BWW Reviews: An American Musical Theatre Treasure, Barbara Cook Mesmerizes at The McCallum

It is probably not the best form for a writer to begin a composition with "There are No Words To Describe" ... but that is the first thing that came to mind after spending a glorious evening in the theatre with a true American Musical Theatre treasure, Barbara Cook, last Thursday at The McCallum. In actuality, there are words. Marvelous. Magnificent. Mesmerizing. And, many more. It was one of those - "Pinch me -- I'm so lucky to be here tonight" sort of evenings and one I will not soon forget. Ms. Cook, at 85, was suffering from an infection in her vocal chords and began the show with a tongue in cheek disclaimer - "Now, don't go home and tell everybody she's losing her voice" - but even at "partial voice' it was an evening not to be missed.

I can think of few artists who can sit on a stool for a solid eighty minutes - no staging, no production values, no bells and whistles - and be so utterly captivating. She is a preeminent storyteller and makes every lyric count. She has a way of taking a song I could likely sing in my sleep -- like "Georgia" or "Bye Bye Blackbird" or Let's Fall In Love" --- and giving every word such value that it seems like I am hearing it for the very first time. This show was all about love - and was completely unpredictable because she sang no Rodgers and Hammerstein and no Sondheim - in fact, none of the songs or composers that have a handprint on her illustrious resume. There is a richness and a depth in her delivery that is beyond compare - and even as she strained for a few notes in her upper register due to her infection - all was forgiven because she was magic from lyric one.

The evening's songbook included "It Had To Be You", "When Sunny Gets Blue", "Makin' Whoopee", and "I Don't Want Love" - songs that I would normally dismiss if I were putting together a Cabaret - but all became unforgettable gems in her hands. Her "The Nearness Of You" was absolutely bewitching and hr accapella "House Of The Rising Sun" was breathtaking. But perhaps the most riveting moment in the show ... I would actually say spectacular moment ... was, after two deserved standing ovations -- her brilliant encore. Ms. Cook stood at the front of the stage and sang John Lennon's "Imagine" -- no microphone, no amplification -- with just a very soft piano accompaniment -- and literally had an entire audience leaning forward in their seats. It was a moment I will never forget.

There was only one disappointment. This concert had been rescheduled from Valentines Day, which had been cancelled because Ms. Cook was under the weather, and so the house was not full ... in fact, you might even call it sparse in the mezzanine and balcony. It was an evening not to be missed and, sadly, a lot of people missed it. But I count myself as one of the lucky ones.

For information ort tickets for upcoming performances at The McCallum Theatre visit www.mccallumtheatre.com, or call the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787

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