Barbra Attends VIP Screening with Hubby.

Everyone knows Barbra Streisand is one of Hollywood’s leading liberals, but who knew her hubby, James Brolin, could be the political mensch himself?

I got the chance to talk with Brolin and Terrence Howard last night at a VIP screening of their new flick, The Hunting Party, about three journalists who are mistaken for CIA operatives when they attempt to locate Bosnia’s most-wanted war criminal.

They shot for more than two months in Bosnia and Croatia. “They didn’t like Americans because we elected Bush twice,” Brolin said. “Once? Okay. But twice means you really want him. We would tell them we were Canadian.”

“I would tell them I was from Rwanda,” Howard cracked.

Security, including bodyguards, was on high alert when cast and crew touched down in eastern Europe. “At first, they assigned bodyguards to us,” Brolin said. “So, you kind of wondered what was up. But then after two or three days, you go, What’s the problem here?”

Apparently there were none for the pair, who soon found themselves ditching their burly babysitters. “We had to escape from our own bodyguards,” Howard said.

Brolin remembered, “I was emailing friends, saying I was tying sheets together and scaling down the walls to go take a walk.”


Streisand wasn’t talking to the press, so I thought I’d get her husband’s take on who he thinks will be taking over the White House. “Hillary is certainly the most qualified,” he said. “But it will be interesting to see how Obama will mature in the coming months. It’s like a horse race. Everybody changes, and you find out the one who was so strong doesn’t have any stamina.”

Brolin won’t be surprised if anti-Clinton mudslinging intensifies as election day gets closer. “It could get really nasty,” Howard said, adding, “I was hearing today that they’re saving a real juicy thing on Bill for the election.”

I would have loved to ask Streisand what she thought about that, but she wasn’t talking last night. Instead, she did what she loves to do—nosh! The menu included one of her favorites: cupcakes from Sprinkles bakery in Beverly Hills.

But it looks like Babs may be counting calories. As Brolin and I chatted, she kept busy eating a cupcake, but only after she scraped off all the frosting.

The Essential Barbra Streisand album (2002) is back on the UK charts, five years after it gained the Number One spot. The album of Greatest Hits (and 2 new recordings) is currently Number 12 on the charts in the UK.

Barbra performed in London for the first time in 13 years, earlier this month. Her performance in Manchester on July 10th marked Barbra's first ever UK performance outside London.

BarbraNews.com would also like to point out that, while in London last week, for the Streisand shows -- Virgin and HMV had 'Barbra Streisand -- Live In Concert 2006' at Number One on their own charts.

Album and Concert News

Just a note -- For all of BarbraNews.com's Updates on the TOUR and the new ALBUM -- click here.

Streisand To Tour Continental Europe: First time ever.

FIRST EVER BARBRA STREISAND TOUR OF CONTINENTAL EUROPE AND A RETURN TO UK AFTER 13 YEARS.

‘Streisand Live In Concert’

London date on-sale: Friday 4 May

It was announced today that Barbra Streisand, who received rave reviews for her US tour (see below), will perform live in Continental Europe this June and July for the very first time in her celebrated career. She will also perform her first concert in London since 1994. The European tour, which her many fans have been eagerly anticipating for years, visits Austria, France, Ireland and the UK and follows her record-breaking US tour last autumn. †More tour dates in additional countries will be announced shortly. This rare opportunity to see Barbra Streisand makes these concerts the most eagerly anticipated of the year. †
"What a joy it will be to perform in so many wonderful countries for the first time,” said Streisand. “I can't wait to experience these different audiences and different cultures.”
A 58 piece orchestra will accompany Ms Streisand as she performs many of the classic songs from her unique repertoire such as “Evergreen”, “People”, “The Way We Were”, “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and many more.
Martin Erlichman, Streisand’s longtime manager announced the tour, and confirmed that the recent US tour, her first in six years, had broken box office records in a staggering 14 of the 16 venues she played. She already held, and still holds, the record in the remaining 2 venues. Designated proceeds from the tour will support her various philanthropic initiatives and will be distributed through The Streisand Foundation.


The European concert dates are:
21 June Vienna Schloss Schonbrun
26 June Paris Bercy
10 July Nice Nikaia Stadium
14 July Dublin Castletown House
18 July London††† The O2 Arena

Other cities are in the final stages of negotiation and will be announced shortly.†
For ticket information see local outlets. For Official Fan Club, Tour and Ticket information visit: www.BarbraStreisand.com. For special VIP Packages, visit: www.cpitour.com.
The tour will be presented by promoter Michael Cohl for Concert Productions International (CPI) and Solo.

"It is an incredible honour to bring Barbra Streisand, certainly the greatest female performer of all time, to Continental Europe for her very first concert tour,” said Cohl. “It is an amazing show -- a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed."

