Hi! I'm Matt Howe, and I created this site. Thanks for dropping by![2011 news has been archived here ] [Follow me on Twitter!]
Welcome to Barbra-Archives!
<-- I am now using Twitter to report Streisand-related news stories, so watch my Twitter feed in the left-hand column, and click the links to read the stories.
Significant news and rumors about Streisand's career are below.
May 17, 2012
Donna Summer ... Last Dance
(Above: Streisand and Summer, 1979, photo by Scavullo)
A whole generation of music lovers mourns the passing of Donna Summer, who died today from cancer. Many loved her disco hits of the 1970s, including Last Dance, I Feel Love, MacArthur Park, and On the Radio.
Streisand fans will always mark her duet with Donna Summer on No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) as a highlight of the 70s and both of their careers. You can read more about this famous duet here and here on Barbra-Archives.
Barbra was quick to issue a statement today. Of her friend Donna Summer, Barbra said:
I was shocked to hear about Donna. She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago. I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented ... It's so sad.
May 14, 2012
More Brooklyn Pre-sale! Today @ 3:00 pm EDT
From Barbra's concert team:
There will be a second Barbrastreisand.com pre-sale TODAY, May 14, at 3pm EDT. If you still have your pre-sale code, you can go to Ticketmaster.com at 3pm to pre-order tickets.
If you still don't have a pre-sale code, click HERE to sign up for the Barbrastreisand.com mailing list to receive your code.
Tickets will be available to the general public on May 21 at 10am EDT.
Previously, BarbraStreisand.com had posted:
SAVE YOUR PRE-SALE CODES!!!
We will have more seats available for pre-sale on May 14th for the October 11th Barclays Arena Show.
Please check back at BarbraStreisand.com on Monday (14 May) when we will announce the time that more tickets will be available to purchase using your codes.
We apologize to those who were unable to secure tickets from our limited allotment, and we are doing everything we can to accomodate as many fans as possible.
Sondheim Talks GYPSY
Steven Sondheim (lyrics for Gypsy) told the Cleveland Plain Dealer about his input for the movie.
I already have had some [in "Gypsy"], but it hasn't quite gotten that far. There's not even a draft of the script. I had a little input with the guy who's writing it [Julian Fellowes, creator of "Downton Abbey"]. I said to him, "When you want to talk, we'll talk."
May 9-10, 2012
Brooklyn's Favorite Daughter to Perform at Barclays Center
Look at Barbra's official site for all the details.
The Brooklyn-born and raised, world-acclaimed superstar will perform a concert on Thursday, October 11th, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center, the new 19,000-seat sports and entertainment venue. Tickets will be available to the general public on May 21 .
The pre-sale will begin Saturday, May 12, at 10am EDT. [Pre-sale codes available at BarbraStreisand.com.]
[P.S. I've confirmed that any of the early emails that went out with a Thursday pre-sale date were not correct! Saturday, folks. May 12!]
Barclays Center chief executive Brett Yormark told Newsday that the tickets will range from $90 to $650, with $1,500 tickets available during pre-sale.
Also, please note that he also told Newday that they may add another concert date later. “The consumer will dictate that,” Yormark said. “If that situation presents itself, we'll encourage the appropriate parties to do that.”
Guilt Trip Date Changed!
Paramount has moved The Guilt Trip, Barbra's upcoming mother-son-road-trip film with Seth Rogen from November 2 to Christmas day! This news comes as the trailer for the film is expected to hit the internets on Sunday—Mother's Day.
This is good news, by the way, as Christmas day is a high-profile release slot. Other films released that day are Django Unchained, The Great Gatsby, and Playing The Field.
Streisand & Clinton Benefit Together
Barbra Streisand has brought Bill Clinton onboard as a special guest for a benefit she’s planning at her Malibu home with James Brolin, June 14. The event — dubbed “Follow Your Heart” — will benefit the Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai, and Streisand will perform at the bash along with Josh Groban, David Foster and other “surprise performances,” sources tell us. A premium ticket, costing about $100,000, gets guests a picture with Babs and Bill, sources say, but the ducats start at close to $12,000. Invitations to the event began hitting high-profile mailboxes yesterday. The dress code, according to the invite, is “Informal Chic.”
