The Barbra Streisand Music Guide: Timeless Tour Guide

New York, New York
September 27 & 28, 2000: Madison Square Garden, 8 pm

PreviewPerformance Related Links Main Guide
Preview

Official Media Release July 19, 2000, announcing L.A. and NYC shows

FOUR CONCERTS, TWO CITIES, ONE VOICE, LAST TIME

STAPLES CENTER, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN LAND
STREISAND'S FINAL PERFORMANCE

Barbra Streisand, whose "Timeless" concert in Las Vegas last New Year's Eve established the all-time single performance box office record, will do two concerts at Los Angeles's Staples Center (September 20, 21) and two more at New York's Madison Square Garden (September 27, 28) which her management confirms will ring down the curtain on one of the greatest... and rarest... personal appearance performing careers ever.

Martin Erlichman, the artist's career-long manager, stated, "Ms. Streisand has chosen to conclude her public performance career in the two cities most closely associated with her work."

Tickets will be placed on sale via TicketMaster for the Los Angeles concerts Sunday, July 30 and Monday, July 31 for the New York engagement. The singer's December 31, 1999 concert in Las Vegas established TicketMaster's record for highest one-day sales of a single event - entertainment or sports - in the company's 33-year history.

Ms. Streisand's public performances have been rare since the mid-60s. She historically has dedicated most of her creative time to her recording career, to her work as director, producer and actress in motion pictures and, recently, to her Barwood Films slate of issue-oriented motion pictures and documentaries for television. Prior to her 1993-94 pair of New Years concerts at the MGM Grand Garden, she had gone nearly three decades without performing for pay in public. Erlichman stated that Ms. Streisand is contemplating directing a motion picture in which she does not also star.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, her total of forty-two gold record albums makes her the highest selling female recording artist ever with number one albums in each of the last four decades and number one albums spanning a period of over 35 years, the greatest longevity in that statistic for any recording artist or group. Her 25 platinum and 13 multi-platinum albums are similarly record-setting.

"We are proud that Barbra Streisand has chosen Staples Center to host what we believe will not only be the most important nights of our arena's young life, but an engagement that will go down as the premiere entertainment event ever," said Timothy J. Leiweke, President of Staples Center. "Choosing Staples Center for two of her final performances ever honors not only our arena but her fans in Los Angeles who will have the opportunity to pay tribute to one of the greatest performers of our lifetime."

Mitch Slater, Executive Vice President of SFX, stated, "It is only natural that Barbra Streisand says goodbye to her legions of hometown fans from Madison Square Garden. We are thrilled and honored to have her play the world's most famous arena for her swan song." (7/19/00)

Tickets for the two Madison Square Garden shows went on sale Monday, July 31, 2000 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time via ticketmaster.com and select TicketMaster outlets only (including telephone orders at 1-888-9BARBRA). Barbra's final performance, Sept. 28, sold out in a few hours. Ticketmaster placed additional seats on sale at on Sept. 21, so if you haven't reserved a seat, this may be your last chance. Seats are priced in three categories: $1,500, $350, $125. Refer to the seating chart for details, which do not include price coding. 6 tickets maximum may be ordered per buyer between both shows (not 6 tickets each show). TicketMaster will cancel orders exceeding this limit. Foreign orders will be accepted, but unlike tickets for U.S. buyers which will be sent out in advance, tickets for foreign buyers will be held at the Garden's will call office for pick-up beginning on August 28. VIP seating for $2,500 in sections closest to the stage includes pre-show dinner and gift bag, but is not available through TicketMaster. For VIP tickets call 212-245-0614, ext. 23. Full-page advertising has appeared in The New York Times (7/30/00) and other area publications. (9/22/00)

AllStarCharity.com has received four VIP ticket packages from Barbra Streisand for the two Garden shows, which are currently being auctioned. 100% of the winning bids goes to Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999, which uses music and entertainment to promote and complement the healing process for patients in the interest of improving their quality of life and creating a better living environment. Click the hyperlinks below to visit the respective auction pages.
September 27, 2000
September 28, 2000
(9/9/00)

