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The Subject Was Streisand |
Feature/February 2006 |
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Barbra Streisand has been mentioned
or referenced in countless films and animated features, oftentimes as a
point for playful comedy. We remember perhaps the first on-screen homage
to Barbra as far back as 1967.
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A non-credited
actress
played a Streisand
look-alike
in "Valley of the Dolls" We wonder if Barbra was amused. |
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Classic References
February 1, 2006
In 1967, the movie version
of Jacqueline Susann's popular novel, "Valley of the Dolls" was
released. Near the end of the picture, Broadway star Neely O'Hara
(Patty Duke) becomes intoxicated and can not perform. An ambitious
understudy, who bears a striking resemblance to Barbra Streisand,
goes on instead. (Incidentally, Streisand pals Marvin Hamlisch and Richard
Dreyfuss had bit parts in the film as well).
"Valley of the Dolls" was the first time we
can remember seeing an obvious
Streisand reference in any
film. And what was even
more amazing at the time
was that Barbra had yet to
appear in a film herself.
She was already that famous.
In more recent years, two particular films have caught
the eye of many Streisand fans for their hilarious comic tributes to
Barbra. We spotlight these films as an homage to Barbra Streisand's
acknowledged place in American pop culture.
"Used People" - Marcia Gay Harden as the Ultimate Diva
 In the 1992 film
Used People, Marcia Gay Harden plays an eccentric mother
coping with the loss of her son by playing diva dress-up. Each
scene finds Marcia's character Norma decked out as the spitting
image of any number of her favorite movie stars, among them Anne
Bancroft, Audrey Hepburn, Fay Dunaway, Marilyn Monroe, and of
course our favorite, Barbra Streisand.
The story line of this
delightful romantic comedy has absolutely nothing to do with
Barbra, and Barbra's name is never even mentioned. But Marcia Gay Harden's spot-on impersonation is uproarious. And kudos to the
costume people, too.
Used People
also stars Shirley MacLaine, Marcello Mastroianni, Kathy Bates
and Jessica Tandy. It is available on video.
"In & Out" - Kevin Kline as the Ultimate Fan
 In
In & Out, Kevin Kline portrays a man struggling to accept
his sexual identity as he prepares for his wedding. He's a fan
of Barbra Streisand, a huge fan in fact, something that does not
go unnoticed when his pals offer to watch Funny Girl with
him during his bachelor party.
The Barbra jokes are fast and
furious in this hilarious comedy. At one point, as Kline
prepares to walk down the aisle, he gets into a heated debate
with his fiancé about why Barbra made the movie Funny Lady
("she was under contract," he proclaims with the knowledge of an
expert). The fiancé, played by Joan Cusack, has a few choice
words of her own about Barbra, generating the film's
biggest sustained laugh. Barbra Streisand was such a pivotal
element to this story that much of the film's dialogue has
become classic rhetoric among Barbra's real fans. In & Out
is available on DVD.
"I'll Eat You Last" - A New Play by
John Logan
April 13, 2013
 After
Bette Davis watched Barbra Streisand perform in "Funny Girl" back in
1964, she said, "Some day they'll be doing her life."
That
inevitable play (surely a musical, no?) about Barbra's life has yet to
materialize, but the subject of "Barbra Streisand" is central in two new
theatrical productions currently on the boards in New York.
Another Bette - yes, the divine Miss Midler - is on Broadway in a new
play about Barbra's late Hollywood agent, Sue Mengers. The play, "I'll Eat You Last" was written by John Logan
and is directed by Joe Mantello.
Those who've seen it say that Mengers' relationship with Barbra
figures prominently.
Now in previews at the Booth Theatre, "I'll Eat You Last" opens on
April 24 (naturally). It's a limited run.
"Buyer and Cellar" - A New Play by
Jonathan Tolins
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Another play, this one an
"affectionate" spoof of Barbra Streisand is currently packing them in
Off-Broadway at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre in the Village.
It's called "Buyer and Cellar" and stars Michael Urie (of "Ugly Betty"
fame) in a one-man tour-de-force. It is directed by Stephen Brackett
and was written by Jonathan Tolins.
It's worth mentioning that Barbra's son, Jason Gould starred in the
West End production of another Jonathan Tolins play back in 1997, the
highly acclaimed "Twilight of the Golds."
"Buyer and Cellar" begins with a few cautionary words from the character:
"This is a work of
fiction ... the premise is preposterous. What I'm going to tell you
could not possibly have happened with a person as famous. talented,
and litigious as Barbra Streisand."
Tolins' character is Alex
More, an out of work actor who just happens to land a job working as a
"clerk" in Barbra Streisand's basement shopping mall. Yes, Tolins was
inspired to write his play after reading all about Barbra's basement
shops in her own book, My Passion for Design.
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Michael Urie Backstage
Photo: Joseph Marzullo/PLAYBILL |
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Urie plays all the parts, including Barbra Streisand. He describes his
performance as a loving and affectionate portrayal of Barbra. As Urie said in a recent interview, "If you don't leave the theatre
loving her more than when you went in, I failed."
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