May 8, 2012
Barbra News Tidbits
Here's some updates and news for us Streisand fans:
- Barbra in Brooklyn ... We're waiting for the official announcement—probably due this week—but the basic gist that's been reported in New York papers and around the internet is that Streisand will perform probably two dates at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn this Fall. No dates have been announced yet. The CEO of the Brooklyn Nets—whose home is Barclays Center— Tweeted on Saturday: Big announcement this week re the barclays center. I mean big. Very exciting times for brooklyn.
- Mort Lindsey Has Died ... Variety reports: Orchestra leader, arranger, composer and musical director Mort Lindsey died in his Malibu home on Friday, May 4. He was 89 and had been in declining health since breaking his hip. Lindsey was musical director on The Judy Garland Show when Streisand appeared and sang her duet of “Happy Days/Get Happy” with the legend; He conducted and arranged the music for Barbra's 1967 television special, The Belle of 14th Street; he also conducted some of Streisand's concerts in the 1960s including A Happening in Central Park (for which he won an Emmy Award), and the Hollywood Bowl. [Update: On May 9th, Barbra wrote on her official site: “I loved Mort. He was a doll. In a very real way, he was a dream come true for me. I first saw him when I was a teenager and got to attend a free Judy Garland concert. They were either taping it as a show or for a recording. Mort was on stage conducting for Judy, and I could sense how safe she felt with his judgements and encouragements. I stood there fantasizing that one day I would work with him too. And then, that one day arrived and we worked together many wonderful times. He was great.”] — FYI, Garland recorded her album in New York at the Manhattan Center on April 25, 1962.
- All About Barbra ... the newest birthday issue of the U.K.-produced magazine, according to editor Lynne Pounder, has been mailed by the printer and should be arriving in mail boxes shortly.
- Barbrafile-ing ... Allison Waldman (The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook author) sure has been Barbra-busy lately. You've checked out her Barbra-themed videocasts, right? Also her Streisand articles at Examiner? Now she writes: “I'm happy to announce that new Barbra book project that I've been talking about for the past month or so has launched! It's a new book all about Barbra Streisand fans! I hope you'll all read about it and get involved in making this dream a reality! Just go here to BARBRA MEMORIES where you can see the video and read all about the details.”
- Gypsy ... No news lately on Barbra's big screen adaptation of the Jule Styne musical Gypsy. Last we heard [officially] Julian Fellowes was hired to write the screenplay. It is curious that two directors attended Barbra's birthday celebration two weeks ago: Warren Beatty and Steven Spielberg. Why, just last December Spielberg was quoted saying, “I'd love to do an old-fashioned musical, where the characters talk to each other and then they sing to each other,” Spielberg said. “I'm such a fan of the Hollywood musical, but I haven't found the right subject matter or the right book or the right music to throw myself into one of them. Someday I will.” Hmmm. Spielberg is in postproduction for his December 2012 film Lincoln. Then he's due to shoot Robopocalypse in July-September 2012. Then, apparently, his schedule opens up. Hmmmm.
- Liz Smith ... Liz writes: Get this: I hear Barbra is confabbing with Harry Connick Jr., to help her produce a new album of old songs — songs from “Funny Girl” in fact!
May 1, 2012
Happy Anniversary Barbra Archives!
Wow! It was 9 years ago that I started this site!
May 2003 ...
Time sure does fly when you're having fun.
It also helps when the subject of this site has such an amazing and multi-faceted career.
So ... thanks for visiting, everybody. I'll keep up with Barbra in the very busy years to come!
April 25, 2012
Barbra Celebrates
Barbra celebrated her 70th birthday with a dinner at Taverna Tony's Greek restaurant in Malibu, California.
Guests included: hubby Jim Brolin; friend Donna Karan; Jane Fonda and boyfriend Richard Perry (who produced Barbra's Stoney End album); Joel Silver (producer of the upcoming Gypsy film); John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston; Quincy Jones; Richard Jay-Alexander; Josh Brolin and Diane Lane; Warren Beatty; Kenny G; Steven Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw; Pierce Brosnan; and Patricia Arquette.
