Book Review: My Name Is Barbra

(A Christmas present. Finally finished two and a half months later) As I was reading this door-stopper of an autobiography on the subway, a woman said to me as she was exiting, "I admire you, sir." I was startled and said, "Why, because I'm reading this huge book?" She laughed and nodded her head. The sheer size of Streisand's enormous tome is not surprising when you start reading it and how she relies every detail of every experience she's every had. Some would call her obsessed or controlling. If she were a man, she would be labelled commanding and thorough. But despite the meticulousness, My Name Is Barbra is an engrossing account of one of the most unique and talented entertainers of her time, certainly the best singer and among the best actresses. 

From the decoration of her dressing rooms to the sound mixing of her albums to directorial decisions, Streisand leaves nothing out. If you want to know how to launch a career, put together a TV special, mount a concert tour, deal with difficult studio heads, furnish a home, or process an insanely jealous mother--Babs will let you know how. We learn so much about Broadway, Hollywood, political activism and the music biz, it's like a college seminar. The personal side is not neglected with honest appraisals of her two marriages (to Elliot Gould--they were both too young--and James Brolin--he arrived in her life at exactly the right time) as well her many extended relationships and dalliances. There are also the tragic might-have-been projects such as The Normal Heart, a remake of Gypsy and a sequel to The Way We Were. A fat, juicy lovefest for Streisand fans--of which I am one.

B'way Update: Smash to the Stage, Roundabout and CSC Seasons

The TV series Smash
serves as the inspiration for a new musical
set for 2024-25

It hardly seems possible, but there are already plans being hatched for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Broadway and Off-Broadway seasons. Two theater companies, Roundabout Theater Company and CSC, have announced their schedules for 2023-24 and the long-awaited stage version of the TV series Smash has been announced for the 2024-25. 

The producers of Smash who include Steven Spielberg intend to open the show two seasons hence. The book by Ric Elice (Jersey Boys) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone) will differ somewhat from the 2012-13 NBC series upon which it is based. The basic premise of a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a musical based on the turbulent life of Marilyn Monroe will remain intact. Some characters will return, others will not. The producers report the story will be funnier than the series which employed a series of melodramatic plot twists as we follow Bombshell, the Monroe tuner, from inception to out-of-town try-out to opening night to the Tony Awards. Five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, Contact) will direct. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray, Some Like It Hot) will provide the score which will include songs written for the series as well as new ones. Joshua Bergasse returns as choreographer.