US critics were unanimous in their praise for the concerts last autumn:
“She was, is and will forever be the real deal.”
Liz Smith

“Every superlative – a hundred times over! (Barbra Streisand) is the greatest singer in the known universe.”
Montreal Le Devoir

“The blend of intimacy and showiness in Streisand’s voice turns her performances into portraits of the heart and mind in self-discovery…she was simply amazing”
LA Times

“The audience shouted accolades and gave her standing ovations”
Washington Post

“Once or twice a generation there comes a personality that just fills the room. Sinatra was like that, so was Elvis and so is Barbra Streisand.”
Journal Sentinel

“When she asked, in a very old song, Have I Stayed Too Long At the Fair? The only suitable reply could be: Stay as long as you wish, Barbra.”
Miami Herald

“Streisand is a singular and amazingly accomplished artist.”
Columbus Dispatch

“Her singing glows with a tone so luxurious and a texture so rich, you nearly want to burst into song yourself.”
New York Daily News

Barbra Streisand is the music industry's #1 best-selling female artist with 50 Gold, 30 Platinum and 13 Multi-Platinum albums to her credit. †She is second in the all-time charts, ahead of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, exceeded only by Elvis. †She continues to be the highest-selling female recording artist ever. †Streisand remains the only artist to receive Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, and Peabody Awards, and the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award. †††

An artist of unparalleled accomplishments in multiple entertainment fields, Streisand has made her mark as an award winning actress of stage and screen, recording artist, concert performer, movie producer, film director, screenwriter and songwriter. Having earned two Oscars (Best Actress and Best Song), four Emmys, ten Golden Globes, eight Grammys, a special Tony Award (in 1970 as "Star of the Decade"), and two Cable Ace awards, she is the only performer to hold honours from all of those institutions. In addition, Streisand is a recipient of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award, the National Endowment for the Arts National Medal of Arts, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The film that returned her to movie acting, “Meet The Fockers,” became the first live-action comedy to exceed a half billion dollars at the box-office. †It also set a record of 3,000,000 copies sold in its first 24 hours of video release.

This May Sony BMG will release the two disc collection Live in Concert 2006, recorded during her record-breaking U.S. tour. The double disc will feature the finest live performances of her best-loved standards, rarely performed catalogue gems, duets with Il Divo and onstage dialogue.

About Concert Productions International (CPI)
Founded and led by entertainment industry visionary Michael Cohl, CPI is a world leader and innovator in full service global touring, having produced some of the largest grossing tours in history. At present, CPI is the producer of the Rolling Stones’ A Bigger Bang record-breaking world tour, Barbra Streisand’s record-breaking concert tour, Genesis’ ‘Turn It On Again’ North American Tour, and The Who’s world tour.

Barbra Appearance

Barbra attended The Los Angeles Antique Show Opening Night Preview Party to Benefit Charity Partner P.S. ARTS last night (25 April). Here are some small photos.

Barbra To Tour Europe

An announcement will be made very shortly. There has been a LOT of press activity in the past 48 hours throughout Europe. I don't have any more information at present -- and can not answer questions until I post the Official Announcement (probably next week).

EVERGREEN BABRA HINTS AT EUROPEAN COMEBACK CONCERTS

As she celebrates her 65th birthday today, Barbra Streisand has hinted at a concert comeback in Europe.

For the American star, whose prolific CV includes two Oscars, the shows would be her first in more than a decade on this side of the Atlantic. Youthful-looking Barbra, who stopped performing live in 1998 following her marriage to the actor James Brolin, made a triumphant return to the US stage last year with a sell-out concert tour.

It has encouraged me to tour again, perhaps in Europe,” she reveals, also admitting that she still finds live shows difficult. “I do not like performing live. I feel like I’m in a beauty pageant; like I’m 18 years old and strutting around.

“That’s not what I’m about and it explains why I have always hated live performances. It terrifies me.”

Of her recent concert success in the US, she adds: “I didn’t know if people really wanted to see me. I am flattered if they do, although I never thought I was anything special to see.”

UK fans would disagree, Barbra.

Source: Daily Express, UK

Happy Birthday Barbra!

Barbra turns 65 today. Barbra, if you're reading this -- Many Happy Returns! You're Still Ageless... and Evergreen.

Do you have a Barbra-birthday story? Send it to me. barbranews@aol.com

Congrats to Mona from the message board, who emailed her local TV station about Barbra's birthday. They showed a photograph of Mona and her Husband, along with a photo of Barbra... and wished Barbra a Happy Birthday from Mona! They even said "Hello, gorgeous!"
-------------
Robin Lipman told me:

I work at an elementary school down in Florida and I make sure we celebrate Barbra's birthday there every year! I brought in a big birthday cake this morning, and the Principal and I had a bunch of students get together to sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to BARBRA. Then we played it over the loudspeaker for all the classes to hear and to sing along as well. It was so cool, it brought tears to my eyes!

