A Reminder...

Hey guys --

Hope you're all well.

As I'm working on Barbra's official website -- this website isn't get updated frequently.

Check out the NEW official Barbra Streisand website at www.barbrastreisand.com (You can even listen to SONG CLIPS from the new album.

Also -- follow official updates at www.facebook.com/barbrastreisand.

Barbra To Perform At The Village Vanguard, NY.

In what promises to be a once-in-a lifetime thrill for a hundred of her luckiest fans, Barbra Streisand will celebrate the release of Love Is The Answer---her new album of jazz standards and classics--- by singing a selection of these songs at New York’s legendary Village Vanguard on Saturday, September 26, where she last performed in 1961 as the opening act for Miles Davis.

Free tickets to this history-making experience will be made available only to fans who either pre-order the new CD or register an entry blank free of charge. Full details and rules can be found on barbrastreisand.com.

Soon after her performance at the Vanguard some 48 years ago, Streisand began to build a reputation in Greenwich Village as an extraordinary newcomer on the scene, a not-to-be-missed star on the rise singing in clubs like The Lion and The Bon Soir. With its astounding acoustics and intimate vibe, The Village Vanguard--an epicenter of the New York jazz scene since an all-jazz policy was implemented in 1957-- was, and is one of the most renowned musical venues throughout the world.

Cover Art Revealed For New Album!

I'm sure you'll all agree -- STUNNING!

BarbraStreisand.com Relaunched

Barbra's official website has been relaunched!!

http://www.barbrastreisand.com for more!

Track Listing for New Album

Click here to PRE-ORDER the new album (deluxe version).

The complete track listing for Love Is The Answer will feature:

1. "Here's To Life" (Artie Butler/Phyllis Molinary)
2. "In The Wee Small Hours" (Bob Hilliard/David Mann)
3. "Gentle Rain" (Luiz Bonfa/Matt Dubey)
4. "If You Go Away" (Jacques Brel/Rod McKuen)
5. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" (Tommy Wolf/Fran Landesman)
6. "Make Someone Happy" (Jule Styne/Betty Comden/Adolph Green)
7. "Where Do You Start?"(Johnny Mandel/Alan Bergman/Marilyn Bergman)
8. "A Time For Love" (Johnny Mandel/Paul Francis Webster)
9. "Here's That Rainy Day" (Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen)
10. "Love Dance" (Ivan Lins/Gilson Peranzzetta with English lyrics by Paul Williams)
11. "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (Jerome Kern/Otto Harbach)
12. "Some Other Time" (Leonard Bernstein/Betty Comden/Adolph Green)
13. Bonus Track - "You Must Believe In Spring" (Michel Legrand/Alan & Marilyn Bergman)

The deluxe package includes the following bonus disc:


(Vocal With Quartet)

1. "Here's To Life" (Artie Butler/Phyllis Molinary)
2. "In The Wee Small Hours" (Bob Hilliard/David Mann)
3. "Gentle Rain" (Luiz Bonfa/Matt Dubey)
4. "If You Go Away" (Jacques Brel/Rod McKuen)
5. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most" (Tommy Wolf/Fran Landesman)
6. "Make Someone Happy" (Jule Styne/Betty Comden/Adolph Green)
7. "Where Do You Start?"(Johnny Mandel/Alan Bergman/Marilyn Bergman)
8. "A Time For Love" (Johnny Mandel/Paul Francis Webster)
9. "Here's That Rainy Day" (Johnny Burke/Jimmy Van Heusen)
10. "Love Dance" (Ivan Lins/Gilson Peranzzetta with English lyrics by Paul Williams)
11. "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (Jerome Kern/Otto Harbach)
12. "Some Other Time" (Leonard Bernstein/Betty Comden/Adolph Green)

Click here to read the full press release // Click here to PRE-ORDER the new album (deluxe version).

Love Is The Answer - The NEW album...

Most of you know that Barbra's new album will be released at the end of September 2009. New updates will be posted at http://www.barbrastreisand.com/ -- and also on the official Streisand Facebook page - www.facebook.com/barbrastreisand. More updates coming next week.

Amazon are now accepting pre-orders for the NEW deluxe package which will include 2 CDs (more information on this exciting package soon). You can pre-order the album NOW -- and receive a discount + free shipping.

Click here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DYJAIO?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B002DYJAIO

Oil Painting For Sale.

Dear Barbra Fans...

A fantastic oil painting is currently up for auction... and I've been asked to let the Barbra fans know.

Check it out here:

http://barbranews.com/oilpaintingsale.htm

News soon....

.... all is quiet on the Barbra front at the moment. We're expecting more updates into July....

Don't forget -- keep checking BarbraStreisand.com for OFFICIAL updates (I'm working on Barbra's official website... and updates will appear there FIRST!).

You can also follow updates on Facebook (www.facebook.com/barbrastreisand) and MySpace (www.myspace.com/barbrastreisand).

New Studio Album coming September 2009.

Barbra's new studio album coming September 2009. Press release added to Barbra's official website.

Click:

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/index.php?page=news&n_id=1258

Official Barbra Websites

Here's a couple of websites for your bookmarks...

These websites are official, and we recommend you sign up to them -- for official updates.

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/ -- The official website.
www.facebook.com/barbrastreisand -- The official Barbra Streisand Facebook Page (Click 'Become A Fan' on the page for frequent updates).
www.myspace.com/barbrastreisand -- The official MySpace page
www.youtube.com/barbrastreisand -- The official YouTube channel. More videos will be added soon.
Twitter -- coming soon.

New Barbra Video

Click here to view new video of Barbra from last month. Barbra talks about Marilyn and Alan Bergman. She also gives a tidbit about one of her 'next' albums...

Streisand writing about house, pondering memoir

By HILLEL ITALIE – May 27, 2009

NEW YORK (AP) — Barbra Streisand has finished building her dream house and started to think about her life.

The singer, director and actress has reached an agreement with Viking for "A Passion for Design," an illustrated book scheduled for fall 2010 that includes photos of the Malibu, Calif., oceanfront compound she worked on for more than five years, and of other residences, back to her early years in New York.

In writing about where she lives (the book is expected to have up to 50,000 words of text), she has been writing about herself "because I'm spurred on by the writing process," Streisand said Wednesday during a brief telephone interview with The Associated Press.
Long reluctant to discuss her private life, the 67-year-old Streisand said she has been working on chapters, in longhand, for a separate book. But she hasn't made up her mind whether she will complete the memoir and publish it.

"I go back and forth," said Streisand, who has received numerous show business honors, including Academy Awards, Grammys and Emmys. "Do I really want to write about my life? Do I really want to relive my life? I'm not sure."

But she is deeply committed to her current project, calling it the culmination of a lifelong passion for American architecture and design. She spoke of visiting landmarks around the country, from the Monticello estate of Thomas Jefferson in Virginia to Edith Wharton's house in Lenox, Mass. — The Mount, which Streisand explored with camera and tape measure.

She sees the book as answering questions she has often asked herself: Why is she so fascinated by furniture, gardens and how homes are constructed? Why was she buying antique clothing as a teenager? Why, in the basement of her new house, did she reproduce a city street? Why did she even write a script about her home?

"As a filmmaker even, I got very involved in set production and design and colors," said Streisand, a known perfectionist whose directing credits include "Yentl" and "The Prince of Tides."

The deal with Viking, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), was negotiated by Robert Barnett, better known as the literary representative for political leaders, including President Obama and former President George W. Bush. Barnett says he met Streisand through mutual friends and Barnett clients — former President Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Financial terms were not disclosed. Viking President Clare Ferraro, who declined to say how much the publisher paid, said she visited Streisand's home in April, a planned two-hour stop that lasted 4 1/2 hours and didn't begin to cover all that Streisand had done.

"Everything is perfect, down to the flowers, to the metal plates on the doorknobs," Ferraro said. "I remember her living room. The color scheme was in pink and burgundy and green and if you looked out the window you saw there were roses in the same color. And throughout the house, the outside matched what was inside.

"It's just breathtaking, her whole house. I went home and ripped the flower bed out of my porch because the flowers didn't match my porch furniture."

Ferraro said Streisand will "get pretty personal" in the book, saying that she likely will offer childhood experiences and stories about her career. "She discovers a lot about herself through her passion for design and fashion," Ferraro said.

Married to actor James Brolin, her second husband, Streisand said she wants to get back into filmmaking after setting her career aside to work on her house. She is hoping to obtain rights to Larry Kramer's play "A Normal Heart," a story she has been interested in for years, and has recruited some "interesting cast members" whom she declined to identify.

"This house has taken a lot out of me," she said. "It was a project. Instead of directing a movie, I built a house. And it's so much more complex than doing a movie."