Marvin Hamlisch, Barbra's arranger-conductor for all previous Timeless performances and 1994's concerts, is committed to other shows and will not be available at the Staples Center and Madison Square Garden. "I did the Millennium concerts with her and then Australia, but I won't be doing her last ones," Hamlisch advised Mitchell Fink in the New York Daily News (7/31/00). The maestro is certain that these four dates will be Streisand's farewell to concerts, saying "I'm convinced of it. She doesn't lie. She's very clear. Truthfully, she's never loved performing. She's happily married now, and I think she wants to spend more time at home." Hamlisch added, "All good things come to an end. I wish I could be there. It's sad for me." The BSMG has learned that Bill Ross will conduct Barbra's orchestra in the final four shows. A frequent collaborator with Barbra, Ross has orchestrated and conducted many 1990s Streisand album recordings. (9/2/00)

Barbra's manager, Marty Erlichman, provides some background regarding the decision to stage her final public performances in L.A. and New York this September. "My perception is it's a relief for her the decision has been made," Erlichman told USA Today's Jeannie Williams. Following her Timeless world premiere performances in Las Vegas to welcome the new Millennium, Barbra seriously considered embarking on a world concert tour, which she would have enjoyed with husband James Brolin. Instead, the couple visited Australia and the Far East, Streisand & company performing Timeless in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. Back home in Malibu after these successful shows, she informed her manager, "I really am going to wrap it up now. But I think I should finish in the two cities that I call home." Indeed, back in January 2000 at the Golden Globe Awards, Barbra had hinted of her possible swan song in L.A. and New York.

"This is the only part of her professional life she has decided to put a stop to," Erlichman explains. After apparently conquering her fears of live performances in 1994 when she did 26 concerts, some people may be wondering why Barbra wishes to conclude this part of her multi-faceted career. "It's a chore for her. She's still nervous," her manager says. "She still has a thousand frights and fears. She's paid her dues. People who love her say, 'You've done it. There's no purpose in performing if you don't get enjoyment from it.'" The BSMG certainly concurs.

Describing Barbra's Timeless for those who haven't seen the show, Erlichman calls it "a biography of her career. ...designed that way in anticipation that this might be the last." While the L.A. shows at the Staples Center will certainly be momentous, The BSMG expects that the final New York shows, returning Streisand to the city where her singing career began 40 years ago, will be, as Erlichman says, "a lot more emotional, emanating both from the audience and from her on stage." For archival purposes, if not for planned commercial release, the final performance at Madison Square Garden (Sept. 28) may be recorded. Himself a Streisand fan (no surprise), Erlichman experiences "the same goose bumps I got 40 years ago listening to her." (7/20/00)

Barbra Streisand will send her final concert performance LIVE from Madison Square Garden to the world in an exclusive America Online Webcast. Details from today's press release below.

America Online, the world's leading interactive services company, is joining forces with music legend Barbra Streisand for a historic online event this Thursday, September 28. Only 12,500 people will have the opportunity to see Streisand's final concert live at Madison Square Garden in NY, but through the power of the Internet, millions of fans around the world will have access to the last five minutes of this superstar's farewell performance (at approximately 10:15 PM/ET) and other special online content.

Available on AOL and AOL Plus (AOL Keyword: Barbra Streisand), members will be able to participate in the star-studded evening from the comfort of their computers and witness a historic moment with one of the greatest voices of all time. AOL's Barbra Streisand area will be available for 30 days, allowing members to relive her last performance again and again. The area will also feature a wealth of other online content for fans, including links to special video footage, celebrity red carpet interviews, fan tributes, photos, and more, provided through a content arrangement with Qwest Digital Media (formerly Slingshot Networks).