HAPPY BARBRA'S BIRTHDAY EVERYONE!!!
Robin Lipman
Coral Springs, FL
-------------

Something's Coming...

Just a message to let everyone know to keep checking this website over the next few days. All will become clear -- very soon.

STREISAND HOSTS FIRST SO. CALIF. DINNER HONORING NANCY PELOSI AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, RAISING $1.3 MILLION FOR DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS

Barbra Streisand opened her Malibu estate April 12 to host the first Los Angeles event honoring her friend Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. The event, attended by 120 invited guests who paid $25,000 to $50,000 a couple, raised $1,300,000 for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). The fundraiser was in support of the DCCC's efforts to increase the party’s majority in the House of Representatives in the 2008 elections.

At the gala dinner, the artist/activist welcomed such celebrity Democratic supporters as Eva Longoria, Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Michaels, David Foster, Kenny G, Josh Groban, Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Amy Benneman, JJ Abrams, Dick Van Dyke and Nita Whitaker, with Foster, Etheridge, Kenny G, Groban, classical pianist Tara Kamangar and Whitaker featured in musical performance. Among the notable political activists present were Norman and Lyn Lear, Cindy and Alan Horn and Mary and Steven Swig.

Democratic members of the House of Representatives attending were Congresspersons Hilda Solis, Chris Van Hollen, Xavier Becerra, Loretta Sanchez, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Brad Sherman and Henry Waxman.

In 1986, Ms. Streisand hosted a fundraiser at her prior Malibu estate, the famed “One Voice” concert, which earned $1.2 million to support the Democratic Party’s effort to reclaim majority in the United States Senate, a campaign which did that by electing five new Democrats to the body. Subsequent broadcast and record and DVD sales of the artist’s concert that evening have brought in an additional $11 million which her Streisand Foundation directed to major charitable and social causes she supports.

The seated dinner and program, which was tented, followed a cocktail reception in Ms. Streisand’s garden.

Thanks: Dick Guttman.

Barbra At Clinton Breast Cancer Fundraiser

BEVERLY HILLS — Barbra Streisand, Sharon Stone and Brooke Shields turned out at a cocktail party Monday night to hear former President Bill Clinton talk about breasts. Specifically, Clinton spoke about how health care advances and The National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund can eradicate breast cancer, the disease that claimed his mother, Virginia Clinton Kelley, in 1994.
Held on the grounds outside the hilltop mansion of Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone, 83, and his wife of four years, Paula Fortunato, 44, Clinton joked, "their beautiful home … sort of makes the White House look like public housing.

After a video saluting Clinton's mother concluded, Redstone's wife slipped two fingers in her mouth and made a deafening whistle. Then, when Clinton spoke, she wrapped one arm around her husband and the other around Streisand, stroking the singer's back to keep her warm as the temperatures began to drop.

Clinton saluted Streisand for befriending his ailing mother at his first inauguration in January 1993. "Other people like her or don't for her politics," Clinton said of Streisand, "but I want you to know something — she called my mother once a week for one solid year until she died. And I will never forget that."

Clinton said his mother spent the last week of her life "pulling slot machines" and hearing Streisand sing in Las Vegas.

To read the full article, click here

Barbra Streisand Helps Nancy Pelosi Raise $1.3M for Democrats

Barbra Streisand welcomed Nancy Pelosi to her blufftop Malibu estate for a fundraising dinner that took in $1.3 million for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"She's a very good friend of Nancy Pelosi and she wanted to celebrate the first female speaker of the house," Streisand publicist Dick Guttman said.

The 120 invited guests paid up to $50,000 a couple to attend Thursday night's dinner party inside a large white tent erected on the Point Dume property. The fundraiser was to increase the Democrat majority in the House of Representatives in the 2008 elections, Guttman said.

It was the first fundraiser at Streisand's home since a 1986 concert that raised $1.2 million for Democrats, he said.

At the Streisand dinner were Eva Longoria, Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Michaels, David Foster, Kenny G, Josh Groban, Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Amy Brenneman, J.J. Abrams, Dick Van Dyke, Nita Whitaker and Norman Lear.

Also on hand were Democrat members of congress, including U.S. Reps. Hilda Solis, Chris Van Hollen, Xavier Becerra, Loretta Sanchez, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Brad Sherman and Henry Waxman.

Roslyn Kind's New Website

Barbra's Sis, Roslyn Kind -- has just launched her new website. It's great! Filled with lots of goodies -- with more being added soon. Check it out. Click here.

Listen To Clips From Forthcoming Album

You can now listen to clips from the forthcoming album, using the following link.

