QVC Exclusive: 2 CD + DVD.

Order the 2 CD set with QVC - and get a FREE 21 minute behind-the-scenes DVD.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.F09537.desc.Barbra-Streisand-What-Matters-Most-2CDDeluxe-Edition-wDVD

Meeting Barbra Streisand - Album Pre-Order Contest.

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/us/news/what-matters-most-pre-order-contest-winners-meet-barbra-set

http://www.nyc2suburbia.com/2011/07/main-event-meeting-barbra-streisand_22.html

Order the album with QVC - and get a special bonus DVD!

Click here for details:

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/us/news/richard-jay-alexander-once-again-appear-shopping-channel-qvc-promote-barbras-forthcoming-album-

Hollywood Royalty meets British Royalty.

Hollywood royalty met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a glittering Bafta dinner last night (Saturday).

William and Kate met the stars of Tinsel Town who came out in support of British creative talent last night.

Some of the biggest names working in Los Angeles, including Barbra and Jim, were received by the world's most famous newlyweds.

The royal couple have become the toast of California after jetting into America on Friday for a whirlwind three-day visit, which comes after a successful tour of Canada.

Barbra looked stunning in a Morgan Lefay dress...with a Bonnie Strauss jacket... and antique jewelry from her own collection.

Some people "twittered" from the event:

Josh Brolin looking very handsome at the BAFTA event tonight in Los Angeles!  Barbra Streisand gets prettier by the year. Talent is beaut…


@piersmorgan: Chatting to J-Lo and BarbraStreisand, waiting for Wills and Kate to come in.


Barbra Streisand exits her car to resounding applause- legacy in action


Streisand and Kidman both make the first move and stick their hands across the table to greet the royals

Here are some photos from the event:

Your Chance To Meet Barbra...

This is specific to those in the USA. You are not authorized to participate in the Sweepstakes if you are not located within the 48 continental United States or the District of Columbia. Void in the State of Rhode Island.

Have you always wanted to meet Barbra but never thought you'd have the chance? Thanks to The Official Barbra Streisand Music Store, now you do!

Pre-order any configuration of her new album What Matters Most - Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan & Marilyn Bergman from The Official Barbra Streisand Music Store and you'll be automatically entered to win a trip for two to meet Barbra on the set of her new movie, "My Mother's Curse."
Pre-order now and you will also get to hear two selections from the album before anyone else! All pre-orders include two free instant MP3 downloads of Barbra's new recordings of "The Windmills of Your Mind," the Academy Award-winning song from the 1968 movie The Thomas Crown Affair, and "That Face" which was first recorded by Fred Astaire.

The Sweepstakes will begin on June 27, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. EDT and will end on July 5, 2011 at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT

Official Pre-Order Link: http://myplay.me/7wc

Contest rules: http://www.columbiarecords.com/barbra/whatmattersmostsweepstakes/official-rules.html

Track Listing for "What Matters Most".

Here is a first look at the track listing for the new album, along with the listing for the bonus CD.

Disc: 1
1. The Windmills Of Your Mind
2. Something New In My Life
3. Solitary Moon
4. Nice n Easy
5. Alone In The World
6. So Many Stars
7. The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye
8. That Face
9. I'll Never Say Goodbye
10. What Matters Most

Disc: 2
1. The Way We Were
2. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
3. You Don't Bring Me Flowers
4. Papa, Can You Hear Me?
5. Pieces Of Dreams
6. The Island
7. The Summer Knows
8. How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
9. After The Rain
10. A Piece Of Sky

Click here to PRE-ORDER this album with Amazon.

Pre-Order "What Matters Most" - Barbra's New Album

STREISAND'S FIRST ALBUM OF SONGS WRITTEN BY HER LONGTIME COLLABORATORS, ALAN & MARILYN BERGMAN, TO DEBUT ON COLUMBIA RECORDS AUGUST 23, 2011

* * * * *

June 27, 2011 (Los Angeles) -- The incomparable Barbra Streisand's long-cherished desire to release an album of music with lyrics exclusively written by her collaborators and friends, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, will be achieved with her latest release What Matters Most- Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman for Columbia Records. The ten song album, and deluxe edition, will be available August 23, 2011.

"What Matters Most" is Ms. Streisand's first new album since the September 2009 release of "Love Is The Answer," which debuted at Number One, making her the only artist to achieve number one albums in five consecutive decades.