Barbra told People magazine: “It was an intimate magical event with only very close friends, people I've known and loved more than 20 years ... The highlight of the evening was my son's film that he made for me. People kept asking, 'Who is that singing?' And when I said it was Jason, everyone was blown away by the beauty and soulfulness of his voice. Quincy Jones wanted to sign him on the spot.”
She also revealed: “My friends made it an evening of surprises for me, flying in the remarkable Israeli mentalist and gifting me with the performance of my favorite singer, Johnny Mathis, and many, many more highlights.”
Mathis sang two songs for Barbra and her guests: “You'll Never Know” and “The Way He (She) Makes Me Feel.” Jason Gould's film included his vocal of “Nature Boy.”
April 24, 2012
Happy Birthday, Barbra Streisand!
Today is Barbra's birthday.
Barbra,
With great respect and admiration, I want to wish you a very Happy Day. Hoping you are celebrating with people (and food!) you love.
Thanks for all you do. And all that is to come.
Here's a toast:
May all your storms be weathered, and all that's good get better.
Here's to Life,
Here's to Love,
Here's to YOU!
Matt :)
April 19, 2012
Barbra Streisand Makes Surprise Visit To Smiley & West To Pay Tribute To Iconic Composers Alan And Marilyn Bergman
This weekend, Tavis Smiley and Cornel West, co-hosts of Smiley & West distributed by Public Radio International (PRI), pay tribute to the Academy Award®-winning husband-and-wife songwriting duo Alan and Marilyn Bergman - and enjoy a surprise visit from legendary singer and philanthropist, Barbra Streisand. Smiley and West pay homage to the Bergman's stellar lyrical career and learn the secrets behind their 54 year marriage.
Unbeknownst to either the hosts or the guests, Barbra Streisand surprised everyone by calling in to reflect on her long friendship with the Bergmans. Streisand, who was just 18 years old when they met, became the Bergman's muse and recorded a vast number of their songs including "The Way We Were", "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?", and the soundtrack to "Yentl."
"It's the integrity of the lyric, the imagination of the lyric, the poetry of the lyric," Streisand said, reflecting on the Bergman's lyrical genius. "It just has great depth. I don't know of anyone that comes close to them."
Last year, Streisand recorded an entire album in tribute to the Bergmans titled "What Matters Most." West took the opportunity to wish Streisand a happy birthday in advance of her natal day, Tuesday, April 24.
This special conversation can be heard across the country and on www.smileyandwest.com starting this Friday, April 20.
April 10, 2012
All About Barbra #72
From editor Lynne Pounder:
HURRY HURRY, DON'T BE LATE! All About Barbra is printing and shipping out! Make sure of your order now! Packed with all the usual indepth features, articles and great pictures!
You can order the magazine directly from Lynne's site, AllAboutBarbra.com
March 13, 2012
Gypsy Announcement!
Received the following press release from Universal ...
Producers Barbra Streisand and Joel Silver have set Academy Award®-winning writer Julian Fellowes to pen the screenplay adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ Tony Award winning musical,Gypsy, which Ms. Streisand and Mr. Silver are currently developing for Universal Pictures. Ms. Streisand will portray “Momma Rose” in the new version, her first musical film sinceYentl in which the Oscar®-winning actress and iconic singer starred, produced, co-wrote and directed in 1983.
Fellowes won the Original Screenplay Academy Award® for Gosford Park and most recently earned the Emmy and Golden Globe for creating and writing the acclaimed miniseries,Downton Abbey. His musical theatre work includes adapting the script for Disney’s stage production of Mary Poppins.
Gypsy has exhilarated audiences on both stage and screen since its first Broadway run in 1959 with Ethel Merman. Since then, the compelling story based on the memoirs of the famous striptease artist, Gypsy Rose Lee, has spawned numerous reincarnations including the 1962 film starring Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood, four Broadway revivals, as well as a made-for-television movie.