Barbra Attends Clinton Fundraiser.

Barbra attended a Fundraiser on Sunday Evening... Here is a report from Fox News.

...key to last night's event, though, was the appearance of Streisand. A longtime, steadfast Clinton friend, Streisand attended the cocktail party, stayed until the end, ate the chicken-and-mashed-potato dinner and even led the question-and-answer session that followed the presidential candidate's enthusiastic speech that covered the Iraq war, climate change, Sept. 11 funding in New York and, of course, health care.

Streisand, taking the microphone at her table, at first fumbled.

"I'm scared of microphones," the legendary singer quipped. Then she asked, "Did New York ever get the money for 9/11?"

New Book: Barbra Streisand In New York: A Self Guided Tour of Landmark Locations in The Career of Barbra Streisand (Paperback)

THE GUIDE TO WHERE BARBRA STREISAND-DID-WHAT-WHERE and WHEN in NEW YORK CITY

* Where she lived-sang-dated-dined
* Where Barbra's father lived
* Where Barbra went to school
* Where was The Lion, the place she won a talent contest
* Where she filmed
* Where Barbra worked as a receptionist
* A journey on the sidewalks of New York City, following in the incredible footsteps of BARBRA STREISAND

Order this book HERE. Just released!

Barnes And Noble: Exclusive Track

Barnes And Noble will be releasing 'Barbra Streisand - Live in 2006' on May 8th 2007, WITH a bonus track (unavailable with other retailers). The bonus track is: When The Sun Comes Out. Pre-order here.

Forthcoming Album Details.

--2 CD Set
--Street Date: 8 May 2007.
--Superb Digital 96-track Recording
--The CD's release will be proceeded by three weeks of TV advertising on 11 cable networks -- as well as a massive online promotional and advertising campaign.
--National and Spot TV will run the week of the release.
--Print Advertising will continue.
--Look for a MAJOR announcement from Barbra, just as this CD hits the streets.

PRE-ORDER HERE

Live Album Delay

Sorry guys -- but Barbra Streisand, Live in Concert 2006 has been delayed until May 8th 2007. Details here.

Truth Alert

Despite reports that Barbra attended a Fundraiser for Barrack Obama last night -- BarbraNews can confirm that she did not attend but she made a financial contribution.

Barbra's Forthcoming Birthday

To celebrate Barbra's forthcoming 65th (not a typo) Birthday, I'll be sending your Birthday Wishes direct to her office at the beginning of April.

Thank you for all your Birthday Greetings. No more can be posted.

Barbra Donates $10k To Malibu Fire Stations

MALIBU, Calif. -- A $10,000 donation from entertainer Barbra Streisand will be used to purchase new tools and equipment for Los Angeles County fire stations in Malibu.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday formally accepted the donation, which will go to the five Battalion 5 stations in the Malibu area. The battalion has additional stations in Agoura, Calabasas, Topanga and Westlake Village.

The donation was made on behalf of The Streisand Foundation. Since it was founded in 1986, the Santa Monica-based foundation has distributed $15 million, largely to environmental, civil liberties and women's organizations.

Barbra Joins LACMA Board

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has added four high-profile members to its board of trustees including actress and recording artist Barbra Streisand.

"This is a truly remarkable time to be part of LACMA. I am certain that our new trustees agree and will bring an added level of experience and engagement to the museum's transformation," board chairwoman Nancy Daly Riordan said in a statement.

"This new group of trustees will bring even more diversity of experience and community interests to the leadership of our continuing transformation of the museum."

Streisand, a supporter of humanitarian and environmental causes and a funder of the Clinton Climate Change Initiative, collected German Expressionist art by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele and Emil Nolde as a young art enthusiast, the museum said. More recently, she has acquired works by John Singer Sargent, Robert Henri, William McGregor Paxton and others. Two pieces from her collection, Edward Hopper's "Summer in the City" and Thomas Hart's "Haying," were on long-term display in LACMA's American Art galleries.

On the net:

A Statement from Barbra

For Immediate Release:

In response to press inquiries concerning campaign contributions by Barbra Streisand relating to the 2008 presidential nomination process, Ms. Streisand has issued the following statement:

“I’m very excited about the strength of the Democratic field for the 2008 presidential election, and I’m looking forward to a lively and healthy primary debate that discusses the key issues facing this country. Because I want to see the frontrunners have the financial backing they need to be competitive during this process, I’ve decided to make the maximum allowable primary donation to Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama. As the conversation continues, I may make contributions to other candidates as well.”

Contact: Dick Guttman

The Streisand Foundation Continues To Award...

A few people have emailed in asking where to find information about where proceeds from the tour have been awarded to. Here is the list of schools/arts organizations that were awarded a grant from the tour proceeds.

