Chicago-born, Texas-raised Barbara Barrie already had a prolific theater career behind her when she came to prominence as the lead in _One Potato, Two Potato at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival.
Graduate of The University of Texas at Austin - BFA 52.
Graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.
Mother of Jane Harnick and Aaron Harnick.
She is the author of two critically acclaimed novels for young adults: "Lone Star" and "Adam Zigzag".
She created Tomato Lightning, a spicy chutney available in gourmet food stores.
Received a 1971 Tony nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in Stephen Sondheim s "Company," and is also featured on the landmark documentary by D.A. Pennebaker on the making of the shows cast album.
Sister-in-law of Sheldon Harnick.
Member of alpha epsilon phi sorority.
Survived rectal cancer.
Was replaced in the role of Yente during previews of "Fiddler on the Roof" starring Alfred Molina. The production itself was vilified in the Los Angeles Times for the productions deliberate "ethnic cleansing." Apparently, the endearing Yiddish-speaking character that Barbara had personified had been stripped down to have a WASPish-sounding voice. The other characters, including that of Molinas Tevye, were stripped of their ethnic influences as well except for those directly required by the script. The revival, however, did quite well on Broadway and ran for nearly two years.
Long married to Jay Harnick, the founder and longtime artistic director of TheatreworksUSA, the nations largest company for young audiences and a training ground for some of the more noted names in entertainment, including F. Murray Abraham , for almost 40 years. During his tenure, Harnicks company performed for 50 million children and earned Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel awards, the only childrens theatre to do so. Harnick retired in 2000 and died on February 27, 2007.
Was in Charleston, South Carolina, making the TV mini-series "Scarlett" when she became dizzy and passed out. Taken to a nearby hospital, they did a sigmoidoscopy of the lower colon the following day and discovered her cancer.
Wrote "Second Act" in 1997, a frank and irreverently humorous book chronicling her 30-year experience first with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and subsequent cancer.
Raised in Texas.
George Furth wrote eleven one-act plays planned for Kim Stanley as each of the separate leads. Hollywood actor Anthony Perkins, interested in directing, asked Stephen Sondheim to read the material. After Sondheim read the plays, Sondheim asked Harold Prince for his opinion; Harold Prince thought the plays would make the basis for a musical. The theme would be New York marriages with a central character to examine those marriages. Originally titled "Threes," its plot revolves around Bobby, a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage, four married couples, and one single couple, who are his best friends, and the musicals additional roles include Bobbys three free-wheeling girl friends. Unlike most book musicals, which follow a clearly delineated plot, "Company" is a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, linked by a celebration for Bobbys 35th birthday. "Company" was among the first musicals to deal with adult themes and relationships. As Sondheim puts it, "Broadway theater has been for many years supported by upper-middle-class people with upper-middle-class problems. These people really want to escape that world when they go to the theatre, and then here we are with Company talking about how were going to bring it right back in their faces." "Company" opened in Boston in out-of-town tryouts, receiving mixed reviews, from the Boston Evening Globe "Brilliant", to Variety Magazine "The songs are for the most part undistinguished" and "As it stands now its for ladies matinees, homos and misogynists." The book was by George Furth; Lyrics and music was by Stephen Sondheim; Direction was by Harold Prince. "Company" opened on April 26, 1970, at the Alvin Theatre in New York City, where it ran for 705 performances after seven previews. Musical staging was by Michael Bennett, assisted by Bob Avian. The set design by Boris Aronson consisted of two working elevators and various vertical platforms that emphasized the musicals theme of isolation. The role of Robert, originally performed by Dean Jones, is the central character; his 35th birthday brings the group together. The original cast included Dean Jones, who had replaced Anthony Perkins early in the rehearsal period when Perkins departed to direct a play. Shortly after opening night, Jones withdrew from the show, allegedly due to illness, but actually due to stress he was suffering from ongoing divorce proceedings. He was replaced by his understudy Larry Kert, who had created the role of Tony in Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheims 1957 Broadway musical "West Side Story." Larry Kert earned rave reviews for his performance when the critics were invited to return soon after opening night. The original Broadway cast included Donna McKechnie, Susan Browning, Pamela Myers, Barbara Barrie, Charles Kimbrough, Merle Louise, Beth Howland, and Elaine Stritch. "Company" was honored with the following theatre awards: the 1971 New York Drama Desk Award for (1) Outstanding Book of a Musical awarded to George Furth; Outstanding Director of a Musical awarded to Harold Prince; Outstanding Lyrics and (4) Outstanding Music awarded to Stephen Sondheim; (5) Outstanding Set Design was awarded to Boris Aronson. The New York Theatre World Award was presented to actor Susan Browning. In an unusual move, the Tony Awards committee deemed Larry Kert eligible for a nomination, an honor usually reserved for the actor who technically originates a role. The musical was nominated for a record setting 14 Tony Award Nominations and won six. "Company" won the (1) Tony Award for Best Musical; Tony Award Best Score (music) and Tony Award Best Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; (4) Tony Award Best Book of a Musical by George Furth; (5) Tony Award Best Direction for a Musical by Harold Prince; (6) Tony Award Best Scenic Design by Boris Aronson; Nominated for Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (7) Larry Kert; Nominated for Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (8) Elaine Stritch and Susan Browning; Nominated for Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Charles Kimbrough; Nominated for Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (11) Barbara Barrie and (12) Pamela Myers; Nominated for Tony Award Best Choreography (13) Michael Bennett; Nominated for Tony Award Best Lighting Design (14) Robert Ornbo. Note: In the early 1990s, Furth and Sondheim revised the libretto, cutting and altering dialogue that had become dated and rewriting the end to act one.