A celebrated artist, Streisand has gathered Oscar®, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Directors Guild of America and Golden Globe awards, winning Oscars® for both, Best Actress (Funny Girl) and Best Original Song (for her composition of “Evergreen” from her production ofA Star Is Born).
Gypsy marks Silver’s first foray into Broadway movie musicals after a career of producing several commercially-successful films including the Lethal Weapon, The Matrix, Die Hard and Sherlock Holmes franchises.
Amazing news! Can't tell you all how much I enjoy Downton Abbey. Fellowes seems perfect for the job; he's also already worked on a musical, so he's familiar with the territory... now if they'd only announce who's directing! (One of my top choices is pictured with Streisand below!)
I believe we won't see Gypsy till Holiday 2013 ....
March 12, 2012
Streisand & Spielberg Meet Peres
From the L.A. Times ...
Israeli President Shimon Peres told a movie and television industry audience at the DreamWorks Animation studio lot in Glendale on Friday that Hollywood often wields more influence across the globe than world leaders do.
"The children believe the actors more than politicians," Peres said to a crowd that included Billy Crystal, Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross, CBS chief Les Moonves and Sony Pictures Chief Executive Michael Lynton, among other Hollywood executives.
March 8, 2012
Streisand at “8”
Here's a photo of James Brolin and Barbra Streisand Saturday, March 3 at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. They attended the L.A. premiere of a new play by Dustin Lance Black, “8.”
A Benefit Reading for Marriage Equality presented by American Foundation for Equal Rights, Broadway Impact & Presenting Sponsor Bryan Singer.
February 28, 2012
Mother's Curse Renamed
From Hollywood Reporter ...
[Paramount] is changing the name of the previously titled Seth Rogen-Barbra Streisand comedy My Mother's Curse to The Guilt Trip. The film's release date of Nov. 2 remains the same.
Barbra on the Oscars
Did everyone catch Barbra's brief appearance in the pre-filmed mini-documentary segment by “Moneyball” director Bennett Miller?
Hello, gorgeous!
Speaking about the magic of the movies, Streisand said: “I could dream there. I could become anything I want. I could be part of the film. I could dream about my own future...”
February 22, 2012
Streisand Re-Signs With Columbia Records, Will Celebrate 50 Years
From today's Hollywood Reporter story, and the announcement on Barbra's official website:
“From the day Goddard Lieberson signed me almost 50 years ago, Columbia Records has been my recording home, and I am thrilled to continue that partnership for many years to come,” said Streisand in a statement.
Columbia Records will release a 12 DVD set, giving unprecedented access into her professional and personal life. The DVD set will consist of never before seen footage directly from Barbra’s archives, as well as milestones from her illustrious career.
More Barbra!
Here's some more news & tidbits about Barbra Streisand ...
- Despite my post below, I just learned that Paramount is screening My Mother's Curse again this week in the L.A.-area ... and it's titled The Guilt Trip on the invitation! I can't figure out if they're using a “decoy title” or if they're seriously considering renaming the picture. It's due out in theaters November 2, 2012. [Description: A young inventor feeling guilty about not spending enough time with his widowed mother, invites her on a business sales road trip as he attempts to sell a new organic cleaning product he invented to marketing outlets. She agrees to come - but both seem to have ulterior motives - and they aren't about selling cleaning products! He hopes to reunite his mother with a man she loved earlier in life, while his mother hopes to use this time together to help him overcome his "curse" of non-commitment in relationships. The Guilt Trip is the latest comedy from the writer of CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE and the director of THE PROPOSAL. The movie stars SETH ROGEN and BARBRA STREISAND. The movie has not yet been rated.]
- Hello, Gorgeous: Becoming Barbra Streisand by William Mann is due for release November 6, 2012 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I can't speak about it until it is released, but I'd like to tell the Barbra fans out there that—until Barbra writes her own autobiography—this book is the best Streisand bio in years! Its scope covers 1960 through Barbra's opening in Funny Girl on Broadway ... Pre-Order Link is here.