Los Angeles
Rock the Classroom
Philadelphia
Strings for School
Ohio
Short Stop
New York
Erasmus High School
Washington DC
Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts
Boston
Boston Arts Academy
Minneapolis
St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists
Ft. Lauderdale
William Dandy Middle School
Atlanta
Mays High School
San Jose
City Arts and Technology High School in San Francisco
Chicago
Hirsch High School
Atlantic City
Sovereign Avenue School
Las Vegas
Gilbert Magnet School for Communication and the Creative Art
Phoenix
Herrera School for the Fine Arts and Dual Language

Thanks to the Streisand Foundation for this update.

NEW! Cover Art for Concert CD.

Coming March/April 2007 -- a 2 CD set of the recent tour.
+Pre-order this album.

Tentative Song Listing:

1 Overture
2 Starting Here, Starting Now
3 Down With Love
4 Way We Were, The
5 Ma Premiere Chanson
6 Evergreen - (with Il Divo)
7 Come Rain Or Come Shine
8 Funny Girl
9 Music That Makes Me Dance, The
10 My Man
11 People

CD 2:
1 Entr'acte
2 Music Of The Night, The - (with Il Divo)
3 Jason's Song/ Carefully Taught/ Children Will Listen
4 Unusual Way
5 What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
6 Happy Days Are Here Again
7 (Have I Stayed) Too Long At The Fair?
8 Time Of Your Life/ A Cockeyed Optimist, The
9 Somewhere - (with Il Divo)
10 My Shining Hour
11 Don't Rain On My Parade
12 Smile

What do you think of the Cover Art? Click comments below.
(No questions can be answered)

January Photo

Here's a rare photo for January.

Legendary Oscar Gowns Go On Display

Barbra's Infamous 1968 Transparent Scassi Gown is one of the dresses going on display at this years "A Celebration Of Oscar Fashion". The event is a private affair hosted by Laura Ziskin and Andre Leon Tally for invited guests, press, stylists and Academy members.

"There's no way anybody could have worn that other than Barbra Streisand...it was that moment in fashion."

Barbra makes Best Dressed List for 2006

Barbra has a mention in Mr. Blackwell's Best Dressed List for 2006. We presume the nod is for Barbra's tour outfits, as this was her only public appearance of 2006.

New Announcement

Barbra Fans will be in for a treat when a new announcement is made in February/March, sources tell us. No further updates at this point.

Something's coming... something good.

Streisand Foundation Update

Thanks to the Streisand Foundation for this update.

Hi Craig,

Since the tour wrapped a month or so ago, the Foundation has committed $1 million dollars to the Clinton Global Initiative. In addition, the Foundation has awarded $10,000 to arts and music programs in 14 inner-city schools in each of the US cities Barbra performed. There will be a matching $10,000 equipment donation by Sony, Ms. Streisand's record company, to follow as well.

Live CD Confusion

I've had so many emails from people confused over when the Streisand Live CD (from the recent tour) will be released. Some websites are saying February, while others are saying March. I spoke to Barbra's record label yesterday, and they said nothing has been confirmed. The confirmed release date will be forthcoming. I'll post it (along with track listing), as soon as I get it. You can pre-order the album here, and you'll receive an email when the CD is shipped.

As for the DVD from the show -- I have a feeling that it's a LONG way off yet. There's no official word on the release at present.

Happy New Year

Dear Barbra Fan,

Happy New Year to you ALL! Thanks for your support during 2006.

I hope to have some more Barbra News for you very soon.

Craig.

BarbraNews.com Feedback...

What do you think of the website? Feedback is always appreciated. Please click "Post A Comment" below -- and leave your message. Messages may not appear straight away. Others will also be able to see your comments.

Barbra's Million Dollar Baby Turns 40

On this day in 1966, Barbra's son, Jason Emmanuel Gould, was born at Mount Sinai Hospital. One newspaper declared "Million Dollar Baby" born. Barbra told the press shortly after "It's the only thing going to give me roots again". Jason Gould is Barbra's only child.

New Ad in USA Today

There is a full page ad in USA Todays Weekend edition Dec 29 from CPI thanking Barbra, Marty and us (the fans). The most acclaimed female artist of our time.

Playbill: Diva Talk (A great review)

Some of you may remember this from October -- but I thought it deserved another mention as Playbill.com reproduced it for their review of 2006.

In October I received an invitation that I will probably never be offered again: the chance to attend a Barbra Streisand dress rehearsal at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA. The afternoon performance was the first Streisand would give before launching her recent acclaimed concert tour, which was co-directed by the star and Richard Jay-Alexander. Streisand, who, at 64, remains a striking figure, began her concert with Richard Maltby and David Shire's "Starting Here, Starting Now," and I have to admit hearing the sound of her voice live — those lush, rich, golden, rounded tones that seem to magically pour out of her — was surprisingly moving.