"As entertainment on the Internet continues to reach new levels, consumers are the real winners," said Jonathan Sacks, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the AOL Service. "Through the power of the online medium, AOL is offering Ms. Streisand's fans around the globe an incredible opportunity to participate in one of the hottest entertainment events of the decade." (9/27/00)

Performance

September 27, 2000

Overview: Fans from the New York City metropolitan area, all over the country, and throughout the world had been gathering in the Big Apple since the week began. All for Barbra Streisand...and the grand celebration anticipated in the days leading up to and following Barbra's two final concert performances at Madison Square Garden. Mothers brought their daughters, who brought their daughters, who brought their daughters, sons, cousins, friends, co-workers, and anyone who's enjoyed Barbra Streisand's work for the past decade or the past four decades. Newspapers were running features about Barbra, her career, her fans, and, of course, her ticket prices. Subways, buses, cabs, and limos were running ticket holders all over the city. The area around the Garden was buzzing with excitement. Inside, during Barbra's Wednesday evening performance, a devoted audience of 12,500 rose and cheered, together creating 2 1/2 hours of musical memories they will never forget. Just as Barbra had done so effortlessly in L.A. the previous week, she once again tailored her show to the audience, joking and making impromptu asides, introducing celebs, and substituting a song one of them had written, "Send In The Clowns." While it's not necessary to compare shows, the only concert that could have topped this marvelous one was the following night, and from all accounts, it did just that. Below is the set list for the Sept. 27-28 shows.

Act 1
Overture (tap dancing)
You'll Never Know (Lauren Frost)
Something's Coming (with Frost)
The Way We Were
Shirley MacLaine Y1K (comedy dialogue)
Cry Me A River
Lover, Come Back To Me
A Sleepin' Bee
I'm The Greatest Star / Second Hand Rose / Don't Rain On My Parade
Something Wonderful / Being Alive
As Time Goes By
Alfie
Evergreen
Papa, Can You Hear Me? / You'll Never Know (with Frost)
A Piece Of Sky (with Frost)

Act 2
Entr'acte
Putting It Together
On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever) {with choir}
Send In The Clowns
Come Rain Or Come Shine
Duets
Happy Days Are Here Again / Get Happy (with Judy Garland)
Guilty (with Barry Gibb)
I Finally Found Someone (with Bryan Adams)
Tell Him (with Celine Dion)
You Don't Bring Me Flowers (with Neil Diamond)

Sing (with Jason Gould)
I've Got A Crush On You (with Frank Sinatra)
The Clicker Blues
The Main Event / Fight
I've Dreamed Of You
Love Like Ours (not performed on 9/28)
Happy Days Are Here Again {with choir}
Don't Like Goodbyes
I Believe / Somewhere (with Frost) {with choir}

Encores
The Music That Makes Me Dance
My Man
Before The Parade Passes By
People

According to Radio City Entertainment:

It took 25 semi trailers to transport all of the equipment to The Garden. The equipment was loaded in over a 3-day period.
Ms. Streisand's concerts are the only events for which the arena floor of Madison Square Garden is carpeted.
Ms. Streisand's dressing room featured white carpeting, white drapes and was furnished with antiques brought in at her request.
The top ticket price, $2500, is the highest price ever charged for an event at Madison Square Garden.
Those with the top tickets arrived early and dined on salmon and filet mignon at a sit down dinner and reception before the show that took over the entire third floor of The Garden. They sat close to the stage and were served champagne at intermission.
Celebrity Attendees: Rosie O'Donnell, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch, Tony Bennett, Michel Legrand, Bernadette Peters, Sarah Jessica Parker, Drew Barrymore, Penny Marshall, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Elaine May, Christie Brinkley, Regis & Joy Philbin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short, Ann Hampton Callaway, Eli Wallach & Anne Jackson, Shirley Jones, Isabella Rossalini, Polly Bergen, David Dinkins, Harvey Weinstein, and James Brolin.

September 28, 2000

Review: "A Happening on Seventh Avenue." Not since June 17, 1967, when Barbra Streisand gave New Yorkers a free concert in Central Park has the city hosted a happening of such Barbra-magnitude. This second of two sold-out Madison Square Garden shows and her final of four U.S. Timeless concerts this month caps and certainly tops everything in Barbra's 40-year concert career. How?