- Sunday is the Oscar telecast on ABC at 7:00 EST. Maybe Barbra will present? (She is not on the list of presenters so far...)
February 16, 2012
Streisand News Update
Hi everyone! I'm back from a short vacation and catching up on things. Here's some Streisand news ....
- My Mother's Curse — Barbra's new road trip film with Seth Rogen is due out in theaters on November 2, 2012. Based on some movie theater booking info I received, this date looks pretty firm. It's interesting to note that the film is being released by Paramount Vantage, the specialty film division of Paramount Pictures. It also looks as if the idea of retitling the film Guilt Trip has been dropped. I'm betting we probably won't start seeing photos, a trailer or posters for this movie until about May 2012. By the way, at this point it looks like My Mother's Curse's only competition that weekend at the box office is a Disney film, Wreck-It Ralph.
- I'm sure you all have read about the death of Whitney Houston. On her official website, Barbra wrote: “She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us.”
- The venerable Tony Bennett won the Grammy this year for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album—Streisand was nominated in the same category for her album of Bergman tunes.
- No news is .... ? Just for the record, there's no new news on Gypsy, although I've heard some interesting rumors about a director—whose Broadway show is in previews—and costars (best rumor so far: Kurt Russell as Herbie—fantastic!). From what I've heard, Gypsy is still moving forward, and there will be a period of preproduction before they begin filming. No word on who's writing the screenplay or how they'll handle the issue of Barbra's age—although I hear they are shrewdly and creatively trying to address it ... All signs point to a Holiday 2013 release.
- Barbra's 50th celebration with Columbia—from what I hear (and based on strategies of the past) I would bet we'll see some “Streisand product” around Mother's Day (Barbra's concert DVDs sold very well at that time a few years ago), and probably a “rarities” CD collection around the time Mother's Curse comes out (so Barbra can plug both her movie and the CD set). It'd be disappointing if the music business and the depressed state of the CD changes the plans for Barbra's anniversary, which is always possible. I'm hoping we'll get something special since this is her anniversary year with Columbia.
- Finally, it's possible all these items will be collected into one big announcement for maximum impact. Fans need not worry—Team Streisand is active ... they're just not talking about it yet.
January 9, 2012
Looking at “Barbra: A Retrospective”
The folks at Sterling were kind enough to send an advance copy of the new book Barbra: A Retrospective by Allegra Rossi, which is due out in the U.S. February 7, 2012.
Streisand fans will want to add this book to their collection. It's a handsome, coffee table book and features some nice, large-scale photographs of Streisand from the 1960s through today. The book is similar to some of the other “coffee table-esque” Streisand books, like Barbra Streisand by Nick Yapp.
The book's text travels through Streisand's career—no new information is contributed to the Streisand tale, but Ms. Rossi hits all the usual highlights. Streisand's record catalog is included throughout the book, with reproductions of the album art and track listings. Streisand's films are covered, too. A still from the set of My Mother's Curse even appears in the book, making it very current. The photographs in the book are of good quality and there's a special few that fans will enjoy, like some on-the-set photos from Other Musical Instruments.
Until Columbia Records releases some 50th Anniversary product in 2012, and before My Mother's Curse is released to theaters, Streisand fans can get their “Barbra fix” by leafing through Barbra: A Retrospective.
You can order it below via the Amazon.com link ...
January 4, 2012
Happy New Year!
Wishing all the Streisand fans out there a Happy 2012!
I've archived all the 2011 Streisand news here.
New Barbra Book Coming
Barbra: A Retrospective is a new, 288-page hardcover book with jacket and color photos from Sterling which is due to publish on Februrary 7, 2012. They describe the book as: "This large-format, fully illustrated book celebrates her uniquely brilliant career with hundreds of rarely published photographs, album artwork, memorabilia, annotated lists, and special in-depth features on everything from her trend-setting style to her transcendent voice. Streisand's millions of fans will delight in the treasures they'll discover inside, as they follow Barbra from her Brooklyn childhood to her nightclub appearances, emergence as a Broadway star, rise to Hollywood legend…and beyond."
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