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Jon Peters Pulls Book

According to reports, Jon Peters will not be releasing his explosive tell all biography. Fantastic news we say!

Barbra responds to Jon Peters Reports...

Truth About The Book.

Just for the record... the claims and statements attributed to me in Jon Peter’s book proposal are either completely distorted or simply untrue.

Streisand 3-DVD Set Debuts at #1

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/index.php?page=news&n_id=1227

New Streisand DVD Set #1 on Amazon.com!

You may be pleased to know that the concert DVD set has rocketed to Number One on Amazon.com today!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VB8UAE?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001VB8UAE

Also -- the CD version (Columbia Records 2007) has shot into the top ten in numerous categories on Amazon. Not bad for a 2 year old album!

New Barbra Video

Barbra talks about the new concert DVD...

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/index.php?page=news&n_id=1218

Wish Barbra A Happy Birthday

Click on the following link for more:

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/index.php?page=news&n_id=1217

Craig

Diana Krall talks Barbra...

As most of you will know, Barbra has recently been working on her new album with Diana Krall.

Well, Diana has just released her new album, and has been doing a lot of press.

Here's some quotes that I've grabbed from various sources. Please note, some of these quotes contain spoilers about the songs that Barbra has recorded.

Canwest News Service:

"We were two very headstrong artists who didn't always agree, but after the disagreement, we'd laugh and play cards," Krall says. "There is that challenge -- you find a middle ground that works for both of you."

Reuters:

Ahead of the release of Quiet Nights, Krall had been working on producing an album of standards for singing legend Streisand and playing piano on some of the record's tracks."She's directed and she's a very, very strong woman," she said of Streisand. "You want to give her something that is what she wants, but also a little different. But that's probably why she called me."

CNN:

CNN: You've been producing Barbara Streisand's new album. What has that been like?

Krall: Incredible. I just am so thrilled with her performance on this album. [She gives] one of the most incredible performances I think of her career on a song called "You Must Believe in Spring" with a great pianist from New York named Phil Charlap. It's just piano and voice and it's so incredibly stunning. She said to me, "Maybe it needs some strings or something." I said "Don't touch it! Just leave it! It's gorgeous!"It's been great working artist to artist and we had a lot of fun. We played cards. So when there were moments in the studio where there was something technical that had to be fixed, we'd deal the cards and we'd play gin rummy, which I'm lousy at. Thank goodness.

CNN: This is the first album you've produced for another artist. Way to choose somebody really small to start off with.

Krall: She chose me! I had a few phone calls and it was a little daunting, but it was a great experience and really, really intense, as you would expect it to be.

Winnipeg Sun:

Diana Krall found herself not only producing Barbra Streisand's new album from last November until this February but also playing piano on the disc which still doesn't have a title or release date.

The two women met ten years ago and when the Nanaimo, B.C., singer became pregnant more recently (her twins are now two and a half years old), Streisand called to say she was getting ready to tour again and needed "some songs to be inspired by."

"And so I sent her some CDs and sent her some music and her manager and her main guy from Columbia, Jay Landers, I think encouraged her and called my management a couple of times," said Krall. "And then we had a meeting about it. And I said, 'Are you interested in doing a record the way I make records? Because this is the only way I know how to make records is we do it pretty much live.' And she was like, 'Yeah, absolutely.' "

Krall said they started listening to music together at Streisand's house and Barbra -- who is a fan of such jazz greats as Shirley Horn and Nancy Wilson -- wound up recording songs like Here's to Life, Where do You Start, Love Dance, and You Must Believe in Spring.

"She did a couple of songs just with piano which I think are just brilliant. And my job is to make sure she's happy and comfortable and inspired in what she's doing. That I'm not taking her out of something that's so far from (her) reality. I'm trying to just like strip things down a little bit."

And while Streisand lived up to her reputation -- "she is tough, she is a perfectionist, all true," said Krall -- the two women had a grand time together both in and out of the studio.

"One of my favourite moments with her was when we played cards," said Krall. "We playing gin rummy together in the studio. We had been planning on playing cards at her house but so far we've watched movies there and things like that."

Still, it seems a shame that they never wound up recording a duet together.

"We were planning on a duet, we were trying to find the right tune, and our schedules are so insane that I don't know when we can find a moment to do that, if we can, then we will, but I don't think it's necessary. I think it's her album. I don't have to be singing on it. And I know some people will say, 'Well, that's not right.' But it's a beautiful album and it's about her."

USA Today:

"This is someone who has done everything," Krall says. "So being in the producer's chair, I really had to make sure that I could give her something a little different." Krall describes the resulting disc, expected later this year, as "a really honest, beautiful record, with a very organic feel. There's one song with just a piano and her voice that is absolutely stunning."
Streisand and Krall also bonded "as two women working together. She loves architecture and design, and we'd talk about that, and about our experiences. We were girly-girls, too, talking about clothes, telling funny stories. And we played cards! So if there was ever a technical problem, we'd break out a deck and play hands of rummy."

Chatelaine:

M: You’ve also recently worked with Barbra Streisand. [Krall is producing Streisand’s new album, due later this year. The relationship between the two women formed in 2006, when Krall was pregnant and Streisand “came to some of my gigs and mentioned that she needed inspiration for her tour,” says Krall. “So I started sending her CDs.”] What can we expect from the final result?

D: It’s a really beautiful record. We’ve chosen different songs for her, a combination of standards and bossa nova, plus some very challenging adult songs and she’s really passionate about them. She worked so hard. We wanted to find songs that were art-meets-commercial, that mean something to her, that tell a story about a woman who is her age, and I think that was accomplished. It’s been quite an extraordinary thing to be part of, and I’m learning a lot.

M: Do you sing with her on this?

D: No. We couldn’t find the right tune and we’re still thinking of that, trying to find the right one.

Press Release -- Streisand The Concerts

Press Release -- Streisand The Concerts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BARBRA STREISAND 3-DISC DVD SET- Streisand The Concerts
AVAILABLE APRIL 28TH

Includes Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Footage, Unforgettable Performances and Bonus Features

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift to Make Any Mom Sing with Delight

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THIS EXCITING SET

STREISAND: LIVE IN CONCERT Airing Saturday, April 25 on CBS, Fans will get an All-Access Pass to One of Barbra’s Most Memorable Performances from Streisand The Concerts
(NEW YORK) - (April 8, 2009) – Barbra Streisand is world renowned for thrilling audiences with her magical performances, her supreme vocal talent and setting box office records. Now fans can get front row seats to the best of Barbra Streisand captured in Streisand The Concerts, a new 3-disc DVD showcasing some of her most memorable concerts, special exclusives including 17 songs never-before released on DVD and behind-the-scenes moments with one of the most beloved artists of all time.

This highly anticipated triple-DVD set will be released in the U.S. on April 28 through Hip-O/Universal Music Enterprises arriving just in time to be shared with loved ones on Mother’s Day.

Streisand The Concerts shot to the top of the UK charts to become the #1 selling music DVD just days after its release on March 16. In celebration of its U.S. release, STREISAND: LIVE IN CONCERT will air as a one-hour special on CBS, Saturday, April 25 (8:00-9:00 pm ET/PT) to bring fans one of Barbra’s most celebrated concerts on her 2006 North American tour. The 3-Disc DVD set offers fans an all access pass to two of her most memorable concerts in their entirety.

Disc #1 captures the record-breaking, 2006 North American tour from the sold-out Ft. Lauderdale show, with special guest multi-platinum recording artist, Il Divo. Fans will get a chance to experience 10 songs never-before-seen on DVD, including "Unusual Way," "A Cockeyed Optimist," "When The Sun Comes Out" and "My Shining Hour," all of which are the first time Streisand has ever performed them either in the studio or live. Bonus features include five additional songs as well as interviews with the behind-the-scenes team who create and execute this musical and visually explosive experience.

Disc #2 allows fans to experience the unforgettable 1994 concert Live at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA that documents the magic of her first concert tour in 27 years. For the first time on DVD, this special concert includes the first-ever live performance of "Lazy Afternoon" and the "Yentl Medley."

Throughout her career critics have been unanimous in their praise for Streisand making this DVD a remarkable compilation. Her 2006 world tour garnered rave reviews across the nation."Streisand has never sounded better!

