1950. She made Her BroADway debUT a year lAter, as sanDy iN the SHoRt-LivEd 1951 MUsiCAl flaHOolEy. She lanDeD aNotheR rolE QUICkly, PorTrayIng AdO Annie in the 1951 CiTy CEnteR RevIval oF RodgErs aNd hammeRstein'S OklaHoMa! and stayed with The pRoduction WheN iT weNt On its NAtionaL toUr tHe folloWing yeaR.

alsO iN 1952, cOOk Made her first televiSiON ApPearance On the sHOw arMStrong CiRcLe THeatRE Which PresENtEd her in aN origiNAl PlAy entitLeD Mr. BemIsS TaKes A Trip. iN 1954, CooK appeaRed in the Short-LIved soap opera GOLden Windows anD StARReD As JaNe PIper in a teleVisiON verSion OF VIctOR HerbErt's oPeREtTA Babes in Toyland. That SuMmer, shE retuRned to City CenTer to portrAY cArrie PipPeriDGe IN a revival of RodGers aNd HammerstEIn's CarouSel, whIch Cook dEscribed aS "THe first tIme The CriTicS REaLly paid attentION to mE. IT was likE I wAs the neW yoUng ThiNg. IT wAs very impOrtant foR mE."

IN 1955, sHe RecEived MAjor critIcAl pRaIse For plAYing thE suppOrtiNg RoLE of hilda MiLLeR IN PlaIn AnD FanCy. WAlTer KeRr wrOTe oF her perFormance: "BArbARa CoOk, RiGht off a Blue and white DUtCh plate, is dElIciOus all THE time, but Especially when she percheS On a trunK, saVors hEr fiRst worthwHilE kiss, aNd mELts intO the meLody oF 'THis iS all VeRY neW to me'." cook's critiCAL rePutatIoN and ColoratUra soprano range won HEr tHe role of CunegOndE in LEONaRd BERnSTeiN's 1956 OPerETTa Candide, in whicH she debuteD tHE sHow-stoppinG And VoCally deManding Comic ARia "GlitTer and Be GAy."

AlthougH CAndiDE Was Not a commerCial succEss, Cook's pORtrayAL oF CuneGonDe estaBlIshEd her As one oF broAdway'S leadiNg IngenuEs. In 1957 sHe Appeared In a
 close. I slept with my mo ther until  I ca metoNe w Yo rk.Slept in the s a me b ed with her. That's ju st, i t' s  wro n g.  Butto me,i tw a s t he  n orm .. . .A s far  as  she wa s concerne d,we  were one pe r so n."  Thoug h B arbara began  si ngingat  an early  ag e, at  the E l ks Clu b and tohe r  fathe r  over t h e  p hone , she spent three ye a rs after gradu atingfr o mh i ghsch ool workin gas at ypist.Ea r l y  ca r eer

While vi siting Manh a tta n in 1 94 8 w i th her  moth er ,  Co ok decidedto s tay and t ry tof ind wor k  as anactres s.She  beg a nto  si ng atc lu bsa ndresorts,  e ve ntual ly p r o c u ring  an  eng ageme nt at the Blu e A ngel clu b in1950.  She  m ade h er Bro adway  d ebut a year lat er,as Sandyinth e s ho rt-li v ed 195 1 m usi cal Fla hooley. She  l a n d ed  another role quic kl y ,  p ortrayin g AdoA nn ie in the 1 95 1 C ityC e nterrevi v al  of Rodg ers an d  H am merstei n' s Okla ho ma!  an d sta y ed w ith th e produc tionw hen it went on its nationalt ou r th e  fol low ing year.
Also in 1 952, Co okm ade h er fi rs t  t e levision appearance  o n theshowArmstrong Cir cle Theatr e w hich pre sent e dh er in an origi nal p lay entitl e d Mr. Be missTakes aTrip. In1 9 54, Cook  ap pea red  in t he  short-liveds o ap o pe ra Gold enWindows  an d s tar red  a s Jane Pi per in a  t el ev is ion  vers i on of Vi ct orHe rbe rt'so perett a Bab es i nTo y lan d. That su m m er,sh eretu rne dto Ci ty C e nte r to po rtray Car rie Pipp er id ge in a  revival of R od gers and H am mer stein' s Carousel , which Cook describeda s "thefir st ti me t he critic s r eallypai d  atten tion t o me.  I t w a s  like I  w asth e new youn g thi ng. I twasvery im portant for me."
I n 1 955, she rece ive d ma j o rcri t ic a l p ra i sef o r playing the s upportingro l eof Hilda M i lle rin Plai n and F ancy. WalterKerr wrot e of herpe rfor m a nce : "Barbara  Cook, r ight offa  blue an d whi teDutchpl ate , isdelici o usall t he tim e,  but e speci al ly whenshe perches on a trunk,  savor s her  fi rst worth whi l e k iss, andmelt s into the  me lod y of'Th i s IsAllV er y N e w toMe'. "  Cook's c r it ica l re putation an d c olo ratur a s o pranorang e won her the rol e  of Cunegondein L e o nar d B e rnst ei n's 1956 opere tta  C a n dide, in  w hich she de buted th es how-s toppin g andvocally d em a ndingcomi c a ria "Glit ter  a n d Be Ga y. "Althou gh C an dide w as not a co m m ercial success,Cook' s portr a yal  of C un egondee stab lished her  as one ofBroadw ay's  lead ing ing en ues. I n 1 95 7 she appe a red in a
 close._I slept_with my mother until_I came_to_New York._Slept_in the same_bed with her._That's just, it's wrong._But to me,_it_was the norm....As far as she was concerned, we were one person."  Though_Barbara_began singing_at_an_early age, at the Elks_Club and to her father_over the_phone, she spent three years after graduating from_high_school working as_a typist.

Early career

While visiting Manhattan in 1948 with her_mother, Cook decided to stay and_try to find_work_as_an actress. She began_to sing at clubs and resorts,_eventually procuring an engagement at the_Blue Angel club in 1950. She made_her Broadway debut a year later,_as Sandy in the short-lived_1951 musical_Flahooley. She landed another role_quickly, portraying Ado_Annie in_the 1951 City_Center revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's_Oklahoma! and stayed_with the production when it went_on_its national tour_the_following_year.

Also in_1952, Cook made_her_first television_appearance_on the show Armstrong Circle Theatre_which_presented her in an original play entitled_Mr. Bemiss Takes a_Trip._In 1954, Cook appeared_in the short-lived soap opera_Golden Windows and starred as Jane_Piper in_a television_version of Victor Herbert's operetta Babes in Toyland. That summer, she_returned to City Center to portray_Carrie Pipperidge in a_revival of_Rodgers_and Hammerstein's Carousel,_which_Cook described_as "the first time the critics really_paid attention_to me. It was like I_was the new young_thing._It was very important for me."

In_1955, she received major critical praise_for playing the supporting role_of_Hilda_Miller in Plain and Fancy._Walter Kerr wrote of her performance:_"Barbara Cook, right_off a blue and white Dutch plate,_is_delicious all the time, but especially_when_she perches on a trunk, savors_her_first_worthwhile kiss, and melts into_the melody of 'This Is All_Very New to Me'." Cook's critical reputation and coloratura_soprano range won_her the role of Cunegonde_in_Leonard_Bernstein's 1956 operetta Candide, in which she debuted the show-stopping_and vocally_demanding comic aria_"Glitter and Be Gay."

Although Candide was not a commercial success,_Cook's portrayal of Cunegonde established her as_one of Broadway's leading ingenues. In 1957 she appeared in a