There have been many singers throughout the years who, intentionally or not, have imitated her sound, but when hearing Streisand live, one quickly realizes there is no substitute for the real thing. One of the many things that struck me during the generous, three-hour concert was the warmth that Streisand exudes on stage. And, not only is she tremendously intelligent — evidenced in both her spoken word and her lyrical interpretations — she is also extremely funny, joking throughout the show, often at her own expense.

In an afternoon of one superb performance after another, my favorites included "The Way We Were" (there was a gentle hush as Streisand delivered the opening lines, and I suspect there was nary a dry eye as she finished the Marvin Hamlisch-Alan and Marilyn Bergman tune on a beautiful sustained, almost ethereal high note); the Funny Girl anthem "People" (the crowd jumped to its feet as Streisand's voice soared on the song's climax: "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world!"); a wonderful, poignant medley of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" and Sondheim's "Children Will Listen"; "Unusual Way" (Streisand's voice was perfectly suited to the beautiful Nine ballad, and her acting of the song was also impeccable. In fact, it made one long to hear what she could do with some of the more current theatre scores); and a particularly impressive rendition of "Have I Stayed Too Long at the Fair?"

Happy Holidays To You All

Dear all

Thank you all for your support over the past year, and beyond. It's been a great year for Barbra fans. New DVDs, box sets and of course the tour. We're confident that 2007 will be another great year. Don't forget to keep checking back daily/weekly for news.

Happy New Year to you all!

Craig

The BarbraNews.com Shop

Amazon has notified us that many Barbra products are reduced during their sale. New items include the NEW A Star Is Born DVD with deleted scenes, extra features, commentary from Barbra + more. Barbra's new video of Smile with Tony Bennett. You can also buy Barbra's Actors Studio Interview or her 1986 Concert 'One Voice', her Television Specials -- and LOTS more.

Click here if you're in the US
Click here if you're in Canada
Click here if you're in the UK/Europe.

Please note -- some items above are only available in the US / Canada -- but you can still order from the US website if you live outside the US / Canada.

Barbra Thanks Rosie

As some of you may know -- Rosie O'Donnell came to Barbra's rescue in October, when Barbra had to suddenly find somewhere to stay when her hotel room was cancelled because of building work. Rosie offered her Miami mansion to Barbra -- and Barbra gratefully accepted. Here is a thank you note which Barbra left for Rosie.
This is taken from Rosie.com/Flickr and belongs to Rosie O'Donnell (Visit her website at www.rosie.com to hear more about her great foundation, cruises, blog and more).

New Tour Album Delayed

According to sources, the new release date for the new Tour Album will be confirmed in January. Some online shops have changed the date to March 2007. We'll have a confirmed date here next month. Hopefully with cover art and track listing.

Barbra in Billboard Magazine

The Dec. 23 issue of Billboard has a new, full-page, color "Thank You, Barbra & Marty" ad re: The Tour, from Michael Cohl and CPI. In addition, she appears on the year-end Top 25 Boxscore chart 4 times (Madonna is #1 on the list), with another color pic of her accompanying an article on the Top 25 tours of '06. Also look for Barbra on related tour lists, including #7 on Top 25 tours; Rolling Stones are #1).

Streisand, Sony give $20,000 to Columbus youth program

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Barbra Streisand has left behind more than memories in the wake of her October concert at Value City Arena.Along with Sony, her record label, the singer recently donated $20,000 to the Short Stop program of Directions for Youth & Families in Columbus.The program seeks to create opportunities for growth and development among young people ages 7 to 19."It was truly a holiday present," said Steve Votaw, head of Directions for Youth, whose annual budget totaled $7.2 million in 2005.

Columbus marked the second stop on Streisand's fall concert tour, her first in 12 years.As a way of giving something back to the 14 U.S. cities she visited, Streisand joined Sony in making a donation to a needy school or organization providing arts education in each one."We asked for some recommendations from the Columbus Foundation and went on and did our own research, then made a decision with the Streisand family," said Rupa Balasubramanian, a program associate with the Streisand Foundation.Since the singer's foundation was created in 1986, it has awarded nearly $15 million in grants to various national organizations.Its urban funding has historically focused on programs in the Los Angeles area.

Her half of the donation will support programming, Votaw said, and the Sony half will cover "audiovisual equipment used in performances we do with our kids."Votaw, who struggled to believe the initial message from the Streisand Foundation informing him of the grant, cited "a lot of excitement at the office.""It was really neat."

Welcome

Hi everyone -- Welcome to the new look BarbraNews.com page. I hope you like the new look! Happy Holidays to you all -- and thanks for your support. 2007 is going to be another great Barbra year -- with some more surprises ;-)

New All About Barbra Magazine -- Shipping Now!

