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[RobertArmin] Good evening. Welcome to the Fynsworth Alley chat room. Tonight my guest is the delightful musical comedy actress - Marilyn Cooper. [RobertArmin] Hi, Marilyn. [MarilynCooper] Hi [RobertArmin] Coopie, as she is affectionately known to her friends, is one my favorite people. [RobertArmin] I met her in 1991 when my wife, Kristine Nevins, was appearing in Bye Bye Birdie with Tommy Tune. [RobertArmin] Marilyn played Tune's mama. [RobertArmin] And had the opportunity to sing a brand new song by Strouse and Adams written just for her. [RobertArmin] I want to start earlier in your career. You were just a young girl when you auditioned for West Side Story. What are some of your memories. [MarilynCooper] I went to an open call and it was really crowded [MarilynCooper] And, I was very nervous and I sang a song called "The Lady Is A Tramp" [MarilynCooper] whereas everybody else, all the other women, were singing arias [MarilynCooper] And amazingly enough I was called back [RobertArmin] Do you remember who you auditioned for? [MarilynCooper] Well, actually it was Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents and Bernstein was there later [MarilynCooper] And, Ruth Mitchell, the stage manager, Hal Prince and those were the big ones that were there I guess [RobertArmin] At what point did they offer you the solo in America as Rosalia? [MarilynCooper] Not for a long time, I had to audition four or five times. I auditioned initially for Anita, not that I was seriously considered for that. [MarilynCooper] We were just auditioning for roles [MarilynCooper] And, I got Rosalia [RobertArmin] You were the girl who loved Puerto Rico and can be heard singing that part of the song on the original cast album. [RobertArmin] You had a lovely voice. [RobertArmin] And of course, you still do. [MarilynCooper] Thank you, [RobertArmin] In fact, many are unaware of just how beautiful you can sing! [RobertArmin] Did you have any sense of how important West Side Story would be? [MarilynCooper] I thought so, I thought so. I had a feeling. It was a shock that went through me when I first heard the score [MarilynCooper] Actually, when we had a run through, I kind of knew, I had a feeling, that warm feeling that comes over you when something is wonderful [RobertArmin] fredric47 has a question: Speaking of Coopie's voice, why did she change from being a legit singer in shows like 'Wholesale' to comic singing roles that followed? [MarilynCooper] Because that was what I was cast as, or whom I was cast as [MarilynCooper] Why? Never really had a legit sound, an operatic sound, I had a show tune belt [RobertArmin] fredric47 also asks: Having done "West Side Story", did you still have to audition for "Gypsy"? [MarilynCooper] For Gypsy, I am trying to remember. No, no not for GYPSY. I'm not sure, but I think he wrote it for me, Agnes and Amanda [MarilynCooper] She preferred to be called Amanda, one of the Hollywood Blondes [RobertArmin] At one point, you were understudying Louise. [RobertArmin] Jeffrey Bruce asks what was your experience like when you went on for Gypsy? [MarilynCooper] No, no, no. At the very end, just before I left , I asked if I could please be the understudy. I had lost a lot of weight and thought I was very pretty [MarilynCooper] I never got to rehearse the second act. I went on without rehearsing the second act. [RobertArmin] A strip tease for a young girl like you must have been an interesting experience? [MarilynCooper] Yes, I was frightened, I wasn't sure I was doing it right [RobertArmin] fredric47 says: You were pretty in "Wholesale," I thought. [RobertArmin] She's laughing. [MarilynCooper] Oh, thank you. [RobertArmin] Coopie is dictating her comments to Kristine -- so it takes a little time to get the responses. [RobertArmin] And the typos are all Kristine's. [RobertArmin] Scooter63 asks: Wholesale is a particular favorite...such a stellar cast with everyone doing great work. How was that experience for you? Any particular anecdotes? [MarilynCooper] Let me see [MarilynCooper] Well, it was very nice. It was lovely being an ingenue [MarilynCooper] I actually only got to be a love interest one other time, when I went on for Eydie Gorme, in GOLDEN RAINBOW [RobertArmin] What was it like working with Streisand? [MarilynCooper] She was brilliant, and you just knew she was brilliant the minute you heard her [MarilynCooper] When we were on the road she was my roommate [RobertArmin] So Arthur Laurents considered you a favorite? [RobertArmin] You were in West Side Story, Gypsy, I Can Get It For You Wholesale AND Hallelujah, Baby. [MarilynCooper] I hope so [RobertArmin] Scooter63 writes: