Bill Cosby ‘Greatest’ In SPAC Performance

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, August 31, 1968

What can be said about Bill Cosby but that he is the greatest? In damp cold last night at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, he kept over 7,000 people in hysterics, in sustained laughter the likes of which SPAC has never heard before. And they stood in a thunderous ovation at the close, shouting for more.

His comic situations, his unbelievable ability to switch his voice instantly and continuously to portray several characters is amazing. He is an absolute master as a storyteller, with a sense of timing perfect to achieve his tales.

In the first half of the program, he commented on “the grass people,” referring to the several thousand on the lawn, and repeatedly noted, “I just never would have believed it could be so cold here in Saratoga in August.” To emphasize this undisputable fact, he blew his breath, quipping “we miss this in California sure we do.”

Given to long stories with several characters, he did an hilarious tale of Adam and Eve, then devoted over a half hour to a story of his brothers and his father in an all-too-familiar tale of brothers scrapping when it is time for bed.

The laughter of the audience at the antics of the brothers, as portrayed by Mr. Cosby alone on a bare stage, was proof that the young people and adults alike in the audience readily identified with the situation portrayed.

Perhaps one of the funniest moments was a tale of his first encounter with a powerful specially-built sports car, which
would have put the Grand Prix to shame. Mr. Cosby’s ability to use his voice for sound effects, while still developing the characterizations and the story is almost beyond belief.

Also appearing on the program were the Jack Wilson Trio, a fine musical group, and O. C. Smith, one of the country’s best ballad singers. Possessing a voice similar to Billy Daniels, Mr. Smith presented a dozen of the best hits of the day in excellent fashion.

Mr. Cosby wore a brown leather jacket, beige levis, pink shirt, wild, striped wide tie and red boots and indicated back
stage, “I almost wish I had worn my benchwarmer. I can’t believe this cold. It’s crazy.”

Although the standing ovation and shouts at the close called for an encore, Mr. Cosby was off the SPAC grounds in a police-escorted limousine before most people had even left their seats, bound for a plane at Albany Airport.

He told the press early in the evening of this tight schedule noting that “I always hate it when I’m booked this close. It’s not fair to an audience but what can I do?”