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2008 Barbra Streisand News
2007 News Archived | 2006 News Archived | 2005 News Archived |
2004 News Archived | 2003 News Archived
May 2008
13 May 2008
Endeavor Agency Signs Barbra Streisand
Endeavor's press release:
Los Angeles, May 13, 2008…Actress, director, producer, writer, singer, composer Barbra Streisand has signed with Endeavor. She is the only artist who has been celebrated with Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, Peabody and American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award honors. Her company Barwood Films will also be represented by the agency.
Streisand’s acting career includes such classics as “Funny Girl,” “Hello, Dolly,” What’s Up, Doc?,” “The Way We Were,” “A Star is Born,” “Yentl,” “The Prince of Tides,” and most recently “Meet the Fockers,” the only live-action comedy feature to earn over a half-billion dollars worldwide. She has directed three motion pictures, “Yentl,” “The Prince of Tides” and “The Mirror has Two Faces.” The prolific producer’s work includes socially conscious projects such as PBS’ “The Living Century,” the Humanitas Award-honored “What Makes a Family” and the Holocaust-related “Rescuers: Stories of Courage.” Streisand remains the award standard in music among female artists with 50 gold, 30 platinum and 13 multi-platinum albums. She is the only female artist to have achieved #1 albums in four consecutive decades, and the only one with eight number one discs.
“We are thrilled and honored to be working with Barbra Streisand,” said the Endeavor partners in a joint statement. “Her work as an actor and filmmaker is legendary.” The partners made the announcement with Streisand’s career-long manager Marty Erlichman.
A devoted political and social activist, Ms. Streisand has, through performances, raised tens of millions of dollars for Democratic campaigns and The Streisand Foundation has channeled more than $35 million to non-profit charities and social causes around the world.
Listed today at deadlinehollywooddaily.com:
Endeavor talent agency will represent both Barbra Streisand as an actress, director and producer as well as her Barwood Films. The Hollywood legend's longtime manager Marty Erlichman will continue to principally help guide her career. Streisand had been with ICM but it's been quite some time since she's starred in a movie (2004's Meet The Fockers) or directed one (1996's The Mirror Has Two Faces). However, she has been an active executive producer in television. And, of course, she's a busy recording artist. I understand Babs now intends to become more active in all entertainment arenas.
12 May 2008
CONCERT SPECIAL COMING IN NOVEMBER
From Army Archerd's column:
Gary Smith is also completing work as producer-director on the DVD version of Barbra Streisand's cross-country 2007 concert tour. It will first air as a TV special in Nov. followed by the DVD...
08 May 2008
Streisand Honors Bergmans at ASCAP
(From left) Larry Gelbart, Norman Lear, Quincy Jones, ASCAP Founders Award honoree Alan Bergman, Barbra Streisand, ASCAP Founders Award honoree Marilyn Bergman, Lari White and Norman Jewison (photo by Lester Cohen/Wireimage.com courtesy of ASCAP)
Excerpted from an article by Jon Burlingame:
An all-star lineup, including a surprise appearance by Barbra Streisand, paid tribute to lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman before a crowd of 1,000 at the annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards Tuesday, May 6, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel ...
... Streisand appeared near the end of the 40-minute presentation following a film clip from The Way We Were that featured her vocal of the title song, one of the Bergmans' most memorable lyrics (with music by Marvin Hamlisch). Streisand recalled that she first met the team when she was 18 years old, adding that "they have been such an integral part of my life and career. Their words move me every time I sing them. Their gifts have enriched my life and all of our lives."
Photo: Matt Sayles
Photo: Matt Sayles
05 May 2008
Streisand in Vanity Fair (June)
* Thanks to Paul Murray for the scan
01 May 2008
Streisand Honors Karan
A candid photo of Barbra and her friend Donna Karan appeared in a recent issue of In Style magazine. Barbra attended the Women's Guild Luncheon where Cedars-Sinai paid tribute to Karan for her work "to promote integrative health care through her Urban Zen initiative." In Style reported that Emily Deschanel (from TV's Bones) squealed, "Oh my god, it's Barbra Streisand!"
April 2008
22 April 2008
Streisand not in Israel
According to a news report by the Associated Press:
Israel says Barbra Streisand has pulled out of a celebration of the country's 60th anniversary next month.
Streisand was one of the big-name guests slated to appear at a Jerusalem convention hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres beginning May 13.
The American diva was supposed to perform a rendition of the Hebrew prayer Avinu Malkeinu, or "Our Father Our King."
But Peres' office said Tuesday that Streisand has now announced she will not be coming. It says she gave no reason for the sudden cancellation.
Streisand's publicist issued the following statement to clarify:
"Ms. Streisand, a devoted supporter of Israel since her earliest youth, very regrettably was compelled to advise President Peres' office two weeks ago that personal obligations would prevent her participation in Israel's 60th anniversary celebration. She celebrates as always the nation's courage and purpose and flourishing democracy and is saddened that she cannot be there to do so in person."