The new album, which Streisand personally produced, is comprised of ten Bergman songs which Streisand has never previously recorded. Included in the set are the Academy Award winning songs "The Windmills of Your Mind" (from the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair); "So Many Stars" (originally a hit song for Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66); "Nice 'n' Easy" (popularized by Frank Sinatra); and "That Face" (first recorded by Fred Astaire) . The CD will be packaged in a jewel box with a 24-page color booklet.

The deluxe edition CD will include ten previously released performances of Barbra singing the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman including "The Way We Were", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and "Pieces of Dreams".

Reflecting on her long-held desire to devote an entire album to the amazingly varied and consistently inspired music of the Bergmans, Streisand noted, "Alan and Marilyn Bergman have a remarkable gift for expressing affairs of the heart."
The affection and respect between lyricists and artist is quite wonderful. "When we write a song, we hear Barbra," said lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman. "She makes the connection from the heart to the mind, and it emerges through her voice."
According to the RIAA, Barbra Streisand is the #1 best selling female recording artist in history and the only woman to make the Top 10 all time best selling artists list, which includes Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Over the course of her career, Streisand has recorded 50 gold, 30 platinum and 13 multi-platinum albums, all records for female performers. 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, author, photographer and songwriter. (She won an Academy Award for writing the music to "Evergreen" – the theme song from "A Star Is Born")

Having earned two Oscars (Best Actress and Best Song), five 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 honors 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 Medal, two prestigious Peabody Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Grammy Legend Award. She's also received the Kennedy Center Honors and most recently the MusiCares Person of the Year Award.

During their distinguished career Alan and Marilyn Bergman have been nominated for sixteen Academy Awards, winning three for "The Windmills of Your Mind" (1968) "The Way We Were" (1973) and the score for "Yentl" (1984). "The Way We Were" also earned a Golden Globe and two Grammys.

# # #

Barbra and Jim - 15 Years Together.

On Friday 1 July - Barbra and Jim will celebrate 15 years together, 13 of them as a married couple.

I usually shy away from reporting on the personal side of Barbra's life... knowing how private Barbra is... but since 15 years is a sort of milestone - I thought it would be fun to look back at the public side of their life together.

"Lace" is the traditional wedding anniversary gift of 13 years marriage - and "Chrysanthemum" is the official flower gift.

A selection of clips over the years:



Photos:

Barbra Items in Debbie Reynolds' Auction.

You can see the final totals here:

http://www.icollector.com/Debbie-Reynolds-The-Auction_as20092?p=1&ps=50&kw=streisand

What Matters Most: Barbra Streisand Sings The Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman

Yesterday, PBS broke the news that Barbra's new album will be titled "What Matters Most: Barbra Streisand Sings The Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman".

The announcement came during the ad-break of Barbra's 2009 Village Vanguard Concert which was airing on PBS at the time.

PBS announced that the album will be released in August, and will feature 10 tracks including:

•The Promise (I'll Never Say Goodbye).
•Solitary Moon.
•Windmills of your Mind.
•The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye.
•Alone in the World.
•What Matters Most.

BarbraNews Exclusive: New Photos of Barbra on Set of 'My Mother's Curse'.

© Kevin Perkins, PacificCoastNews.com

Exclusive Photos: Barbra and Seth Rogen On Set.

Here's an exclusive look at Barbra and co-star Seth Rogen on the set of "My Mother's Curse". The movie will be released in March 2012.

Photos courtesy of On Location News - and must not be saved or copied.

Barbra's New Movie - "My Mother's Curse".

Matt Howe at Barbra-Archives has created a wonderful page dedicated to Barbra's new film - which she's currently filming.

Click here for the page and to see photos of Barbra on set.

Barbra Remembers Arthur Laurents

From BarbraStreisand.com:

Arthur and I go way back to "I Can Get It For You Wholesale" in 1962. Then we did "The Way We Were" in 1973 and we were about to do "Gypsy" together.

He created people you care about because he cared about people. I spoke to him a few weeks ago and he sounded so strong, as always. He was lucky to have lived a full and creative life up 'til the very end.

I'll miss working with him again. - Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand and Larry Kramer trade blame for failed 'Normal Heart' film

Entertainment Weekly Exclusive

Film legend Barbra Streisand and gay activist Larry Kramer would both like to set the record straight about their failed attempt to bring The Normal Heart — Kramer’s 1985 play about the dawn of the AIDS epidemic — to the big screen. The problem is, each of them says it’s the other’s fault. In an exclusive interview with EW, Streisand calls Kramer “brilliant, courageous, stubborn, and self-destructive.” The writer’s response? “She never put her money where her mouth is.”