You were a lovely ingenue...your "Who Knows" is just lovely (although I think I may have the name of the song wrong) [MarilynCooper] No, Who Knows is right [RobertArmin] fredric47 asks: Have you read the "Hallelujah, Baby!" rewrite? [MarilynCooper] No [MarilynCooper] I didn't know there was one [RobertArmin] Another question: Was Ethel Merman intimidating to you, performing with her in a show? [MarilynCooper] No, I loved her, I thought she was wonderful [MarilynCooper] I was awed by her but not intimidated [RobertArmin] Do you consider "Gypsy" to be the best written musical you ever appeared in? [MarilynCooper] I think WEST SIDE was wonderful [RobertArmin] What was your experience like working with Lauren Bacall? [MarilynCooper] It was good [MarilynCooper] It was very good, she was very giving on stage and [MarilynCooper] it takes two to tango and she was wonderful [RobertArmin] Scooter63 asks: Out of town tryouts are fascinating to me. Which was the most hellish? Which the easiest? [MarilynCooper] Between anything I've done? Well, actually, I will have to think about that awhile [MarilynCooper] I think when I did a Neil Simon play, female version of THE ODD COUPLE. That was very difficult. [RobertArmin] That was Sally Struthers and Rita Moreno as Florence and Olive. [RobertArmin] They used Trivial Pursuit instead of poker. I think that has dated the female version considerably. [MarilynCooper] Yeah, but they can change it back. They should change it back to poker [RobertArmin] Fredric47 writes: Were you sorry that "Birdie" with Tommy Tune and you as Mae didn't go to Broadway? [MarilynCooper] YES, I loved doing it [RobertArmin] You were great in that show. [RobertArmin] I traveled all over the country to see that show. [RobertArmin] And you were always a delight. [RobertArmin] And never missed a performance in thirteen months [RobertArmin] Except for the one week you took off. What did you do that week? [MarilynCooper] I did CHEERS [MarilynCooper] An episode of CHEERS [RobertArmin] That was the time you played Lilith's mother. [MarilynCooper] I played Bebe Newuwirth's Mother [MarilynCooper] Never reprised the role [RobertArmin] Scooter63 adds: I had the privilege to see you here in Chicago. Do you enjoy touring? [RobertArmin] That he saw you in Birdie in Chicago. [MarilynCooper] For the most part, yeah [RobertArmin] Jeffrey Bruce asks: If you could go back (or forward for that matter) and could do a role of your dreams, what would it be ? [MarilynCooper] I love Gooch, I've done Gooch and I love it [MarilynCooper] That was a role that was so fulfilling, Gooch in MAME [MarilynCooper] Actually, there are bunches of things I never tried, like Shakespeare [RobertArmin] You would be great as the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. [MarilynCooper] I played it in YOUR OWN THING [RobertArmin] Yes, based on Twelfth Night. Where did you do that? [MarilynCooper] Monaco [RobertArmin] Who was your Viola? [MarilynCooper] Viola, I think was a dancer by the name of Leland Palmer [RobertArmin] Yes, she created the part off-Broadway. [RobertArmin] I also saw Bonnie Franklin do that role and Sandy Duncan played the part for a while. [RobertArmin] Fredric47 comments: Did Princess Grace attend? [MarilynCooper] Yeah, sure, and I met her [RobertArmin] Scooter63 asks: Are there any classic Broadway roles that you were up for but didn't get? (Hope that's not rude to ask) [MarilynCooper] I am sure several [MarilynCooper] Yes, as a matter of fact, I did audition for the Streisand role in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE [RobertArmin] Makeupman asks: Were the rehearsal processes with two radically different divas named Merman and Bacall very different? [MarilynCooper] Yes, yeah, because they are two totally different women [MarilynCooper] Basically, Merman was a singing and Bacall was basically an actress [MarilynCooper] But they were both wonderful and both very fulfilling [RobertArmin] fredric47 asks: How did you like doing "The Nanny" TV series? [MarilynCooper] I did, I did, It was a lot of fun, the people were a lot of fun, [RobertArmin] The typos are Kristine's. She meant to say Merman was a singer not a singing. [RobertArmin] But you probably figured that out. [RobertArmin] fredric 47 asks: Was your part in "Woman of the Year" cut back? [MarilynCooper] No, I don't think so. I think it was always the same [RobertArmin] Makeupman writes: I think a mark of Bacall's intelligence was that she knew that "The Grass is Always Greener" was "your" song. When I saw you on opening night, I said to my friend Wayne, "forget the nomination. She just WON the Tony"! And I was right! mazel tov!! [MarilynCooper] Is that you