She’s astounding!" - The New York Times"

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

"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 Sentine

l"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

"Sensational! A brilliant show! A major musical triumph!" – Rolling Stone

Disc #3, "Putting It Together: The Making of the Broadway Album," is the perfect supplement to the DVD set's presentation of the two great Streisand concerts of the past 15 years. With video and vintage performance footage from the ’60s and ’70s never before seen on DVD, disc #3 captures the most sensational recording and concert career of all time. The disc, which book-ends the fabled stylist in her growth over a nearly half century span, showcases the electric voice and personality that instantly shot her to stardom beginning in the 1960s and solidified her unchallenged supremacy among female performing artists. Bonus features include video performances from Streisand’s Emmy award winning television specials including "People" from My Name Is Barbra 1965 , "Yesterdays" from Color Me Barbra 1966, "I’m Always Chasing Rainbows" from The Belle of 14th Street 1967, "Silent Night (Sleep In Heavenly Peace) from A Happening In Central Park 1968 and "Cryin’ Time (with Ray Charles)" from Barbra Streisand…And Other Musical Instruments 1973.

Disc #3 is jam-packed with exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage including the making of the award winning, number #1 album The Broadway Album and video clips from her childhood, extensive one-on-one interviews and a montage of the numerous awards she’s received throughout the years. Streisand The Concerts is an extraordinary collection of the very best moments and highlights from Barbra Streisand’s legendary career and includes more than 60 songs spanning classics such as "Funny Girl," "The Way We Were," and "People," as well as never before performed "The Music of the Night," and "Somewhere" with Il Divo.

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 album-selling female recording artist ever, with 29 having achieved top ten status. 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. Streisand The Concerts is distributed worldwide by Live Nation and S2BN Entertainment.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER THIS EXCITING SET

“Yentl” To Kick Off Stanley Kramer Theatre / Sunset Studios “Films That Changed The World” Screening Series

For Immediate Release:

Barbra Streisand’s initial directorial effort, “Yentl,” has been selected as the first motion picture to be honored in a screening series to be dedicated to “Films That Changed The World,” it was announced by series creator, Kat Kramer, of behalf of the Stanley Kramer Theatre and Sunset – Gower Studios. “The history-making film, first major studio production ever produced, directed and co-written by it’s female star, shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling like no other film ever did. It is the perfect example of what this screening series is designed to celebrate,” Kramer stated, who is carrying on the legacy of her socially-conscious father.

The series will kick off with a special showing of the Streisand film on the afternoon of Saturday April 18 at the newly renovated Stanley Kramer Theatre on the Sunset Gower lot. Guest speaker will be Marilyn Bergman, Streisand’s longtime friend and Academy-Award-winning lyricist for “Yentl” together with her husband Alan Bergman. Bergman will address the obstacles Streisand had to overcome to make “Yentl,” a film for which the star won Golden Globes for both Best director and as Producer of the Best Film, and which earned five Oscar nominations.

The afternoon festivities, to be attended by an exclusive invitational list of top female achievers in film, and leading activists in causes relating to the rights and well-being of women, will begin with a 2 p.m. tea party, Bergman’s keynote speech, and discussion of how the Streisand film has impacted feminist causes.

Representatives from the ENOUGH Project and RAISE HOPE FOR CONGO to Protect and Empower Congo’s Women campaign will be in attendance. A board of Director’s for the new screening series is currently being formed.

“Yentl,” a romantic drama with music, is about a courageous woman who refuses to accept societal limitations, celebrating women trying to fulfill their capabilities, not allowing traditional restrictions to deter them. The film has just been released by Fox home Entertainment in a two disc edition celebrating the motion pictures 25th anniversary and including the widescreen theatrical cut, the director’s extended cut, and special features from Ms. Streisand’s personal achieves, including songs and scenes not comprehended in the final film as well as an introduction and commentary by her.

Barbra Remains At The Top

Barbra Streisand - The Concerts DVD Set remained at the Number One position on the UK DVD Music Charts today. The set, which was released on March 16th 2009 went straight to Number One in week one, and has stayed there for a 2nd week.

The special DVD set contains Barbra's record breaking 2006 Concert Show, recorded in Fort Lauderdale, and also Barbra's 1994 Anaheim Show, the closing night of her 1994 US Tour -- her first tour in 27 years. Putting It Together - The Making Of The Broadway Album is also included... a rare behind the scenes look at the making of her 1985 album.The set will be released in the US at a later date.

Barbra To Star In Meet The Little Fockers?

Let's put this under 'rumor' for now...

The entire starring cast of Meet The Fockers will regroup for a sequel, Little Fockers , set to begin production in July, according to FoxNews.com entertainment columnist Roger Friedman. Friedman, who cited no sources, said that Blythe Danner, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Teri Polo, Ben Stiller, Barbra Streisand, and Owen Wilson had all been lined up to play their original roles. However, Peter Segal is expected to replace Jay Roach, who is working on another film, as director. Friedman observed "The title suggests more than one baby for Stiller and Polo's characters. So get ready possibly for twins, which also means DeNiro and Hoffman may have extra screen time as warring grandfathers." -- Various online news sites.

Streisand - The Concerts DVD Set

Barbra Streisand -- The Concerts DVD Set, which was released last Monday (16 March) in the UK has debuted at Number One on the UK DVD Music Charts, knocking 'Stevie Wonder - Live At Last' from the Top Spot.The DVD set will be released in the US / Canada at a later date.

Twitter.com/barbranews

Just a quick note to let you all know that I'm 'twittering'...

You can follow my Barbra-thoughts here:

http://twitter.com/barbranews

Streisand - The Concerts DVD Set (US / Canada).

There seems to be some confusion regarding the US release of the 2006 Concert DVD (along with 1994 Anaheim and 1985 Putting It Together).

This set has not been announced in the US / Canada -- and there is currently NO release date. Many of you pre-ordered using a link on Amazon.com (which linked to the Sony version of the DVD set). Sony are no longer releasing the DVD, which is why the page was removed from Amazon. (I'd recommend you currently ignore any tentative release dates that are on Amazon as these keep changing).

So far, the DVD set has only been released in Europe (and shot straight to Number One on the UK DVD Chart). It looks like the DVD will be released in the USA / Canada in May, but nothing has been confirmed.

As soon as a confirmed date has been set for USA / Canada -- I will email you all -- along with a pre-order link.

New Barbra Interview

Amazon have put up a new telephone interview with Barbra on the 2 Disc Yentl DVD Set Page.

Here is the link...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P5HI4A?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001P5HI4A

Barbra at #1 in the UK

BarbraNews has learned that BARBRA STREISAND - The Concerts DVD Box Set is currently
Number One on the UK Midweek Chart Music DVD Chart* in the UK.

This special DVD set was released on Monday (16th March) in the UK.

Let's hope the DVD stays at the top for the official chart on Sunday. BarbraNews will update you.
The DVD set should be released in the US by May. There is no confirmed date at present.

*Midweek chart information is exclusively for the music industry to track how their sales are going that particular week.

CORRECTION

Dear Barbra Fans...

We sent you a press release, yesterday -- with regards to the new Concert DVD coming out in the UK on Monday.

There was an error in the press release. The following segments are NOT going to be on the DVD.

2. Hail to The Chief 3. Side By Side (rehearsal) & Side By Side (show)

Sorry for any confusion caused.

The Wait Is Nearly Over

BARBRA STREISAND 3-DISC DVD SET- Streisand The Concerts IS TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 16th

Includes Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Footage, Unforgettable Performances and Bonus Features making this the Ultimate Mothers Day Gift

Barbra Streisand is world renowned for thrilling audiences with her magical performances, her supreme vocal talent and setting box office records. Now fans can get front row seats to the best of Barbra Streisand captured in Streisand The Concerts, a new 3-disc DVD showcasing some of her most memorable concerts, special exclusives including 17 tracks never-before released on DVD and behind-the-scenes moments with one of the most beloved artists of all time. This highly anticipated triple-DVD set will be released on March 16th through Universal arriving just in time for Mother's Day.

The 3-Disc DVD set offers fans an all access pass to two of her most memorable concerts in their entirety.

Disc #1- captures the record-breaking 2006 North American tour from the sold-out Ft. Lauderdale show, with special guest multi-platinum recording artist, IL Divo. Fans will get a chance to see nine songs never-before-seen on DVD, including "Unusual Way," "A Cockeyed Optimist" and "My Shining Hour," all of which are the first time Streisand has ever performed them either in the studio or live. Bonus features include six additional songs as well as interviews with the behind-the-scenes team who create and execute this musical and visually unique experience.

Disc #2- 1993 concert Live at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA that documents the magic of her first concert tour in 28 years. For the first time on DVD, this special concert includes the first-ever live performance of "Lazy Afternoon" and "Yentl Medley." Disc #3- Putting It Together: The Making of the Broadway Album gives fans the ultimate insider's look at Streisand like you've never seen her before. Included in the DVD is vintage performance footage from the '60s and '70s, video clips from her childhood, extensive one-on-one interviews and a montage of the numerous awards she's received throughout the years. Bonus features include video performances of hits such as "Yesterdays" from Color Me Barbra 1966, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" from The Belle of 14th Street 1967 and "Cryin' Time (with Ray Charles)" from Barbra Streisand…And Other Musical Instruments 1973. Disc #3, Putting It Together, is jam-packed with exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage including the making of the Broadway album with guest appearances from Sydney Pollack, David Geffen and Ken Silk.