“I love this play, and I love its cause,” says Streisand, who first purchased the film rights to The Normal Heart after seeing its original Off Broadway incarnation in 1985. (A Tony-nominated revival is currently running at Broadway’s John Golden Theatre.) Over the next ten years, she worked with Kramer and another screenwriter to adapt the story, which focuses on the struggles of writer Ned Weeks (Kramer’s literary alter ego) during the early days of the AIDS crisis in NYC. Streisand intended to direct the film and take the part of strong-willed Dr. Emma Brookner, a supporting role in the play.

But a movie never materialized. According to Streisand, Kramer was unwilling to allow adjustments that were necessary to make the script more cinematic. “I was using the best of [the play]. But there are certain things you do for film,” she tells EW. “Larry only wanted to use his screenplay. I couldn’t have my hands tied artistically.”
Kramer has another version of the story. He says Streisand rewrote the script to make her character the star, marginalizing the gay characters who are at the center of the play. “She cut Ned’s part so much that when she offered the movie to a major star who had played the part on stage, he said, ‘I can’t play this. The character has no motivation anymore,’” claims Kramer. “She subsumed all of the motivations into her part, as the doctor.” (A rep for Streisand did not immediately reply to request for comment on Kramer’s remarks.)

Streisand also says Kramer rejected a deal from HBO to turn the play into a TV project after major studios balked at its subject matter. “Larry wouldn’t accept their highest offer of $250,000. He wanted a million dollars,” says Streisand. “Larry held out for the money. I didn’t. Why not advance your cause? Why keep this movie unseen for all these years?” Kramer claims he never heard about such an offer and says Streisand repeatedly abandoned the project to work on other movies.
Even after the rights to the play reverted back to Kramer in the mid-nineties, Streisand says she never stopped supporting the project. Then, last year, Kramer posted a missive on the website of AIDS-awareness organization ACT UP, calling Streisand a “hypocrite” for failing to make The Normal Heart. “When he printed that diatribe on the web, I was very hurt by it, because it’s not true. I started to write [a response] but then decided not to do it,” says Streisand. “It was wonderful to read some of the comments from the gay community about this. They fought the battle for me. It was really lovely for all these people to come to my defense.”
Streisand says she was most upset by Kramer’s accusation that she had sabotaged the fight for gay rights. “At a time when we are all pulling together to achieve such giant steps for gay equality, it is anguishing to me to have my devotion to this cause so distorted. I think my efforts for the gay community and my immersion in securing its constitutional entitlement and other equitable rights is quite evident and a matter of record.”

On that point, at least, the two agree. “She’s a mighty force, and I certainly agree she has done a good deal for the gay world,” says Kramer. “She just wasn’t going to make this movie right.”
But there’s still hope for fans who dreamed of seeing Streisand in a movie version of The Normal Heart. The Oscar winner says she would consider playing Brookner in Glee creator Ryan Murphy’s planned adaptation starring Mark Ruffalo, although it would be difficult for her to let go of her creative vision for the movie. “If I could direct it today, I would direct it today,” Streisand says. “Because it’s been very hard for me to find a piece that I feel as passionate about. I mean, I love this play.”

Barbra Streisand Mentor Arthur Laurents Dies at 93

By Allison Waldman - Examiner.com

Arthur Laurents was a man of enormous talent, the writer of "Gypsy," "West Side Story" and "The Way We Were," he was also a theater director and one of his claims to fame was directing Barbra Streisand in "I Can Get It For You Wholesale." Today, May 6, Arthur Laurents died at the age of 93. He'd lived a rich life and even in these last months of his life, he was intimately involved in a proposed film version of "Gypsy" that would star Streisand.

There are many obituaries about Laurents being published today and there will be tributes to the man who left behind a legacy of amazing work. In addition to the aforementioned works, he also directed the Broadway version of "La Cage Aux Folles" in 1983, wrote the Alfred Hitchcock film "Rope," and penned the screenplay of "The Turning Point." There seemed to be nothing much that Laurents couldn't do if he set his mind to it.