Issue 66 of All About Barbra Magazine will be available soon. Click here to view the website + ordering information.

New Barbra Video on DVD

Product Description

Tracks:

1."Smile" Barbra Streisand

2."Sing You Sinners" John Legend

3."Because Of You" k.d. lang and Chris Botti

4."The Best Is Yet To Come" Diana Krall

5."The Shadow Of Your Smile" Juanes

6."Rags To Riches" Elton John

7."Just In Time" Michael Buble

8."For Once In My Life" Stevie Wonder

9."Steppin' Out With My Baby" Christina Aguilera

10."I Left My Heart In San Francisco" Tony Bennett

Product Description:

TONY BENNETT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC is a ground-breaking television event that takes us on a musical journey of this legendary entertainer's life. Re-creating the venues of Tony's career, from the downtown Greenwich Village club where Tony was discovered, to the Columbia recording studios of the early 60's, from rat pack Las Vegas to Carnegie Hall, Tony will be joined for each show-stopping number by the myriad of superstars that appear with him on his Duets album. In a bold re-invention of the form, each set piece was filmed as a small movie by an Academy Award-winning team, lead by director Rob Marshall (Memoirs Of A Geisha, Chicago.) Seamlessly woven throughout the program will be introductions and narrative insights. This event invites us to celebrate the life of who Frank Sinatra called "the greatest singer ever." As the special ends, Tony Bennett will take the empty stage, this time alone, and deliver his signature classic, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco."

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A Star Is Born -- DVD Out Now (US/Can)

30 years later, still a love story that’s ageless and evergreen…
A Star Is Born
Academy Award® & Golden Globe® Award Winner
for Best Original Song “Evergreen”
First Time on DVD November 28
Bonus Features Include Streisand Commentary, Remastered Dolby Digital® 5.1 Soundtrack, Additional Scenes/Alternate Takes and Wardrobe Tests


Burbank, Calif., September 11, 2006 – The incomparable talent of the one and only Barbra Streisand, the magnetism of Kris Kristofferson and the reckless world of rock ‘n’ roll create a winning combination in A Star Is Born which celebrates its 30th Anniversary by making its debut on DVD November 28, following Ms. Streisand’s highly anticipated national concert tour, beginning October 4 and ends November 20, eight days prior to the DVD’s introduction. The deluxe presentation from Warner Home Video (WHV) of this 1976 box-office blockbuster based on the original screen love story includes an all-new audio commentary from Streisand (who not only starred in the film, but produced it as well), a remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, additional scenes and wardrobe tests, also with Streisand commentary. A Star Is Born may be purchased at $19.97 SRP/$14.95 MAP.

A Star Is Born was nominated for four Academy Awards® and won five Golden Globes®, including Best Picture, Actress, Actor and Original Score. Paul Williams, Kenny Loggins, Leon Russell and others worked with Streisand on the popular song score, topped by the Streisand/Williams hit “Evergreen” which won both the Oscar® and Golden Globe® as Best Original Song.

The story centers around rock star John Norman (Kristofferson) whose career has peaked. One night, after a concert, he stumbles into a club where he sees a singing group fronted by young singer Esther Hoffman (Streisand). The two quickly fall in love, although Esther has trouble with John's rock star lifestyle. One night, a typically burned-out John lets Esther sing a few songs at one of his shows and before long she's the talk of the record business. While Esther's star begins to rise, John's continues to sink, and while she desperately tries to help him clean up and focus on his music, it may be too late to save him.

The 1937 version of A Star Is Born, starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, captured seven Academy Award nominations and won one (Best Screenplay); the 1954 version, with Judy Garland and James Mason, was nominated for six Oscars.

A Star Is Born DVD Special Features include:
§ Commentary by Barbra Streisand
§ Wardrobe tests: with commentary by Barbra Streisand. Includes montage cut to the song “Queen Bee” from the original wardrobe tests.
§ Additional scenes with optional on/off commentary by Barbra Streisand
§ A Star Is Born trailer gallery
§ Soundtrack remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1

Now in its fifth decade, Barbra Streisand’s extraordinary career has earned her recognition and popularity as an actress, singer, director, producer and activist. A true Renaissance woman, Streisand has received two Oscars®, including one for Best Actress, eleven Golden Globes®, six Emmy® Awards, a Tony® Award, ten Grammy® Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute and others. Streisand also has achieved sales unequaled by any other female recording artist, and with 49 gold albums, she is second in the all-time charts, exceeded only by Elvis Presley.