Streisand The Concerts is an extraordinary collection of the very best moments and highlights from Barbra Streisand's legendary career and includes more than 60 songs spanning classics such as "Funny Girl," "The Way We Were," and "People," as well as never before recorded "The Music of the Night," and "Somewhere" with Il Divo.

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. Streisand The Concerts is distributed worldwide by Live Nation and S2BN Entertainment.

Disc #1 Fort Lauderdale/October 2006 Act I 1. Funny Girl Overture (Original Broadway Version) 2. Starting Here, Starting Now 3. Down With Love 4. The Way We Were 5. Ma Premiere Chanson 6. Evergreen (w/ Il Divo) 7. My Way (Il Divo) 8. Come Rain or Come Shine 9. Funny Girl 10. The Music That Makes Me Dance 11. My Man 12. People Act II

13. The Music Of The Night (w/ Il Divo) 14. Jason Theme 15. Carefully Taught/Children Will Listen 16. Unusual Way 17. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life 18. Stoney End 19. Happy Days Are Here Again 20. (Have I Stayed) Too Long At The Fair? 21. The Time Of Your Life 22. A Cockeyed Optimist 23. Somewhere (w/ Il Divo) 24. My Shining Hour 25. Don't Rain On My Parade 26. Smile

Bonus Features: 1. Nobody's Heart (Belongs to Me) & When The Sun Comes Out 2. Hail to The Chief 3. Side By Side (rehearsal) & Side By Side (show) 4. The Woman In The Moon 5. Senza Catene (Il Divo) 6. Regressa A Mi (Il Divo) 7. Interview - The People Behind The Scenes 8. Interview - The Streisand Foundation

Disc #2 Live at Arrowhead Pond/July 1993

1. Overture 2. As If We Never Said GoodBye 3. I'm Still Here/Everybody Says Don't/Don't Rain On My Parade 4. Can't Help Lovin' That Man 5. I'll Know 6. People 7. Lover Man 8. First Therapist Scene 9. Will He Like Me? 10. Second Therapist Scene 11. He Touched Me 12. Evergreen 13. Third Therapist Scene 14. The Man That Got Away 15. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) 16. Entr'Acte 17. The Way We Were 18. You Don't Bring Me Flowers 19. Lazy Afternoon 20. Not While I'm Around 21. Ordinary Miracles 22. Yentl Medley: Where Is It Written?/ Papa Can You Hear Me?/Will Someone Ever Look At Me That Way?/ A Piece Of Sky 23. Happy Days Are Here Again 24. My Man 25. For All We Know 26. Somewhere

Disc #3 Putting It Together -- The Making of The Broadway Album TV 1. Opening 2. Something's Coming 3. Putting It Together 4. Can't Help Lovin' That Man 5. If I Loved You 6. Send In The Clowns 7. Somewhere

Bonus Songs 1. People (from My Name is Barbra 1965)2. Yesterday (from Color Me Barbra 1966)3. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows (from The Belle of 14th Street 1967)4. Silent Night (from A Happening in Central Park 1968)5. Cryin' Time with Ray Charles (from Barbra Streisand…And Other Musical Instruments 1973) =============================

3 DVD Set Order Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001SF8FM6?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewscom-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B001SF8FM6

Blu-Ray Disc Link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001SF8FLW?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewscom-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=1634&creativeASIN=B001SF8FLW

Barbra Concerts Pre-ordering

Barbra Fans! You can now pre-order the 2006 Concert DVD!!!

To pre-order the 3 DVD set of:

2006 Concert
1994 Anaheim
1985 Putting it Together

Use this link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TD1XR6?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001TD1XR6

If you'd also like to pre-order the BLU-RAY version of the 2006 Concert (you must have a blu-ray DVD player) - please use this link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TD1XQW?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001TD1XQW

Using the above link will currently get you a 30% discount with Amazon. If they decide to put the prices up, you will be guaranteed the price you pre-order at. If they drop the price, you will get it at the lower price.

Exciting 3 DVD Box Set Coming!

BarbraNews can reveal that an exciting 3-DVD box will be released in the very near future. Some websites are reporting the set will be released in the UK next month... (no information on a US date yet).
-- 2006 Concert DVD (FINALLY!)
-- 1994 Anaheim Concert DVD (Her FINEST live concert in my eyes...)
-- 1985 Putting It Together - Making of the Broadway Album.

I'll have more information very soon!!

Critics Rave About Yentl DVD...

Huffington Post:

BARBRA TAKES CHARGE -- Streisand had a triumphant film directorial debut with the unlikely Yentl ($29.99; MGM), the modest Isaac Bashevis Singer short story turned into a musical starring Streisand as a girl who dresses as a boy so she can go to yeshiva and study. A perfectionist, it's no surprise to see Streisand has delivered a new cut about three minutes longer. But happily she also includes the original theatrical version, as well as an audio commentary and a second disc loaded with extras. Being in charge suits her.

Liz Smith:

The new DVD looks deluxe, bordered in gold, with – natch – a beautiful close-up of Barbra on the cover. This is “The Two-Disc Director’s Extended Edition.”

Here’s what you get: Two versions of the movie … rehearsal footage … deleted scenes (from the private collection of Miss Streisand) … Barbra’s 8mm concept film with optional narration and a feature-length audio commentary track by Barbra and co-producer Rusty Lemorande. In short, a Barbra cornucopia!

As the star’s fans were quick to note at the time, “You gotta be mental not to love ‘Yentl.’”

Mike Clark...USA Today "Platinum Picks" 2/06/09:

"In a famed Oscar snub, neither the picture nor the director Barbra Streisand got nominations, even after Golden Globe wins. But at mimimum, the musical of Isaac Bashevis Singer's Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy cuts The Dresser and Tender Mercies, both '83 nominees.
In perhaps her most engaging performance this side of Funny Girl, Streisand don 1904 male disguise........All well directed, too.
Extras....instructive rehearsal footage...impressive "concept reel", a charming cast/crew thank-you."

Streisand talks 'Yentl,' new CD and politics

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY

NEW YORK (AP) — Barbra Streisand remembers the buzz generated before she started filming the musical "Yentl," and it wasn't particularly good.

Despite her superstar status and two Oscars (one best actress trophy, another for composing) she recalls hearing negative comments about whether she could pull off the Herculean task of starring, directing, co-writing and producing the period piece about a Jewish woman who disguises herself as a man to pursue an education.

"Women being actresses, somehow, in certain people's minds, in executives' minds, it's a frivolous job," she said in phone interview. "When you start to handle millions of dollars and production, that probably scared them."

The movie's success should have allayed those fears — "Yentl" garnered Oscar nominations and two Golden Globes. Now, 25 years later, the 66-year-old Streisand is reminiscing about what it took to get the movie made in this week's DVD release. The two-disc set comes with special features like rehearsal scenes and Streisand's commentary.

It's not the only project Streisand is working on these days. She's finishing an upcoming CD being produced by best-selling jazz singer Diana Krall, and she regularly keeps busy with her Web site, which includes the liberal Democrat's musings on politics.

The Associated Press: What was the most challenging part of making "Yentl"?

Streisand: I think it was just getting it made, selling it in America. Because once I came to England, things were really wonderful. They had no fear of a woman being in a powerful position because they had a queen and the prime minister was Margaret Thatcher. Being a woman director there didn't seem to scare them. They were the most supportive, helpful, wonderful group of people. I'm very grateful for that. It wasn't until I came back to America it was an odd thing, directing this movie, before I started and after I finished, and that's really fascinating to me. And look how many years it's taken to even conceive of a women being president in the United States? At that time, you couldn't even conceive of a woman being president of the United States, until two years ago ... but times have changed.

AP: You were a very vocal critic of former President George W. Bush, but said he was very gracious after he gave you a kiss during the Kennedy Center Honors.

Streisand: It still doesn't change my mind about his politics, the ruination of our country. But, he was very disarming and very nice and kind of fun with it.

AP: I didn't see you at the Obama inauguration.

Streisand: I was supposed to go, I was asked to go, but I'm in the middle of this recording ... and I just couldn't go. It was the most thrilling thing to watch this man Obama, Barack Obama, become the president of United States. It's such a wonderful thing for our country and our world. He's so intelligent and so smart, and that is such a change, and such a relief.

AP: Diana Krall is producing your new album. Is she also singing on it?