Jeffrey? [RobertArmin] Jeffrey is a friend of Marilyn's [RobertArmin] and he responds [RobertArmin] "who else???" [RobertArmin] So your secret identity is revealed! [RobertArmin] fredric47 asks: What was doing "Redhead" at Goodspeed like? [MarilynCooper] It was good, it was fun, it was nice. It was a wonderful show [MarilynCooper] And, as a matter of fact Gwen Verdon came up to see the show [RobertArmin] Jeffrey adds: She is one of the most loyal, and loving friends a man could have. I hope that I am not embarrassing her, but we have been friends for 28 years and will be for another 128. [MarilynCooper] Thank you, I love you Jeffrey [RobertArmin] Fredric47 writes: Did you get to talk to Albert Hague when you did the show, Redhead? What did he say? [MarilynCooper] Yes, I did, I spoke to him and he seemed to enjoy it, our version. Yes, I think he liked it very much. It is a wonderful show [RobertArmin] Another question: You had a marvelous cameo role in "Do, Re, Mi" at Encores. Please comment on the experience. [MarilynCooper] Well, actually, it was a little role that was stuck in for me, I was suppose to be an auditionee, we laughed a lot and I was on and off in a minute [RobertArmin] Scooter63 asks: Ever considering writing a book about your career? Or doing a solo album? [MarilynCooper] Yes [MarilynCooper] I don't know how I could do the book best. A solo album would be more difficult [RobertArmin] A book is a marvelous idea. We can only begin to touch on all of your theatrical experiences in a chat. [RobertArmin] fredric47 thinks you should do an album of duets with your friends in the musical theatre. [RobertArmin] What songs would you consider for such an album? [MarilynCooper] That I would have to think about [MarilynCooper] That would be an important decision [RobertArmin] Is there one particular song you would include? [MarilynCooper] Probably TOGETHER from GYPSY [RobertArmin] fredric47 adds: Your singing on the Steven Sondheim, the number from "Saturday Night" is a delight. [MarilynCooper] Thank you [RobertArmin] That's the Unsung Sondheim album. [MarilynCooper] Yes [RobertArmin] Our one Marilyn Cooper entry, but there are so many other albums with Coopie's performances out there. [RobertArmin] Do you have a favorite recording? [MarilynCooper] Recording that I'm on? Yes, I've done something from the Mostly Mercer, "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry" [RobertArmin] That's one of my absolute favorite Coopie performances. [MarilynCooper] Has a wonderful verse [RobertArmin] Makeupman adds: One more thing. The general public is unaware of the beautiful voice Marilyn has. The closest they ever heard to that end was in WHOLESALE, and let's not forget when she went on for Eydie Gorme in GOLDEN RAINBOW. A solo album would be great. I promise this was my last statement or I'll be accused of nepoptism! [RobertArmin] or nemomtism! [RobertArmin] Marilyn thanks you for your kind words [RobertArmin] fredric47 asks: did you know Ben Bagley well? [MarilynCooper] No, I was in a couple of his revues [MarilynCooper] I did not know him well [RobertArmin] Ben was a hard guy to get to know well. I was working with him on his autobiography when he died. And he spoke of Marilyn highly. [RobertArmin] The difficult thing about Ben was that you never really knew when he was telling the truth or making things up. [RobertArmin] fredric47 comments that I should finish up the book. [RobertArmin] Thank you. I need to pull out the tapes and start transcribing again one of these days. [RobertArmin] But back to Coopie. [RobertArmin] fredric47 asks how Fred Ebb is doing? [MarilynCooper] I presume he is doing fine [RobertArmin] Do you have any upcoming projects? [MarilynCooper] Not at the moment [RobertArmin] But you're available? [MarilynCooper] Yeah [RobertArmin] I remember seeing you in On the Town playing Lucy Schmeeler. [RobertArmin] During an early Saturday matinee, you actually went on in Bernadette Peters' role as Hildy. [RobertArmin] The dances were reconfigured to keep you out of many of them. Were you just not rehearsed in them? [MarilynCooper] Yeah, I didn't know them. They didn't consider me a dancer [MarilynCooper] Jerry Robbins let me do a dance or two in Japan [RobertArmin] Coopie just demonstrated a dance - duh dum duh da dum! [RobertArmin] She's dancing all around my living room [RobertArmin] I can't stop her! [RobertArmin] She's going wile! [RobertArmin] wild! [RobertArmin] Just kidding. [RobertArmin] Scooter47 asks if you ever played Fanny's mother in Funny Girl? [MarilynCooper] Never [RobertArmin] Fredric47 must know you as well. He writes: Her back must be feeling fine then. [RobertArmin] Unfortunately, it's