Arthur Laurents' life was interwoven with Barbra Streisand's in many ways, not the least of which was his first spotting her talent in "I Can Get It For You Wholesale." It was at that juncture in Streisand's career when her vast talent and ambition were yet harnessed by her or anyone else. She was a brilliant, but undisciplined performer. Working in a Broadway musical, under Laurents' direction, Streisand learned. It was a contentious collaboration and the two butted heads. However, both got what they wanted from "Wholesale." Streisand catapulted to instant fame by stopping the show every night of the run. Laurents got a star turn that held together a ramshackled musical that would have closed in a week if not for Streisand's "Miss Marmelstein" solo.

Whether they clashed professionally, it didn't matter when all was said and done. "Wholesale" succeeded in buliding a friendship between Barbra and Arthur, one that would last decades. Laurents had taught Barbra many things in "Wholesale," things she would later use when she became a director herself. And Laurents saw in Barbra a once in a lifetime performer. He knew he wanted to work with her again, and he made it happen.

Laurents wrote "The Way We Were" for Barbra Streisand. The character of Katie Morosky was based on a woman he'd known in college -- a woman ironically named Fanny Price -- but she was pure Streisand. Laurents had captured Barbra's soul with that character. When Barbra received the 50-page treatment he'd written, she knew instantly that she had to play Katie…and so she did.

"The Way We Were" wasn't all Arthur Laurents had wanted it to be, and he loudly complained that Barbra and director Sydney Pollack and producer Ray Stark had mucked it up. His vision was less glamourous. He wanted more politics and less love story. Whatever his regrets, though, Laurents could not deny the film's success. Nearly 38 years after it arrived in movie theaters, "The Way We Were" remains one of the greatest romantic movies of all time. In the dozens of biographies of Laurents that have been published today, "The Way We Were" is as much a part of his legacy as "West Side Story" and "Gypsy."

Currently, Barbra has just begun filming "My Mother's Curse," a comedy in which she'll play Seth Rogen's mother. It'll be in theaters next spring, and perhaps after that, Barbra's interpretation of "Gypsy" will be filming or in post-production. Maybe yes, maybe no. Hopefully it will be yes. And if it is, I look forward to seeing it and watching for the film's dedication which should and -- in my opinion -- must be to Arthur Laurents.

Walking Streisand Encyclopedia Discusses “America’s First Voice”

Streisand Historian and BarbraNews-Friend, Allison J. Waldman, talks to Michael Roman of Simply-Showbiz in a GREAT interview:

http://simply-showbiz.com/blog/archives/4217

Barbra Streisand Presents President William Jefferson Clinton with Public Counsel's William O. Douglas Award

Hi everyone -- On the 49th anniversary of Barbra's opening on Broadway in I Can Get It For You Wholesale.

(Remember, It was just after Marty discovered Barbra in the neo-natal unit of Brooklyn hospital!).

I have added Barbra's speech from Friday night along with the approved photographs here:

http://www.barbrastreisand.com/us/news/barbra-streisand-presents-president-william-jefferson-clinton-public-counsels-william-o-douglas

Gypsy: Don't Believe What You Read.

One thing I've learned since becoming a Barbra fan is never believe what you read. Barbra wrote a song with those very lyrics in 1977 on her multi platinum album 'Superman' - and I always remind myself of those very words when I read an article relating to Barbra.

Earlier this year, Barbra confirmed to the LA Times that she would be doing her first musical since Yentl in 1983 by starring in a new big screen version of Gypsy -- it would be a bookend to Funny Girl.

Since the LA Times interview, there has been a flurry of reports and articles stating that Gypsy is dead in the water.

It's worth reminding yourself of those 1977 lyrics again - as Gypsy is far from dead.

Sources close to Barbra are telling me it's a very active project - and Barbra will play Mama Rose. All being well, and once contracts are signed off, the film will be made at Universal Pictures.

The way Barbra's life and career is reported in the media should never be taken as gospel... and the truth alert section of her website is a very valuable tool. This is one of those occasions when writers should have waited for something more official to be announced, instead of jumping on the band wagon and not giving Gypsy the chance it deserves.

I look forward to seeing Barbra Streisand as Mama Rose in 2012/13. No doubts.

Barbra Presents Clinton with Award...