Streisand: I'm trying to convince her to sing with me, but she's resisting it. She plays the piano for me on several songs, but it's not over yet. I'm still working on her to try to do a duet with me. ... We have to find the right song.

AP: When do you plan to return to film?

Streisand: I'd like to get back to directing. There's something I've been working on for many many years and it's kind of almost time to get back into my directing role and there also is possible a sequel to "Meet the Fockers."

AP: Your stepson, Josh Brolin, is an Oscar nominee this year.

Streisand: Isn't that great? It's so great for him because now win or lose, he is an Oscar-nominated actor, and it's wonderful to get the recognition of your peers.

AP: Are you going to be involved in this year's Oscars?

Streisand: Doubt it. I like to watch from home, eat pizza ... I cuddle up on my couch.

A few tidbits on Barbra's New Album...

As earlier reported by BarbraNews.com -- Barbra is currently in the creative process of making her 63rd album. Sessions began in Los Angeles back in November -- and the album is being produced by jazz singer / pianist Diana Krall. Barbra talked about the album during a new USA Today interview...

"This is (Krall's) first time producing," says Streisand, 66, who is executive producer. "She's so good at what she does, and I like her so much as a person. We're working with a small group, like I did when I was a young performer." Tracks in progress include standards such as Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most and In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.

Barbra talks to USA Today

Barbra talks about the new Yentl DVD which is released tomorrow in the US -- and also talks about the new album... including tidbits on what songs she has recorded...

Read the full interview here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-02-01-streisand-yentl_N.htm?csp=34

Barbra Does Press For Yentl DVD...

With Yentl’s upcoming release Barbra has done a few interviews to promote the DVD. She recently did an interview with the Associated Press and USA Today. The USA Today article will run Monday or Tuesday. This afternoon she will be doing an interview with Amazon.com which should be posted within 24 hours and a brief chat with People Magazine which will run a story in 2 or 3 weeks

Barbra Not Performing For Obama...

Liz Smith has confirmed the following on her blog:

BARBRA STREISAND? You won't see her at any of the major inauguration functions - though she was most certainly asked to appear! But she and Diana Krall will watch the ceremonies from a recording studio in LA, where they're working feverishly on Barbra's new album. Diana is producing with her trio. They are toiling like crazy in a limited two-week time period that unfortunately coincides with Washington's festivities.

Barbra says she is happy she could do her LA fund-raiser for the president-to-be, and even though she won't be in DC on Tuesday, he knows her heart is there along with 300 million other Americans.

Important Info: YENTL Disc.

For those of you who pre-ordered Yentl using our $8.99 link page...

That page has now been removed from Amazon.com -- and if you want to pre-order the 2 disc set - you must use this page:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P5HI4A?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001P5HI4A

It looks like Amazon got early word about a one disc DVD set - which they were advertising for $8.99 -- but their supplier has told them that there is no such DVD.

So basically -- if you now want to receive the Yentl DVD - you must use the above link. They're doing it for $20.99 instead of $29.99 -- but you do get a LOT of extra / bonus material:.
Updated DVD Contents for YENTL.
Disc 1:
**Theatrical Cut (Widescreen Feature)
**Director's Extended Cut (Widescreen Feature) with added scenes from Barbra's Archives

In 1983, I was told the film had to be no more than two hours long. I was grateful when the studio allowed me to have another fourteen minutes. But it would have been nice to have these additional scenes included. So here they are. Barbra

**An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
**Commetary with Barbra Streisand and Rusty Lemorande
**Deleted Scenes

Disc 2:

**Special Features with Materials from Barbra's Archives
**An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
**The Director's Reel
**The Rehearsal Process with Materials from Barbra's Archives
*An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
*Where is it Written? Original Rehearsal Concept
*Where is it Written? Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
*No Wonder - Reprise Pre-Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
*Tomorrow Night Pre-Rehearsal Concept
*Tomorrow Night Pre-Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
*Will Someone Ever Look at Me That Way? Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
**The Moon and I Deleted Song Storyboard Sequence
**Several Sins a Day Deleted Song Storyboard Sequence
**Barbra's 8mm Concept Film (Play with Narration / Play without Narration)
**My Wonderful Cast and Crew
**Production Stills Gallery
**Portraits Stills Gallery
**Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
**The Recording Studio Stills Gallery
**Teaser Trailer
**Theatrical Trail

Kennedy Center Honors Aired

CBS aired The Kennedy Center Honors Show last night in the US. The award show is only ever aired once -- so if you missed it... here's a recap.

Glenn Close = Speech.
Indina Menzel sang Don't Rain On My Parade
Beyonce = The Way We Were
Ne-yo = Lover Come Back To Me
Kelli O'Hara / Nathan Gunn = Somewhere (with Choir)

Barbra's section of the show lasted a good 30 minutes... (longer than the other inductees). Queen Latifah talked about Barbra during a special Biography Video.

You can catch some of the segments on Youtube.com

BarbraNews will be putting some screen grabs up soon.

Streisand: Perfection Is Imperfection

Legendary Singer & Kennedy Center Honoree Embraces Her Humble Beginnings

(CBS) At this point in Barbra Streisand's legendary career, no one can rain on her parade -- not even President Bush.

To add to her stellar list of accolades, Streisand has been given the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor.

"It's a recognition of your country in a sense towards you, the artist, and the recognition of the importance of the arts in general," Streisand told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen.

Streisand has been a vocal critic of President Bush and many wondered if she would accept the award and attend the traditional White House gala.

"This is a weekend that celebrates the arts and artists, so I shall say that -- art transcends politics this weekend," she said.

On her official bio from the Kennedy Center, they list her job title as director, actress, singer, writer, composer and producer.

"You could add to that activist and environmentalist," Chen said.

Streisand grew up poor in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her father, a teacher, died when she was just 15 months old. The family continued to struggle. Streisand will never forget those early memories.

"My early childhood, we never had a couch. We never had a living room. We only had a dining room. And then my grandmother and grandfather lived in one bedroom and my mother, my brother and I slept in another bedroom, so we never had fancy things," she said. "We moved to another -- a project in Brooklyn and I remember the luxuriousness of this couch! Now I love couches. I never had a doll. I had a hot water bottle."

But those humble beginnings somehow helped Streisand find confidence in herself, even when her mother did not.

"My mother wanted me to join the school system. She kept saying, she was a school secretary, she kept saying 'You have free vacations, summers off and this is going to be good for you.' I kept saying, 'But, mom, I want to be an actress. No, you'll never make it. You're not pretty enough, you're not this enough, you're too skinny.' I was always very skinny. But I owe her a lot because, in a sense, I was proving to my mother that this skinny little girl, unconventional looking, I suppose, could be a movie star," she said.

Besides being a movie star, Streisand became a world class recording artist outselling the Beatles.

Despite the recognition, Streisand admits that her voice is far from perfect.

"I was gifted with a good set of vocal chords, I suppose. I believe in if you tell the truth or -- it comes from your heart, what comes from the heart goes to the heart. So it reaches people," she said.

She also can credit her deviated septum for her success as well.

"I think it helps," Streisand admitted.

Film Career

Streisand made her film debut 40 years ago and became one of Hollywood's leading ladies.

She won her first an Academy Award in 1968's "Funny Girl" and said she knew it wouldn't be her last.

"How do I say this? Belief inspires reality. Perception and belief creates reality. It's a vision. I don't know. I remember it was an awful choice I made wearing the dress I made for the first Academy Award, but I thought to myself, I'm going to win this again. Isn't that terrible to say? But that's the truth," she said.

Streisand was nominated for four more Oscars, and won again for writing "Evergreen," the love theme to "A Star Is Born." She was the first female composer ever to win an Academy Award.

In 1983, Streisand released her 15-year labor of love "Yentl." She was the first woman in Hollywood to star, co-write and produce a film. The film paid tribute to her father, who died when she was an infant.

"I had to become my own father in a sense. And I also had to be everyone else's parent. You know, when you direct, you -- they are your children in a way. So it brings out all those instincts that are dormant sometimes, you know?" she said.

Another big personal triumph for Streisand was "The Prince of Tides," which garnered her seven Oscar nominations.

"What drew you to the book?" Chen asked.

"How human beings can transform and heal through a search for the truth. That's the basis of this story, and understanding your childhood, understanding your parents, forgiveness," Streisand said.

But the film many called the most romantic of all time is "The Way We Were," her 1973 pairing with Robert Redford.

"He was wonderful to work with. I loved working with him. Always interesting. Always in the moment, you know? So we never knew what each other was going to do -- take to take," she said.

In the '70s and '80s, Streisand was visible on the silver screen, but absent from concert stages.