16 April 2008
Streisand gives $5 million to hospital
A bold new resource for women’s heart health, The Barbra Streisand Women’s
Cardiovascular Research and Education Program at Cedars-Sinai, has been created
with a philanthropic gift of $5 million. The gift brings to nearly $16 million
the money raised from her recent concert tours she has directed to charitable distribution in the areas of education, the environment, women’s health, and other key civic concerns.
“Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women,” says Eduardo Marbán, MD, PhD, director at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. “It kills nearly 500,000 women in the U.S. each year, more than all cancers combined. The medical system has failed to recognize female-pattern heart attack symptoms; current testing and treatments are geared toward male physiology.”
Ms. Streisand, who has contributed to women’s health programs through the Streisand Foundation since 1986, explained: “Women need to be educated about female cardiovascular disease, and the medical community must be propelled toward change. Just like with breast cancer, the impetus must come from women themselves striving to become empowered to reduce their risks for heart disease.”
Streisand’s endowment will provide permanent funding for research and education at the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Heart Center, which will empower women with vital information about female cardiovascular disease and raise awareness of the disease within the medical community. It will expand current and future research efforts and create breakthrough diagnostics, treatments and technologies. It will facilitate better understanding of gender differences in heart disease, with the aim of improving treatment options for women at risk for, or suffering from heart disease.
March 2008
28 March 2008
FREE BARBRA @ BORDERS
Since there is not a lot of Streisand news lately, Matt would like to point out a great Barbra-Deal!
Borders stores has a series of postcards available for FREE. There are 5 sets of postcards containing 10 cards each. Grammy winners appear on all the postcards.
A great, vintage photo of Streisand is in the postcard set that has John Legend.
Since the 50th Grammys are over, it's possible that some Borders stores will no longer have the free postcards. However, I found them at the big Borders store in downtown D.C., displayed in the music section.
February 2008
25 February 2008
BARBRA APPEARS ON 80TH OSCAR SHOW
Barbra Streisand appeared in a short segment, the first of the telecast that evening, in which she reminisced about winning her Oscar for Funny Girl.
REST IN PEACE, DAVID WATKIN
Yentl's cinematographer, David Watkin, passed away on 19 February 2008 at the age of 82.
Hopefully, a proper tribute will be done to him on the YENTL DVD, which still has no official release date. His work on Streisand's first directorial film was painterly and beautiful.
January 2008
STREISAND @ CLINTON RECEPTION
Photo by flickr.com/photos/hildasolis/2240694454/
31 Jan 2008 — Barbra introduced Hillary Clinton at a reception following the Democratic debate at the Kodak Theater. The reception was held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Lisa Johnson Mandel attended and wrote:
"As jaded as I have am about movie stars, I have to admit I still became a little verklempt when the ultimate, gracious diva, Barbra Streisand, stood up to introduce Senator Clinton. Streisand is truly a star for the ages, wearing a demure black suit, showing just the right amount of cleavage, with gorgeous yet discrete diamonds glittering around her neck. In a time when young Hollywood embarrasses itself constantly in the tabloids, it was nice to be reminded of true grace and glamour, with nary a “like, um, ya know?” or a tattoo in sight."
Streisand has posted her introductory speech at her official site >>
DWIGHT HEMION PASSES
30 Jan 2008 — Legendary TV producer-director Dwight Hemion, who held the record for the most Emmy nominations (47) and who won 17 times, died Monday of kidney failure at age 81, a source said.
Hemion directed and produced most of Barbra's television specials, including My Name is Barbra*, Color Me Barbra, Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments*, Funny Girl to Funny Lady, One Voice, and The Concert. Hemion was the man who staged Barbra's gorgeous self-duet of "One Less Bell To Answer" on Singer Presents Burt Bacharach (1971). He also directed Barbra's appearance at Clinton's Inauguration in 1993.
*Hemion won Emmy Awards for directing these Streisand specials.
"Streisand was great to light," Hemion told National Public Radio in 2002. "She had great features and beautiful skin, great fingers. If ever you see her, look at her hands because that's what it's all about with her."
His partner was Gary Smith (Smith-Hemion Productions), who produced many of the shows mentioned above. Smith described Hemion as having "the best eye in the business" when he was interviewed by Mark Iskowitz in 1997.
Hemion was a major force in television and worked with many of the great performers like Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Julie Andrews, and Sammy Davis Jr.
STREISAND SINGS IN ISRAEL MAY 2008
As reported in the Jerusalem Post:
NOW IT'S official. Barbra Streisand will open the three-day Jerusalem Conference under the patronage of President Shimon Peres on May 13, in celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary of independence.