Streisand presents Clinton with the 2011 William O. Douglas award at the Public Counsel's 40th anniversary event in Beverly Hills

2002 Barbra/Barry Manilow Duet "I Won't Be The One To Let Go" - To Be Released on New Album

Order: Duets

Barbra to introduce Bill Clinton at Award Ceremony

President Bill Clinton to Speak at Public Counsel's Annual Event Celebrating 40 Years of Service for American Families, Youth and Veterans

Forty-second President Will Receive 2011 William O. Douglas Award Presented by the Legendary Singer/Actress Barbra Streisand

LOS ANGELES, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the 42nd President of the United States, will receive Public Counsel's 2011 William O. Douglas Award at its annual event on March 18. The former president will be introduced by actress/singer Barbra Streisand.

"Public Counsel is thrilled to honor President Clinton as we celebrate 40 years of fighting for the rights of families, persecuted immigrants and veterans," said Hernan Vera, Public Counsel's President and CEO. "Our nation faces huge challenges in educating our children, protecting our returning veterans, and helping Americans hurt in the economic crisis get back on their feet. We are proud to share President Clinton's vision for America as a land of opportunity and equality for all."

Public Counsel will also honor CBS Television, which will receive the Corporate Achievement Award, and the law firm of Irell & Manella LLP, which will receive the Law Firm Pro Bono Award.

What: President Bill Clinton to be honored at Public Counsel's William O. Douglas Dinner

Actress/singer Barbra Streisand to introduce President Clinton

When: Friday, March 18, 2011
5:00 P.M. Arrivals and Red Carpet
6:00 P.M. Dinner

Where: Beverly Hilton Hotel
9876 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

About Public Counsel: Public Counsel was founded in 1970 and is the nation's largest nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services through a partnership with the nation's top law firms. We provide free legal services to more than 30,000 people every year, including children in the foster-care system, persecuted immigrants seeking asylum and American military veterans. The William O. Douglas Award is named for the late Supreme Court justice noted for his support for civil rights and freedom of speech. Learn more at www.publiccounsel.org

SOURCE Public Counsel

Barbra at Nomad Two Worlds Exhibition

Designer Donna Karan, Photographer Russell James and Barbra Streisand at Nomad Two Worlds Exhibition Opening Celebration Hosted By Donna Karan And Russell James held at 59 Pier Studios on February 22, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

LITTLE FOCKERS coming to DVD and Blu-ray

BEN STILLER AND ROBERT DE NIRO RETEAM WITH THE HILARIOUS CAST OF BELOVED CHARACTERS IN THE #1 COMEDY BLOCKBUSTER LITTLE FOCKERS. COMING APRIL 5, 2011.

Arrives on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD - Featuring an Alternate Opening and Ending - as Well as on Digital Download and On-Demand From Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Both the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and the DVD are packed with extras, including deleted scenes, a hilarious gag reel, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Little Fockers and a never-before-seen alternate opening and ending not shown in theaters! The two-disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack offers fans three different ways to catch up with the Focker family. The set includes a Blu-ray™ and DVD copy of film; and for a limited time only, a digital copy of the movie that can be viewed on an array of electronic and portable devices anytime, anywhere.

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAYTM:
BLU-RAY™ EXCLUSIVE FEATURETTES:

• Bob and Ben: Cast members Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro reflect on their history and their characters’ evolution throughout the Meet the Parents trilogy.
• Ben and Owen: On average, every 1.3 years Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller share the silver screen. Little Fockers marks their 10th movie together. In this dual interview, Ben and Owen reveal the secrets of their shared success.

BLU-RAYTM and DVD BONUS FEATURES:

• GAG REEL
• DELETED SCENES
• NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN ALTERNATE OPENING AND ENDING

BEHIND THE SCENES:

• MAKING OF A GODFOCKER: A behind-the-scenes look at Little Fockers. Everyone’s back in this knock down, drag out third installment of the Meet the Parents Trilogy and this piece brings it all together. Featuring the return of cast members, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner and Terri Polo and newcomers, Harvey Keitel, Jessica Alba and Laura Dern.
• BOUT TIME: A fun behind-the-scenes look at the climatic fight scene where Greg and Jack finally throw down the gloves.
• THE FOCKER FOOT LOCKER: A string of clips from the film of every time someone utters a version of “Focker.”
• THEATRICAL TRAILERS AND MORE!

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
BLU-RAY™

• Street Date: April 5, 2011
• Running Time: 1 Hour 38 Minutes
• Picture Format: Widescreen
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles
• Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Spanish DTS Surround 5.1, French (Canadian) DTS Surround 5.1

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD

• Street Date: April 5, 2011
• Running Time: 1 Hour 38 Minutes
• Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles
• Sound: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French (Canadian) Dolby Digital 5.1