It was stage fright that kept her away from the stage. During her performance in Central Park in 1967, Streisand forgot the words before 135,000 people -- prior to that she never experienced stage fright.

"No stage fright. You know, it was scary. It was wonderful. But I remember it being a horrifying experience. Really embarrassing to forget the words, forget the words. That's why I didn't sing for a very long time until they invented Teleprompters. It still scares me to this day," Streisand admitted.

"What is the biggest misconception about you," Chen asked.

"One? Gosh, I don't know. What do they say? What do they say about me? I'm difficult. Oh, difficult. That's one. Right? I don't know. Maybe in the search for the -- striving for excellence, I think may be perceived as difficult. It's not perfection because there is no such thing as perfection. I remember writing in my journal when I was 15, observing an acting class, that perfection was imperfection. Because, otherwise, it's inhuman, you know? It's almost too perfect," she said.

Well, in the eyes of millions dedicated and adoring fans, she's pretty close to being perfect.

The 31st annual Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast tonight at 9 p.m. ET, on CBS.



© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

MGM Press Release: Yentl Extended Director's Edition

NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE
YENTL
EXTENDED DIRECTOR’S EDITION

Barbra Streisand’s Golden Globe Award-Winning Musical Odyssey Debuts on 2-Disc DVD for the First Time February 3 from MGM Home Entertainment


“Three cheers for chutzpah!”
Richard Corliss, Time

“…charming and moving...”
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Streisand gives Yentl a heart that sings and spirit that soars.”
People Magazine

“The best directing debut since Citizen Kane!”
Steven Spielberg

LOS ANGELES, CA – In turn of the century Eastern Europe, a Jewish girl disguises herself as a boy in order to pursue a religious education in Yentl, available on DVD for the first time February 3rd from MGM Home Entertainment and timed to the films 25th Anniversary. Starring multiple award winner* Barbra Streisand (A Star Is Born, The Way We Were), Golden Globe® nominee** Mandy Patinkin (“Chicago Hope,” The Princess Bride) and Amy Irving (Traffic, Crossing Delancey) in her Academy Award®-nominated role, Yentl is based on a play by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer’s original short story “Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy.” When Yentl’s (Streisand) father (played by Nehemiah Persoff), who secretly tutored her throughout her childhood in the Talmud – the primary source of Jewish religion law - dies, she faces a life of female drudgery with no hope of continuing her studies. Frustrated by her feminine destiny, feisty Yentl transforms herself into looking like a boy, renames herself Anshel, and heads for the nearest Talmudic academy where she hopes to pass as a male student. There she falls in love with fellow student Avigdor (Patinkin), who in turn is in love with Hadass (Irving). After numerous complications ensue, Yentl, determined to get what she wants, leaves Europe for America to pursue her dream of serious study without needing to hide her identity as a woman.

Incorporating humor and music to relate Yentl’s journey, the film won an Academy Award in 1984 for best original score and received four Oscar nominations including Amy Irving for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Art Direction/Set Direction, and Best Original Songs including “Papa, Can You Hear Me?” and “The Way He Makes Me Feel,” both sung by Streisand. Additional accolades include two Golden Globe award wins and four nominations, and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Album of Instrumental Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special.

The Yentl Extended Director’s Edition Two-Disc DVD set includes never before seen bonus features such as Barbra Streisand’s Original Concept Reel, rehearsal/final film comparisons, storyboard montages for musical numbers, deleted scenes, and much more, and will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.98 U.S./$37.98 Canada. Prebook is January 17th.

* Oscar Awards: 2 wins (A Star is Born, Funny Girl); Golden Globe Awards: 3 wins (Yentl, A Star is Born, Funny Girl)
** 1995: Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Drama, “Chicago Hope;” 1984 : Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical, Yentl

Synopsis
The legendary Barbra Streisand shines as producer, co-writer, director and star of this radiant film about a young woman who risks everything for her insatiable passion to learn. Masquerading as a young man, she enters the Yeshiva to fulfill her forbidden desire for knowledge. But in a place where even the strongest mind can be betrayed by the body, how long can she uphold her secret before her new friends – and the young man she’s come to love – discover the shocking truth?

Special Features
The Yentl Extended Director’s Edition DVD is presented in widescreen with English Dolby Surround 5.1 sound. Special features include:

Disc One:
· Streisand Introduction #1 (Anniversary & Collector’s Edition)
· Commentary with Barbra Streisand and Executive Producer Rusty Lemorande
(Anniversary & Collector’s Edition)
· 11 Deleted Scenes (Anniversary & Collector’s Edition)
Disc Two:
· Barbra Streisand’s Introduction to Disc 2 (Collector’s Edition)
· Barbra Streisand’s Original Concept Reel (Streisand Introduction included)
(Collector’s Edition)
· The Director’s Reed (Streisand Introduction included) (Collector’s Edition)
· Rehearsal/Final Film Comparisons (Collector’s Edition)
· Where is it Written? Rehearsal (Streisand Introduction included) (Collector’s Edition)
· Where is it Written? Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison (Collector’s Edition)
· No Wonder Rehearsal (Collector’s Edition)
· No Wonder Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison (Collector’s Edition)
· The Way He Makes Me Feel Rehearsal (Collector’s Edition)
· The Way He Makes Me Feel/Final Film Comparison (Collector’s Edition)
· No Wonder – Reprise Rehearsal (Collector’s Edition)
· No Wonder – Reprise Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison (Collector’s Edition)
· Tomorrow Night Rehearsal (Collector’s Edition)
· Tomorrow Night Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison (Collector’s Edition)
· Will Someone Ever Look at Me That Way? Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison
(Collector’s Edition)
· Storyboard Montages for Musical Numbers (Collector’s Edition)
· Deleted Number: The Moon and I (Streisand Introduction included) (Collector’s Edition)
· Deleted Number: Several Sins a Day (Collector’s Edition)
· Papa, Can You Hear Me? (Collector’s Edition)
· A Piece of Sky (Collector’s Edition)
· Tomorrow Night (Collector’s Edition)
· Teaser Trailer
· Theatrical Trailer
· Photo Gallery



Yentl
Price: $29.98 U.S./$37.98 Canada (Extended Director’s Edition)
Order Due Date: January 17, 2009
Street Date: February 3, 2009
Catalog Number: M111776 (Extended Director’s Edition)
Total Run Time: 133 minutes
Rating: PG
Screen Format: Widescreen
Subtitles: English/Spanish
Closed Captioned: Yes

Barbra To Sing For Obama?

According to a new interview with Quincy Jones... Barbra is all set to perform 'Happy Days Are Here Again' at the Inauguration in January.

More soon.

Diana Krall Talks...

Diana Krall spoke with the Vancouver Sun and mentioned the Streisand album project:

She has also been in L.A. producing a new album for Barbra Streisand.

The collaboration with Streisand started when Krall was pregnant. “She’d come to some of my gigs and mentioned that she needed inspiration for her tour, so I started sending her CDs.”

Streisand surprised Krall at her Madison Square Garden concert in 2006 when she dedicated the song "Down With Love" to her. The shout-out turned the heads of audience members Oprah Winfrey and Rosie O’Donnell.

Krall shakes her head, incredulous. “I mean I’m just this girl from Nanaimo, and I’m pregnant, out to here with the twins. And then I got the phone call asking me to work with her.”

She was so stunned, she says she didn’t call back. At least not right away. She had to absorb it. But soon she was down at Streisand’s house, playing songs on her piano. Now she’s booking orchestra times, tracking budgets.

“Cool, eh?” says Krall, who is suddenly just the girl from Nanaimo again, as surprised as anyone at the thought.

“We speak to each other as women, as moms. She’s someone I really admire. We talk about art and architecture and design and clothes. The normal things.”

Yentl DVD Details Unveiled...

BarbraNews can reveal it will be a TWO disc set... and we're the first to give you the details of what will be included. I'm sure you'll agree this is VERY special.

ORDER HERE: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JRYH2K?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001JRYH2K

Disc One:

Streisand Introduction #1
Commentary with Barbra Streisand and Executive Producer Rusty Lemorande
11 Deleted Scenes

Disc Two:

Barbra Streisand’s Introduction to Disc 2
Barbra Streisand’s Original Concept Reel (Streisand Introduction included)
The Director’s Reed (Streisand Introduction included)
Rehearsal/Final Film Comparisons
Where is it Written? Rehearsal (Streisand Introduction included)
Where is it Written? Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison
No Wonder Rehearsal
No Wonder Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison
The Way He Makes Me Feel Rehearsal
The Way He Makes Me Feel/Final Film Comparison
No Wonder – Reprise Rehearsal
No Wonder – Reprise Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison
Tomorrow Night Rehearsal
Tomorrow Night Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison
Will Someone Ever Look at Me That Way? Rehearsal/Final Film Comparison
Storyboard Montages for Musical Numbers
Deleted Number: The Moon and I (Streisand Introduction included)
Deleted Number: Several Sins a Day
Papa, Can You Hear Me?
A Piece of Sky
Tomorrow Night
Teaser Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
Photo Gallery

ORDER HERE: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JRYH2K?ie=UTF8&tag=barbranewsc02-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001JRYH2K

New Interview with Barbra

The Kennedy Honors special will air on CBS on Tuesday, December 30.

