Review of Streisand: The Tour (Atlantic City Nov. 4th, 2006)

The show was different than when I saw her Philadelphia, which was a totally different experience, the greatest audience ever for a concert, standing ovations all the time. AC was a much for ignorant, disrespectful audience. She was trying to win us over, pushing for higher notes, but her first couple of songs weren't crowd pleasers. The show didn't kick off until abut 8:22, 5 or 6 minute overture, and then she comes out of that trick platform, in the black skirt and black shirt with matching cardigan, however it wasn't sparkly, only around the edges. The Standing Ovation lasted for about 20 seconds and she started into song, in Philadelphia, the ovation lasted for 5 minutes and she wasn't able to launch into song, and she made several remarks like "I Never saw So Many people." “SHSN” was beautiful and she held that note for about 11 seconds in the middle and she didn't take a breath in between the last "starting Now" which she did in video/audio I've heard from other shows. She then talked about the restaurants, how she started walking on the beach (that's why she loves AC because its on he beach, like her house in CA) and then was attracted to some Japanese food, then pizza, and ice cream. I didn't know the restaurants because I'm not too familiar with AC. Down With Love was beautiful as well (she was laughing during parts of the song which was cute). She went right into “TWWW” with a brief intro, but “TWWW” didn't have the notes or excitement that was visible in Philadelphia, though the humming was gorgeous. She started with "Oh, we'll have MEM'RIES". She went through “Ma Premiere Chanson” piano part without any flaws, so she didn't curse or anything. The singing part was a bit hoarse and strained, the notes were there, but they weren't readily accessible. Il Divo were introduced on Evergreen and she sounded great on Evergreen, but Il Divo ruined the entire charm and beauty of the song. During Il Divo, many people, especially in my section were leaving and going for drinks or food or to the bathroom. Their set was nothing special, I thought they were a bit more enjoyable in Philadelphia, and their covering of others' songs was boring. Back comes Barbra from the staircase in the back, a different intro to “Come Rain Or Come Shine”, I noticed. No standing Ovation when she came back out, I got up though. CROCS was terrific, she hit that big note and then introduced the orchestra, then finished off the song, with only the last note sounding a bit weak. Funny Girl was so hauntingly beautiful I had tears from my eyes. She then shortened the intro to “TMTMMD” and then only said a few words before going into “My Man”. She hit all the notes, but they were a bit shorter than in Philadelphia. “People” was absolutely amazing and she held that last note for at least 10 seconds. Some people gave a Standing Ovation, I did, but once again this was a reserved audience. The intermission was twenty minutes; I walked out a bit, noticed people saying she sounded good. Went back to my seats, 10 minutes later the place goes black and out comes Il Divo, two on each side, everything is so posed with them, I can't stand it. They did compliment Barbra very nicely, once again, no standing Ovation when she came out. She went for and held that triumphant "night" for almost as long as the studio version. She then did the “You've Got To Be Carefully Taught/Children Will Listen” with the familiar "parent" intro, and then went into Unusual Way, which was also stunning (she hit all the notes). “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?” was next, and she sung the song just like on the record, she held that last "you" for about 15 seconds. You could tell she was bit upset with the audience and was trying to get them a bit more excited. The Q&A was next. The first one was a couple that got tickets from their kids and it was their 50th Anniversary, so Barbra congratulates them. Another one was "Have you ever considered plastic surgery? You have great (I didn't know what the word was and neither did anyone around me)” She said who is this, and then read the name and it was some Dr. Feingold.  She said, "Is this a question or a consultation?"  There was one about how she met James Brolin, she said at a dinner party, in one night she did two things she loves to do, eating and falling in love.  Also, how Barbra spends her birthday, which she said she has party with her women friends and their kids and she likes to see how they all grow and change over the years.  There may have been another one, but then the Bush sketch came on.  Went WAY too long, I noticed people leaving, the people that were sitting next to me left as well.  Two comments, “You’re an a**hole” and “Shut up and sing!”  She may have not heard them or just brushed them off.  She then said how 42 years ago, she sang this next song for the winning ticket of LBJ at the Democratic National Convention RIGHT Here in this building and that her singing it probably didn’t attribute to the win, but that maybe if she sings it tonight, it will be a prayer for a win next week. She then sang “Happy Days”; the notes were all there, but the last note was a bit shorter than I thought it would be. Next came Have I Stayed Too Long At The Fair, which sounded better than in Philadelphia, but she didn’t hit that big high note like opening night. “A Cock-Eyed Optimist” was stunning! She got really into it and finished it up so well, the belting was incredible. That got a good applause out of the audience. Next, the familiar intro to “Somewhere”, all the notes were there, and she hit that final note perfectly. Finally, a standing ovation! Next, “My Shining Hour”, which was very nice, she thanked the audience in the middle. She did compliment a guy in the front row, saying her had a beautiful smile; I think she said that here. Another standing ovation because everyone thought the show was over, so many left. She then did “DROMP” (reprise), the lyrics were a bit different (No hello gorgeous, it was “Hey world”). The note on “My-y-y” was absolutely amazing and she held the last “Parade” as she was going down the trap door in the middle of the stage. I thought the show would be over since the audience was so disrespectful, but the remaining 75% of the crowd still cheered while others were leaving, so she came back, said she already put back on her shoes and took off her earrings. She sang “Smile” and talked about “Samuel” (the original Sammy) and her new Sammy. Her rendition was beautiful. The show was then over and everyone left, it was so confusing leaving that place. People were commenting on her she sounded a little strained, which she did in Act 1. I bought a T-shirt and then after twenty minutes of trying to get out and find our car, we left. I love Barbra and her performance was amazing, Il Divo was a roadblock to an amazing show, and they were a mistake. The GW sketch is now very old; she should cut it and sing another song or two. The audience was horrendous, which took my attention away from the show a bit. Love you Barbra and I hope you tour again!