Barbara Streisand Interview in Chicago Tribune

[n2doc]

BARBRA TODAY
Adored by millions, jeered by hecklers and lambasted by those who tire of her political soliloquies, Barbra Streisand takes time out from a rare tour to give an even rarer interview to the Tribune

By Howard Reich
Tribune arts critic
Published November 5, 2006

Barbra Streisand still can't believe it.

Not only did someone toss a drink at her while she was onstage, but she had paid for his ticket!


"That guy in Florida was a friend of guests that I had," says Streisand, phoning from a jet, as it whisked her away from Monday night's red-state confrontation in Ft. Lauderdale.

When she invited the crew of a friend's yacht to the concert, she explains, she thought she was being friendly. But one of the crew members got sick and gave the ticket to someone else, who decided to test his pitching arm after Streisand finished a skit satirizing President Bush (the heckler missed).

"No good deed goes unpunished," adds Streisand, with a laugh, insisting that the fellow wasn't taking a political potshot but, instead, had imbibed too much and was having a fight with his girlfriend.

Whatever the reason, the moment crystallized the passions that Streisand -- at 64 -- still ignites, in the midst of a rare concert tour that brings her to Chicago for performances Tuesday and Thursday nights at the United Center.

Yet Streisand -- whose remarkable resume includes two Oscars, 10 Grammys, six Emmys and approximately 70 million records sold -- seems to prefer it that way. Why else would she include in her current show a Bush impersonator who suggests erasing the national debt by "putting a proposal before Congress to sell Canada"?

The vignette has drawn fire from newspapers large and small: A "tepid segment" said The New York Times; "Please just sing, Barbra," begged the Omaha World-Herald.

But Streisand clings to her conviction that she has a duty to speak out.

"As Andre Gide said," quotes Streisand, referencing the French author and Nobel Prize laureate, "the artist's role is to disturb."

To the point, in show business and politics, timing is everything, which is why Streisand launched her first major tour in 12 years last month.

"This is an election year, as you know -- that's why I chose to do what I'm doing," says Streisand, who has been offering political volleys of her own on her blog as the tour unfolds.

much more at link:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0611040280nov05,1,377003.story?coll=chi-entertainmentfront-hed

[texpatriot2004]

1. kick nm

[flyarm]

2. I saw Babs in Atlantic City last night..she was great!!!!

the place was sold out and soooo many people!!

It was in the cneter where Lyndon Johnson had the DNC convention and she said she had sung for it..and it was over 40 years since she had been there..

Her skit about little lord pissy pants i thought was vanilla...but the few boos were severly overrun by the huge applause and cheers!
she seemed cautiously political..at least to me it seemed she was not over the top or even close..but she did make some very valid points..and they were well accepted.

my lifelong love affair with the Diva was again fullfiled..she was wonderful...and i laughed and cried and was just in awe..

as were most i believe..

( i saw here new years eve 1994 at MGM las vegas...

and like my hubby said last night..she has lost nothing in all those years!!

She is smart , whitty, and she can still hold a note longer than anyone and as powerful as ever!!

Thank you Babs for speaking out and being honest in every way!!

I love you Barbara..and "on a clear day" this tuesday.."we will see forever"..whether Americans give a damn about democracy!!


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