The CBS Early Show interview with Barbra Streisand will be the concluding segment of the network's five day build-up to the airing of the Kennedy Honors special. Her segment will occur on the morning broadcast of Tuesday, December 30.

2008 in Review.

Click here to read the new '2008 -- A Year In Review'.

Barbra talks about Kennedy Center Honor...

Last weekend, I was in Washington DC to accept the Kennedy Center Honors, and I noticed that the kiss between me and the “soon to be former” President Bush created quite a stir. The Today Show even proclaimed that it was a sign of the apocalypse. The timing is ironic. After eight years of President Clinton and on the cusp of at least four years of President Obama, I get selected to receive this prestigious award…during the Bush Administration. I have never met George W. Bush, but for the past eight years I have been blogging about him and his administration on my web site. I have relayed my frustration at the direction he has taken our country in no uncertain terms. So it was just as surprising to me as it apparently was to the press that upon meeting President Bush and extending my hand to him, he said to me, “Aw c’mon, gimme a hug and a kiss,” and then he proceeded to embrace me. I must say, I found him very warm and completely disarming…even though I think he was kissing me hello as I was kissing him goodbye…

During the White House ceremony, the President described each honorees attributes. After he listed mine, he added, “She’s also been known to speak her mind,” to which the audience first laughed and then applauded. I genuinely thought he was very funny and very gracious.

During the Kennedy Center Honors, President Bush gave me his signature wink (which he must have passed on to Sarah Palin) and mouthed, “We showed ‘em.” I guess in some small way, he and I proved that we could agree to disagree, and, for that weekend, art transcended politics.

Barbra at the Kennedy Center Honors

WASHINGTON – Barbra Streisand is visiting the White House but says she'll play nice. Streisand, a vocal critic of President George W. Bush, was a guest Sunday at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue during one of Washington's few A-list events.

"Art," she said, "transcends politics this weekend."

The singer and actress this year is a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, along with Morgan Freeman, country singer George Jones, dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.

The honors recognize individuals who have had an impact on American culture through the performing arts, part of the living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

Jones said there were no strained moments between Streisand and Bush during the reception.

"Everything went so smooth," he said.

After the reception, the group traveled with the president and first lady Laura Bush to the performing arts center for a gala in their honor.

The gala will include the young singer-songwriter Ne-Yo singing Streisand's 1965 hit "Lover, Come Back to Me."

"Barbra Streisand is the epitome of emotion in music. You feel every word, that's something that artists in my day and age don't really pay attention to," he said

Barbra in Washington...

Kennedy Center Honoree Barbara Streisand and James Brolin arrive for the State Department Dinner for the Kennedy Center Honors gala Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at the State Department in Washington.
(AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

Barbra talks to... The Washington Post.

A fantastic new interview has just been published with The Washington Post ahead of Barbra's Appearance at The Kennedy Center Honors tomorrow evening.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/05/AR2008120500947.html

Barbra Likely To Direct 'The Normal Heart'...

Most fans will have heard about this project on and off since the 1980s... Barbra has often talked about wanting to turn the play into a movie. Barbra mentioned it in today's Washington Post Interview.

Will she do it?

The Normal Heart is a play written by Larry Kramer, dealing with the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City from 1981-1984, through the eyes of Ned Weeks, the gay Jewish founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. It was one of the first plays to deal with the issue.

The Normal Heart was first performed at The Public Theater in 1985, produced by Joseph Papp, and has since gone on to be produced internationally.

Barbra-Archives Relaunches.

Matt Howe has done an incredible job re-designing his website. Click here to visit the new website...

Barbra-Archives has been going since 2003!

YENTL DVD Art Unveiled

Beyonce to perform for Streisand

From LA Times today....

Beyoncé clearly seeks out role models and thumbs through music history the way some people browse catalogs. She carefully channeled the icy perfection of Diana Ross in "Dreamgirls" and jumped at the chance to perform with Tina Turner at February's Grammy Awards ceremony. Now comes her turn as Etta James, and, on Dec. 7, she will seek out her hero, Streisand; Beyoncé will perform "The Way We Were" at the Kennedy Center Honors and she already has butterflies.

"It's amazing. It's beautiful," she said. "When you're a little girl you don't think you'll meet these people, these giants. You get to speak to them and ask them whatever you want. It makes you stand up straight too, absolutely. I have so many things to ask her."

Barbra All Set To Record 63rd Album

Barbra will return to the recording studio on Monday to record her first studio album since Guilty Pleasures... which was released on September 20th, 2005 and subsequently went Gold within weeks of it's release. Barbra broke the news of the project to Radio listeners prior to the American elections. She will work along side Diana Krall for the first time.

It's not yet clear what Diana's role will be -- but we're pretty certain she'll be involved with the arrangements. This project will be Barbra's 63rd album. Barbra Streisand Live In Concert 2006 was her last non-studio album, which debuted at #7 in May 2007.

BarbraNews will be keeping fans updated throughout.

Pre-Order Yentl for $9.99

Yentl 25th Anniversary DVD will be released on February 3rd 2009. The DVD will include many deleted scenes, commentary, introduction from Barbra + more. Click here to pre-order now with Amazon and avoid disappointment.

A New Day by Barbra Streisand.

November 5th…what a day… a new day….finally Dr. King’s words ring true that one day we will live in a nation where people “will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” After 2 stolen elections, this time, in this election over 57 million Americans made their voices heard. I am so proud of our country today…miraculously overnight we have regained the respect of the world. From England to Africa, people are celebrating Barack Obama’s victory…proof that he is the first truly global President.

Last night, Americans took this wonderful country back from the party and the leaders that have led us astray over the past eight years. So I thank each and every one of you for standing in line for hours to vote. Americans have regained their optimism and renewed their sense of hope ...and now we all look to a brighter tomorrow. Unlike most of the public, the pundits and the politicians, President-elect Barack Obama rejected the idea of an America comprised of blue states versus red states…and last night he proved to each and every one of us that we truly are the United States of America.

Barbra To Record her 63rd Album.

Barbra will return to the Recording Studio next week to start work on her new album -- produced by Diana Krall.

BarbraNews will be keeping you informed on this project....

More later.

Tuesday Radio Times (with links to listen online)

For immediate release: BARBRA STREISAND TO DO AFTERNOON ELECTION DAY RADIO TOUR TO GET OUT FINAL VOTES IN KEY EASTERN SWING STATES

Barbra Streisand is scheduled to undertake a six station call-in radio tour to get out the vote before polls close in four key eastern swing states on election day (November 4 .) This follows a four state call-in tour by the artist activist on Monday. Following is a list of stations and times for listeners who wish to pose questions:

ALL TIMES PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME


3:00pm to 3:07pm
Florida West Palm Beach (FL) WJNO
http://www.wjno.com/main.html 561-881-1966 561-881-7956 Jim Edwards

3:10pm to 3:17pm
West Virginia Martinsburg (WV) WEPM
http://wepm.com/ 304-263-8868 x118 304-263-8868, press 0 ask for Hans Hans Vogel

3:20pm to 3:27pm Pennsylvania Pittsburgh (PA) AURN
412-456-4030 x1 and then hit 1 again Tene Croom
No link

3:30pm to 3:37pm Pennsylvania Erie (PA) WXKC-FM
http://www.classy100.com/Article.asp?id=939644 814-868-9100 Tony Jay

3:40pm to 3:47pm Florida Jacksonville (FL) WZAZ
http://www.wzaz.com/ 904-266-1400 904-635-4667 L-Michelle

3:50pm to 3:57pm North Carolina Raleigh-Durham (NC) WCBQ http://www.dralvinjones.com/ 919-693-1340 252-915-5797 Dr. Alvin Jones

Barbra To Speak On Radio Shows MONDAY

4:00pm to 4:07pm
Missouri
St. Louis (MO)
KPRS http://www.kprs.com/

4:10pm to 4:17pm
Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh (PA)
WASN/WRBP/WGFT http://www.jamz1019.com/

4:20pm to 4:27pm
Missouri
St. Louis (MO)
KEZK http://www.kezk.com/

4:30pm to 4:37pm
Indiana
Other (indicate in Notes field below)
WIKY http://www.wiky.com/

4:40pm to 4:47pm
Nevada
Las Vegas (NV)
KPLV http://www.931theparty.com/main.html

4:50pm to 4:57pm
Indiana
Indianapolis (IN)
WYXB http://www.b1057.com/

Barbra's PSA Video...