Peres announced last year that he would approach Streisand and ask her to sing Avinu Malkeinu at the opening of the conference, but at that time, although there was little doubt that she would not refuse the request of one of her most celebrated admirers, it was not known whether she had any other important event scheduled for that date. Peres told an AIPAC delegation last week that he had spoken to Streisand and that she had agreed to open the conference, which will also be attended by US President George W. Bush who is scheduled to arrive on May 14. The conference, under the umbrella title of "Tomorrow" will focus on the world at large on the first day, the Jewish world on the second day and Israel on the third day. Peres said that he expects some 2,000 people to attend, including numerous world leaders.
A NEW STREISAND SONG?
While Streisand fans patiently await the debut of Barbra's 2006 concert television special and TV special, here's a little something that's interesting about Barbra's possible recording future.
Anne Hampton Callaway, who has written several songs for Streisand in the past, (and whose sister, Liz Callaway, was Barbra's "sing-in" or stand-in for the 2006 concert tour), has written a song about global warming called "Tomorrow is Today".
"Barbra Streisand is apparently still considering recording the piece from what I've been told," Callaway wrote on her web site last year.
You can listen to Callaway's recording of "Tomorrow is Today" on her website here.
Anne Hampton Callaway wrote the lyrics to "I Dreamed of You" and Barbra also recorded her songs, "At the Same Time" and "Christmas Lullaby".
Barbra-Archives recommends Craig Hall's interview with Ms. Callaway here.
DOLLY CHOREOGRAPHER KIDD PASSES
In December 2007, choreographer Michael Kidd died. Kidd choreographed the dances for Barbra's film of Hello, Dolly! He is seen on the left in the photo above with Dolly director Gene Kelly.
From the AP story: "To moviegoers, Kidd was best known for the 1954 film "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," in which a bunch of earthy backwoodsmen (some of them really stage dancers) prance exuberantly with their prospective brides.
He also directed dances for Danny Kaye in "Knock on Wood," took Fred Astaire out of his top hat to play a private eye in a Mickey Spillane spoof in "The Band Wagon," and taught Marlon Brando how to hoof for "Guys and Dolls."
Barbra-Archives page about Hello, Dolly! is here.
ALL ABOUT BARBRA MAGAZINE #67
Editor Lynne Pounder has sent over a temporary [not final] cover of All About Barbra magazine #67, which is available for order over at the AAB site.
#67 is all about Barbra's 2007 European tour and features photos, reviews, set lists, etc. I believe my interview with Marilyn & Alan Bergman also appears in this issue (and what an honor that was!).
Issue 67 has not yet published. Pounder tells me that it should be available in Februrary 2008.
ALL ABOUT BARBRA is published by AB Publications and began in 1985. Published in the UK, it is a 28 page glossy magazine, compiled, researched and written by a group of dedicated fans based both in the UK and the USA.
Beautifully designed, each issue is a 'one-of-a-kind' collector's item. Packed with pictures, information and in-depth articles, each issue brings you all you need to, and want to know about your favourite artist - Barbra Streisand.
Matt of Barbra-Archives.com is a staff writer for the magazine and many of his interviews with Streisand associates have appeared in the magazine.
STREISAND — GRAMMY HALL OF FAME + GRAMMY AWARD NOM
From the press release:
"The Recording Academy announced the newest additions to its GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, adding 70 recordings to a timeless list that now includes 798 titles [...] "The GRAMMY Hall of Fame is one of The Academy's most prized endeavors, spotlighting recorded musical masterpieces that have significantly impacted our musical history," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy."
Barbra's single, "The Way We Were" (1974) was inducted.
Meanwhile, Barbra's album Live in Concert 2006 was nominated for "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album".
Barbra's last big win at the Grammys was in 1986 for "Best Pop Vocal Performance" on The Broadway Album.
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on Feb. 10, 2008, at 8 PM ET on CBS.
FYI, Barbra fans: Walter C. Miller is directing this year's 50th Annual Grammy show. He co-directed Barbra's 1967 CBS television show, The Belle of 14th Street. Do ya think Barbra will appear on this year's Grammy show??
STREISAND TV SPECIAL ON NBC [unconfirmed]
Let's file this one under "unconfirmed tidbit" ...
It looks as if Barbra's concert special (filmed in Florida in 2006) will debut on NBC — this is good for the network and television viewers, due to the lack of new shows as a result of the writer's strike.
However ... as previously reported [see the 2007 News Archive] the special will most likely be edited to 1 hour in length (which is actually about 43 minutes in "TV Time", which includes time for commercials).
The complete special will be released on DVD. The complete special includes (besides all of Barbra's songs): all of Il Divo's numbers, the George Bush Skit, and the Overture and Entr'acte [with amazing backstage footage of Barbra!]. One would assume that the DVD release would follow the TV airing. Documentary footage of Barbra's European tour was filmed, but may not be included on the DVD as bonus footage. Both "Woman in the Moon" (L.A.) and "Nobody's Heart Belongs to Me" (Florida encore) were both filmed, but it is unknown whether these will be bonus videos.
There is no air date announced officially yet. As previously reported, look for the special in mid-February, possibly March 2008.
copyright © 2003-2008 Matt Howe