There has never been a live Barbra Streisand performance with such pre-billed significance (her last public concert) and start-to-finish excitement, both from Barbra and her hometown audience. With hundreds, if not thousands of binoculars, phones, and vocal people who simply can't get enough Barbra, the Garden erupted in a huge ovation on Barbra's 8:30 entrance. "It's so great to be home in New York!" Barbra screamed, the initial outpouring always surprising her. "What a nice way to say goodbye," said Barbra after her first number, just one of many personal observations, unscripted comments, asides, and witty responses to audience shout-outs sprinkled liberally throughout this special evening. Discussing her 1955 Nola Studio session, which her cast re-created, she asked her brother, Shelley, sitting down front, if he remembered. Prior to a gorgeous "The Way We Were," which included her hummed intro, Barbra noticed people turning around to check the prompter monitors and warned that she would be ad-libbing a lot, taking a dig at the press's often critical remarks regarding her use of prompters. Indeed, Barbra was noticing everything, even a woman having difficulty finding her seat, causing her to call out and insert "I love real life" between lyrics. She even deliberately moved to each side of the stage and waved to the upper level seats during the song. So apparently energized and relaxed for the show, Barbra comically improvised, The way we was / The way we were. Delight shone on everyone's faces, as Barbra kicked off this ultra-special concert in her own unique way.

Highlights and unique moments were abundant - virtually every number. Before "Cry Me A River," Barbra recalled The Lion in Greenwich Village by name (her professional singing debut, June 6, 1960) and admitted to feeling a bit chilly even in her gold shawl, which dancer Mark Mendonca placed around her incorrectly ("Not too high, you're messing my hair"). Wishing she could have filmed these NYC shows, Barbra explained that she had already filmed for TV extensively in Las Vegas (12/31/99-1/1/00), because she didn't think she would do subsequent shows. "Lover, Come Back To Me" ended with a wily final "Nowww!" and Barbra playfully suggesting, "I could do anything tonight; they couldn't fire me." After the always beautifully delicate "A Sleepin' Bee," Barbra fondly recalled her earliest songs and how she never forgets their lyrics, enabling her to sing them with eyes closed. Someone yelled out, "Marmelstein!" and Barbra took a moment to explain that she dropped the song "Miss Marmelstein" because she "couldn't really sing it in sequins...I'm not that good an actress...It didn't feel right," but that it would be in her forthcoming TV special. Such candor and humility! And during her final concert no less.

The audience's first standing ovation for Barbra occurred after she surprised herself and the orchestra with a 9-second final "Parade" high note. "I don't know where that came from. It's my last night, I can hold the notes," she boasted. As usual, her Broadway and Movies sections were wonderfully dramatic and moving. Once again, the "Alfie" story broke up the audience, and Barbra added a public P.S. to Michel Legrand (in audience) for the arrangement. Perhaps inspired by familiar faces in the NY crowd, Barbra remembered Broadway, opening nights, and people telling her, "You're never gonna make it, kid, because you're too undisciplined. You never do it the same way twice." She proudly admitted, "I still don't do it the same way twice," which is part of what makes Barbra Streisand such a uniquely talented artist. Segueing into "Evergreen," Barbra's recollection of songwriting aspirations led to someone screaming out "By The Way," and Barbra asking everyone if they liked that song (which she co-wrote with Rupert Holmes in 1975 for Lazy Afternoon). More improvisation resulted from naming her close friend, Joanne Siegel (in audience), with whom she discussed their fathers some years ago. The audience's applause for her friend surprised Barbra, who proceeded to invite Joanne on stage to play piano (of course she didn't accept the offer), because she likes performing in front of people. Next, Barbra wondered how people can enjoy it, since "You have to stand up straight...good posture, holding your tummy in." In contrast, Barbra said she wears sneakers and sweat suits at home, much more preferable.