Basics
Street Date: November 28, 2006
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Format: Widescreen
Color / Closed Captioned

A Star Is Born
$19.97 SRP / $14.95 MAP DVD
Rating: R
Run Time: 140 minutes

With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

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In Praise Of Marty -- New Barbra Byte

In Praise of Marty

by Allison J. Waldman

A funny thing happened while I was watching the new DVD release of “A Star Is Born.” I gained a new appreciation of Marty Erlichman. Don’t laugh – I’m serious. Its time to step back and evaluate the amazing job this man has done supporting, nurturing and enabling Barbra’s career for nearly five decades. The moment that brought Marty into focus for me was when Barbra pointed him out in “A Star Is Born.” Barbra’s commentary explained that Marty was playing a producer, a role he understood because he’d been a producer, and the behind the scenes look at the money men talking about the concert receipts while the artist is still on stage was likely a scene Marty had played in real life many times over. Then, almost casually, Barbra says, the moneymen only care about money, “But not my Marty.”

Wow! Doesn’t that say it all – “my Marty.” By using the possessive pronoun, Barbra reveals that Marty isn’t just anyone in her life; he’s her guy. Big brother, father confessor, loyal advocate, sage advisor, unflinching devotee, chief cook and protector extraordinaire – Martin Erlichman has been to Barbra Streisand just about the most important asset in her career.When Marty first entered Barbra’s life, she was truly a neophyte.

Barely out of school, struggling to make it as an actress while being wooed as a singer, an agent had already duped her. She was justifiably suspicious of the burly, young man who offered to be her personal manager. He convinced her of his sincerity by simply stating that he had no desire to change her; furthermore, he envisioned her future as grandly as she did. They shared the same dream. She would live it, he would facilitate it. Early on, Barbra realized that Marty wasn’t like other show biz handlers. She once said, “Others care about money; Marty cares about me.”It’s ironic that Barbra’s reference to Marty in “A Star Is Born” caught my attention because in reality, that was the film that caused a break in their relationship. For a while there, Jon Peters was acting as Barbra’s personal manager and Marty went off to work on other projects. You can read into that what you will. To me, I think it was a wise move by Marty.

He never lost touch with Barbra, but he let her live her life, and at that moment in time, Jon mattered most to her.Marty was back for “Yentl,” and everything since. He’s been hugely important in Barbra’s concert work, and he’s made sure to pave the way for whatever Barbra wants to do professionally. Reportedly, the only agreement between Barbra and Marty is a handshake. I don’t know if I believe they’ve never formalized their business with a contract, and if they haven’t, more power to them. Clearly, whatever the vibe, however they work it, somehow it’s been beyond successful. It’s funny -- I always knew Barbra had great talent when it came to entertaining. Now, I know she has a great talent for people, too.

BarbraNews.com Talks To The Streisand Foundation

BarbraNews.com recently spoke to Margery Tabankin of The Streisand Foundation. Read the interview here.

Barbra's Tour Breaks Records

November 27, 2006, 11:15 AM ET

Ray Waddell, Nashville

Despite talk in the early going of slow ticket sales, Barbra Streisand's first live performances in six years put up record-setting box office numbers. The 20 concerts grossed $92,457,062 and set house gross records in 14 of the 16 arenas played on the tour.In the other two arenas, Madison Square Garden in New York and the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, she already holds the building record, according to tour producer CPI. Streisand now has the top three grosses in the Garden and the top two at the MGM.Tour producer Michael Cohl had predicted as much earlier, scoffing at industry scuttlebutt that the tour was not performing up to par at the box office. Now that the trek is done, Cohl is happy. "I say 'nay' to the naysayers," he tells Billboard.com. "That was probably one of the most satisfying parts of the whole thing. But the most satisfying part for me was how amazing the show was. I watched every night and I loved it. I'd never seen her in concert and she was sensational."Cohl does not rule out more dates by Streisand in 2007. "We're talking about it," he says. "From the stage in Los Angeles she said that she's thinking of going to Europe and the Far East, so here's hoping it happens."
2006 has been a huge year for Cohl and his CPI team. CPI also helmed the Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang tour, which broke the all-time tour record this year at about $437 million, and the $28 million tour by the Who. "It was the most amazing year of my life, let's face it," he says. "It was a busy a year. But I had sat around and done very little hanging out in Florida for over a year, trying to figure out what to do and whether or not to do it. And as soon as the Stones decided they were going to work, then I was going to go back to work, so you may as well go at it whole hog. So I did."

BarbraNews Attends Final 2 Stops On Tour

Craig Hall (BarbraNews.com) flew from the UK to the LA / Vegas to attend the final two stops on Barbra's National Tour. Read all about the experience here.

Barbra's National Tour Comes To An End

Barbra performed in Los Angeles last night -- the final stop on her National Tour. BarbraNews.com was there! What a show. You can read all about the tour here, in our recap.

Older News.

For all earlier news -- click here for the old website