"Wholesale" Lead Actress, Sang with Barbra

April 24, 2009
Marilyn Cooper got her first major role on Broadway when Arthur Laurents cast her as Ruthie Rivkin, the girlfriend of Harry Bogen (Elliott Gould) in Barbra Streisand's first musical, "I Can Get It For You Wholesale." Cooper, who actually had a much larger part in the show than Barbra, shared a musical song with Barbra. In the first act finale, Marilyn and Barbra sang together in the ensemble number, "Ballad of the Garment Trade."

Marilyn Cooper's role in "Wholesale" was one of the few serious parts she performed during her career. As time progressed, Cooper became much more successful as a comic performer. In 1981, Cooper co-starred with Lauren Bacall in Kander & Ebb's musical, "Woman of the Year." Her hilarious rendition of "The Grass Is Always Greener" was a nightly showstopper, helping earn Cooper a Tony award for her performance.

Marilyn Cooper was a favorite casting choice for Arthur Laurents. Besides "Wholesale," Laurents cast Cooper in the original productions of "Gypsy" and "West Side Story." Among the many other Broadway shows Cooper has appeared in were "Mame," "Brigadoon" and Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound." Her final role on Broadway was in the 1994 revival of "Grease" starring Rosie O'Donnell. She was brought in to play the part of Miss Lynch mid-way through the show's run.