I encourage everyone to watch this brief video. (click)

YENTL COMING TO DVD 3 FEBRUARY 2009

YENTL COMING TO DVD 3 FEBRUARY 2009

Yentl will finally debut on DVD on 3 February 2009.

This is the only film from Barbra that has NOT been released on DVD (With the exception of Europe).

The DVD is currently billed as Yentl: 25th Anniversary Edition, and will feature 11 cut scenes, Commentary with Barbra Streisand and Executive Producer Rusty Lemorande, an introduction by Barbra and more.*

BarbraNews is hoping to bring Cover Art + more information to you soon.

*Bonus features will be confirmed soon.

Barbra At The Dodgers Game....

All About Barbra Magazine Press Release.

All About Barbra Magazine Set To Relaunch

After 24 years in publications, All About Barbra Magazine is about to be relaunched with an exclusive Q&A with Barbra herself. This is not the first time Barbra has participated. She has been extremely kind and giving with photos for publication and signed items used to raise money for various charities from Childline to Aids Benefits.

Editors of the magazine were invited backstage after her sell out concert in Manchester, England last year - where she kindly posed for photos and signed items, as we all as introducing us to her husband, Actor James Brolin -- and her beautiful pooch Samantha Brolin, said Lynne, Editor in Chief of the magazine. People should know that Barbra is extremely kind and wonderful to meet in person. She has always been kind to the magazine and always receives a copy of the latest issue.

A glossy, slick publication. 28 pages, dedicated to the first lady of Entertainment. It has been enjoyed by fans worldwide since 1984. 67 issues later we're ready to relaunch with a new look -- it will be a must have for any Streisand fan.

AAB Publications is hoping to publish Issue 1 by the holidays. To order your copy of the magazine (or any back issues, while they remain) - visit the website. www.allaboutbarbra.com

Lynne Pounder.
Editor.
England.

Barbra at W Premiere.

Noted guests included Brett Ratner, Bill Maher, Ed Zwick, Paul Haggis, Al Pacino, Martin Sheen, Diane Lane, Academy President Sid Ganis and Maria Bello. Proud father James Brolin and mother-in-law Barbra Streisand huddled in a corner of the Landmark wine bar at the after-party with her "Meet the Fockers" director, Jay Roach. Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen and Jonah Hill amiably chatted and posed for photos.

Lauren Frost's New Album

Dear Barbra Fans...

I just HAD to email you all about Lauren Frost's debut album -- 'Words for the Birds'. Lauren was kind enough to send me a copy of her album, and I LOVE it! How can someone's debut album be so great?

I sort of have a one track mind when it comes to music. BARBRA! As much as I want to like other artists, I often find myself comparing everything about the album to Barbra. Not just the singing, but the arrangements, liner notes... etc.

How would I describe Lauren's album?? Well -- I listened to the whole album on a Sunday afternoon (and even repeated some of the tracks). It was great to chill out, and listen Lauren's voice... it's very soulful. World's apart from Lauren dueting with Barbra on 'You'll Never Know' or 'A Piece Of Sky'.

Her voice glides effortlessly from one track to the next. If you like jazz... you'll love this album. Each song tells a story... Lauren is clearly talking about past memories and experiences. From a teenager, into an adult.

I don't want to spoil the surprise any further -- so please, log on to iTunes now. You can listen to song samples + and also download the album.

Watch out for my second interview with the wonderful Lauren Frost - very soon.

Fan Report from Obama Evening...

Song Choices...

When The Sun Comes Out
Make Someone Happy
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
My Shining Hour

The event started at 7:30, but no performances until 9:00 when Raul Esparza (He starred in the recent "Company" revival) came out and sang America accapella. Then a singer named Ben Harper sang two songs.

Then 5 musicians came out, (piano, guitar, drums, base guitar and electronic keyboard that was used as a horn section). At 9:30 came a voice over introduction, and Barbra came out. Very blonde, in black pants and blouse with a sparkly black cardigan-type top, with a diamond necklace and a large square cut emerald.

She launched into When The Sun Comes Out. Her voice was a little husky in the midrange, but she was in good voice and hit the high notes. She talked about being a little girl in Hebrew school and learning that if you can help save one person, you can save the world.

Then into "Make Someone Happy". During the second half of the song she changed the lyrics to be about Obama: "We'll rally 'round him." She seemed happy with it and the pianist gave her a positive nod.

She then said she wasn't here to make speeches, but if you check her website in a couple days, you can see her vent.

She then sang What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life. Great job again.

She was next scheduled to sing Smile (I saw a technician's set list) but she dropped it and went on to the last song of the evening...

My Shining Hour. Big ovation and then she introduced Obama.

When he came out they hugged and whispered to each other for 20 seconds or so. Then he shook the musician's hands and started his speech.

A couple of other things, after the first or second song she had noticed all the flashes and said, "Are those cell phones or cameras? I was told that there wouldn't be reporters here. Or are you YouTube junkies?"

Her set was only about 20 minutes.

It wasn't reserved seating, although the first two rows were reserved for special guests. I was 7th row center. Very close and close to the end of the last song I went up the aisle to the front and was 15 feet from her.

Lots of celebs: Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Foxx, Sara Silverman, Laura Dern are the ones I saw.

Streisand at Clinton Initiative (New York)?

From New York Times
McCain at Bill Clinton Event

By Katharine Q. Seelye

Former President Bill Clinton is welcoming a galaxy of international stars to the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative later this month, including Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, whom Mr. Clinton has vowed to help Senator Barack Obama defeat in November.

The event, scheduled to run Sept. 23-26 in New York, is nonpolitical and has featured prominent Republicans in the past, including Laura Bush in 2006. Mr. McCain is to deliver the opening remarks; Mr. Obama, the Democratic nominee, is to address the participants by satellite.

"C.G.I. isn't about politics," said Matt McKenna, a spokesman for Mr. Clinton. "It's about improving lives and solving some of the world's most pressing problems. President Clinton is grateful that both candidates for president are taking time away from the trail to join in that effort."

Mr. Clinton began the initiative in 2005 to bring together influential people to help solve problems in areas like health, energy and poverty around the world. The members have made nearly 1,000 commitments valued at more than $30 billion to provide help in more than 150 countries.

Others scheduled to attend this year include Al Gore, Bono, Lance Armstrong, Barbra Streisand, Muhammad Ali, T. Boone Pickens and Tom Brokaw. Several heads of state are also coming, including Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, Gordon Brown of Britain and Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.

BarbraNews.com note: Barbra last attended in 2006.

Barbra on John McCain.

Click here to read a new statement from Barbra.

Diane Lane Talks Barbra!

Diane Lane may have the world's most intimidating stepmother-in-law, but the star has nothing but good things to say about Barbra Streisand.

"[She] is an amazing woman," Lane tells Redbook magazine in its October issue. "I especially admire her gift for listening to people. If you go out for dinner with her, she'll interview everyone in the restaurant."

Kennedy Center Honors...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barbra Streisand, actor Morgan Freeman and country singer George Jones will be awarded the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievement in the arts, along with choreographer Twyla Tharp and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.
The performing arts center in Washington announced the 2008 honorees Tuesday.

Performers from New York, Hollywood and Nashville will salute the honorees at a Dec. 7 gala. President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will host the honorees at the White House before the performance.

The honors are awarded the night before at a State Department dinner hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Barbra To Sing For Obama...

Barbra Streisand will be among the headliners at a fund-raiser for Barack Obama on Sept. 16, where she will perform for the presidential candidate at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The plans for the event were outlined this morning and Streisand confirmed that she would take the stage. The hotel ballroom holds an estimated 700 people. Obama's fund-raiser is expected to be his final visit to raise money here before the general election. Obama will start the evening with a 5 p.m. dinner event for about 250 people at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, the historic estate once owned by the legendary Doheny family. Tickets for the event are $28,500. Later, he will attend a reception at the Beverly Wilshire, followed by Streisand's special performance. Tickets for the event are $2,500 per person.

Co-hosts for event include the DreamWorks team of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen, as well as political consultant Andy Spahn. It's also being organized with Obama's Southern California finance team. Streisand endorsed Obama after he secured the nomination in June. She had endorsed Hillary Clinton in the primary, and appeared and spoke at a fund-raiser for her in January. She also sang at a concert for John Kerry in 2004 and Al Gore in 2000. The timing of this Obama visit is giving new meaning to the words, "quick turnaround," as organizers have just eight days to put the fetes together.