not. [RobertArmin] But she's here! [RobertArmin] Again talking about future projects, fredric47 comments: What about the Polly Rowles part in "No Strings" for Encores? [MarilynCooper] Polly Rowles? I'm not familiar with that role? [RobertArmin] When you went on for Bernadette in On the Town, how much advance notice did you have? [MarilynCooper] A minute, no but not much notice [RobertArmin] fredric47 adds that Polly Rowles had the song Love Makes The World Go Square. [RobertArmin] You should definitely be seen in more productions. [RobertArmin] Broadway needs your talent! [RobertArmin] Craves your talent! [RobertArmin] So, we'll give Encores a call! [RobertArmin] What are some of the shows you've done outside of New York that I may have missed? [MarilynCooper] Mame, I guess [MarilynCooper] A thing with Tammy Grimes, by a wonderful French writer [MarilynCooper] GIlbert Becaud [MarilynCooper] I did it in Washington at the Ford's Theatre [RobertArmin] fredric47 comments: You did that one in Buffalo at the Studio Arena. [MarilynCooper] Yes, that's right [RobertArmin] Was it called Gabrielle? [MarilynCooper] Gabrielle, yes [RobertArmin] He adds: I would also like to see her on TV more. Would you consider moving to LA to do sitcoms? [MarilynCooper] Yes [RobertArmin] I love these long answers. [RobertArmin] He wonders if Tammy Grimes was demanding? [MarilynCooper] She was fun, not demanding she was fun, she was good [MarilynCooper] May I ask who is Frederic47? [RobertArmin] Coopie is not used to doing interviews online, but she seems to be mastering the art. [RobertArmin] fredric47 responds: I'm glad to hear it. I'm just someone who has followed your career since "West Side Story" and consider myself a fan of your work. We have never met. [MarilynCooper] Oh, how nice [RobertArmin] He adds: Right now we are playing "What's My Line?" [RobertArmin] He also adds that he would be the first person to buy your book. [MarilynCooper] Thank you [MarilynCooper] so much [RobertArmin] Well, we need to get to work on such a book. [RobertArmin] Well, it's almost time to wrap things up. Do let me ask you if you have any particularly favorite roles? [MarilynCooper] It was "Ruthie" in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, and "Agnes" in MAME and "Jan" in WOMEN OF THE YEAR, and I did love Mae, the Mother in BYE BYE BIRDIE [RobertArmin] So much for short answers! [RobertArmin] Those were all terrific performances. [RobertArmin] And fortunately, the recordings exist of all except for your version of Mame. [RobertArmin] And Bye Bye Birdie, I should add. [RobertArmin] Although, I did recently hear a live recording of her performance in that show. [RobertArmin] Do you prefer doing musicals or straight plays? [MarilynCooper] I don't know, I love doing comedy and I think it is an individual thing, whatever it is, play or musical [MarilynCooper] It is the part, I enjoy comedy and musicals [RobertArmin] fredric47 has an excellent title for your autobiography. "Survivor" from your Tony Award-winning speech. [RobertArmin] What did you say that night? [MarilynCooper] I said "I'm a poker player... [RobertArmin] I don't remember the rest. [RobertArmin] That is to say, I don't think she remembers the rest. [RobertArmin] As is to be expected, fredric47 has the answer: She said that she was a survivor and that's how she made it to this point in her career. [RobertArmin] I'll have to pull out my video tape of the broadcast and check that out for Coopie. [MarilynCooper] I remember saying something about winning and used the poker player thing [RobertArmin] Well, I think it time to wrap things up. [RobertArmin] Any last comments? [MarilynCooper] No [RobertArmin] Scooter63 adds: Thanks for giving so much pleasure over the years...on record and onstage. It has been an honor to chat with you. Best of luck to you and Happy New Year! [MarilynCooper] Same to you, Happy New Year to you. I have had a positively terrific time chatting this evening [RobertArmin] And fredric47 adds: Thank you, Coopie. I think you are a hoot! [MarilynCooper] we laugh [RobertArmin] Thank you for joining us this evening. I am delighted to have you as a friend and I was thrilled to be able to chat with you this evening. [RobertArmin] Speaking of Coopie, of course. [RobertArmin] And those of you reading this, please come back next week when my guest will be the fabulous singing star, Brent Barrett. Goodnight. [RobertArmin] fionasdad just arrive: I'm late: I loved you in Mame, Woman of the Year and Birdie [RobertArmin] Marilyn says thanks. Good night. I will post a transcript of our conversation at robertarmin.com tomorrow. [RobertArmin] Good night.
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