Preceded by a lengthier intro about how Barbra received her father's love poem to a woman before he married Barbra's mother, "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" / "You'll Never Know" and the thunderous Act 1 finale, "A Piece Of Sky," overflowed with tearful poignancy and thoughts of what could have been for Barbra and her dad. Turns out the 92-year-old Esther Posner Grodin ("a little pistol"), who had a two-year relationship with Emanuel Streisand, attended the previous evening's show and had given the letter to Barbra's cousin, Mel Streisand, after meeting him in synagogue. Touching, to say the least.

At 9:40 Act 2 kicked off with a rousing Entr'acte, the wondrous career-spanning video montage during "Putting It Together," and Barbra's absolutely thrilling "On A Clear Day," debuting the offstage Central Baptist Church choir (from Manhattan). In a variation of the piano-player-serving-tea bit, Alec Ledd initiated the conversation, saying he always knew Barbra would make it, and that his real job is running the George W. Bush's presidential campaign. Predictably, Barbra wished him good luck, and after a few beats, added "You'll need it." The Democrats laughed, and the Republicans hoped she'd be wrong.

Perhaps to pay tribute to Stephen Sondheim (in the previous night's audience), Barbra returned "Send In The Clowns" to the set list, and, of course, her rendition was remarkable. In L.A. Barbra added "Love Like Ours" instead, perhaps because lyricists Alan & Marilyn Bergman attended those shows. As the thousands of sun-showering diamond lights poured down on the stage for "Come Rain Or Come Shine," the audience gasped ("Wow!"), causing Barbra to chuckle and repeat, "What a great audience." The jazzy Brazilian arrangement suits Barbra.

Barbra altered and extended her comments during the "Duets" video medley, expressing joy over Celine Dion's pregnancy. Erasmus Hall high school even got a mention during "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." She looked for son Jason in the audience during the "Sing" film clip and gushed, "Oh, that face" when his photo appeared on screen. Her live "Crush On You" duet with the Sinatra video was sublime. Barbra's technology monologue led her to comment, "If only our hearts were as evolved as our technology."

Before introducing "I've Dreamed Of You," someone yelled out, "I love you, Mrs. Brolin!" Barbra turned to husband James, "Honey, did you hear that? She called me Mrs. Brolin." She told the audience, "I am Mrs. Brolin. I love being Mrs. Brolin." As the music began, Barbra referred to Jim as her "sweet gifted husband." She said, "Some critics didn't like our pictures. They thought it was too sentimental and mushy, but you know, they're not in love." Singing "I've Dreamed Of You" to him, sharing their continued bliss with the audience, proved one of the evening's emotional high points, just as it did on Millennium Eve.

In her extended cast and orchestra introductions prior to "Happy Days," Barbra thanked her personal band musicians by name, led by pianist Randy Waldman. She took a moment to thank "longtime friend and manager, Marty Erlichman," whom she met at 19 when his office was just a phone booth on 53rd St. with rolls of dimes. Barbra concluded by formally thanking the audience. She remembered singing "Happy Days Are Here Again" for Presidents Kennedy in 1963 and Clinton in 1992 and said this night's version contained "respect for the past and hope for the future." Not being very political during the show, Barbra did still admit she hoped to sing it and really mean it "if the Democrats win," referring to the November general election. With the choir one step off the floor, Barbra sailed through the ebullient number and remained on stage, bowing and dancing through the orchestra's reprise.

Before introducing her special friends and guests in the VIP seats, Barbra asked, "There are Republicans in this audience, right?" which drew ample applause. "Who else can afford these tickets," she quipped. Barbra complimented Rosie O'Donnell for being outspoken on important social issues and thanked Sen. Schumer for his gun control efforts. Stage actress Phyllis Newman's introduction developed into a hysterical brief comedy routine, as Barbra kidded her for winning a 1962 Tony Award over her. Introducing fashion designer Donna Karan, Barbra had the opportunity to clarify that her costumes were self-designed this time around. In Act 1 Barbra wore a sparkling copper-colored pants suit with sleeveless full-neck top, gold chain, and matching shoes. Her Act 2 costume was an "elegant long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder, shimmering black sheath, the full-length matching sequined skirt split up the left side to mid-thigh" (quoting Kim H's description from L.A.).

