An American Reunion: The 52nd Presidential Inaugural Gala
Broadcast on CBS, January 19, 1993
Directed by: Dwight Hemion
Produced by: Smith-Hemion Productions
Executive Producers: Gary Smith, Harry Thomason, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Producers: Gary Smith, Dwight Hemion
Writer: Buz Kohan
CBS broadcast this all-star Gala for President Clinton's Inauguration. Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow and Michael Jackson contributed their talents. Performed at the US Air Arena in Landover, Maryland, Barbra closed the show with a mini-concert.
Glamorous couple Warren Beatty and Annette Benning introduced Barbra, who was greeted with a standing ovation. She wore what New York Times' writer Anne Taylor Fleming called a "peekaboo power suit" by Donna Karan.
Barbra sang three songs: Evergreen (dedicated to President and Mrs. Clinton), Children Will Listen (with a spoken bridge), and God Bless America. The audience gave her a standing ovation after each song!
(At the dress rehearsal the evening before, Barbra performed Some Enchanted Evening. For the actual broadcast, Barbra did not perform it, perhaps because her segment was already several minutes long.)
Barbra introduced Bill Clinton, then hugged him as he took the stage.
An incredible performance ... and a preview of Barbra's return to the concert stage at the end of 1993.
Screen captures on this page courtesy of Mark Boyce.
copyright © 2003-2008 Matt Howe