"Don't Like Goodbyes" really had that something extra from Barbra -- unusual nuance and phrasing -- as did every subsequent song. "I Believe" was as heartfelt as ever, and "Somewhere" soared intro the stratosphere.

"Do you mind if I take off my shoes now?" Barbra asked, before changing into heeled slippers to her relief. Beginning her intro to the first encore, "The Music That Makes Me Dance," Barbra introduced Jule Styne's widow and started thinking about New York some more. "Anyone want to buy an apartment in NY?" she wondered aloud, advertising her own Ardsley triplex, which she hadn't visited in a year and a half. "Central Park West, nice view, 15 rooms." Laughter filled the arena. Barbra moved from "Music" 3/4 through to "My Man" and almost literally brought the house down after her final breathtaking note. Unending waves of applause continually washed upon the stage, Barbra at first admittedly feeling uncomfortable and then succumbing ("It is nice to let it in"). Standing ovations continued for a few minutes, Barbra's eyes welling up with tears ("I don't wanna get ferklempt"). By the end she acknowledged feeling the audience's love. The mood brightened when an enthusiastic fellow reached Barbra's ears with "Barbra, you're timeless!" Her humorous reply: "Why do you think I called it that?" referring, of course, to the show's title.

As she explained in detail in L.A., Barbra said it felt like "time to say goodbye to this part of my life" and was excitedly anticipating eating all kinds of delicious high-calorie foods after the show. Speaking of food, she remembered working for the Choy family at age 11, babysitting and taking orders in their restaurant (she gave us spareribs and egg rolls in Chinese). Barbra said she looked forward to upcoming car and boat trips and having "more time to just live life." But, when someone yelled out a particular destination, Barbra repeated it, somewhat shocked -- "Go back to Brooklyn, did you say?" Her discussion about moving into a new phase of her life was a perfect lead-in for the new soft and brief arrangement of "Before The Parade Passes By." Even I had some tears welling up by now.

Introducing her final concert's final song (which you can exclusively view on AOL for a month), Barbra said, "There's a song that's been there for me since the beginning. I've sung it for 36 or 37 years, and I don't look much older than that, do I? ...Here's to old times, new times, first times, and last times." Of course, the finale would be "People," perhaps Barbra's most enduring signature song, which sums everything up. Instead of the pronoun "they," Barbra used "we" in the lyric, which is more appropriate these days. Her feelings for the audience, her family, her friends, and the audience's feelings for family, friends, and, most notably on this night, Barbra Joan Streisand, all shine through with this performance. Nothing could have said it any better. Add an urgent spoken interjection, "And we all need each other" after "Are the luckiest people," and the song grows further in social significance. Clearly, this is Barbra's parting message, spreading kindness and goodwill, which is echoed again in her final words to the assembly, "Be good to each other. Goodnight." With the curtain's closing at 11:00, while it may have seemed sad to witness the conclusion of Barbra Streisand's concert career, everyone was smiling, for this happening couldn't have happened in a happier way.
- Mark Iskowitz (10/1/00)
Celebrity Attendees: Streisand family including son Jason Gould and brother Sheldon Streisand, Rosie O'Donnell, Lauren Bacall, Barbara Walters, Michel Legrand, Amy Irving, Glenn Close, Martha Stewart, Brooke Shields, Lorraine Bracco, Billy Crystal, Anne Meara & Jerry Stiller, Bud Cort, Billy Gilman, Scott Glenn, Jesse Jackson, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, Peter Bogdanovich, Phyllis Newman, Donna Karan & Steven Weis, Linda Richman (Mike Myers' mother-in-law), Maggie Styne (widow of Jule Styne), and James Brolin (who attended all 10 of his wife's Timeless shows this year).