''Streisand was all but brand new on the scene when she created the role'' [in 'Funny Girl'].''
Not at all. Streisand was much further along with her career than Julie Benko is now. From 1960-62, Streisand was winning raves for her cabaret act at the Bon Soir and the Blue Angel, earning comparisons to Judy Garland and, yes, Fanny Brice. She was appearing on various TV shows, like ''The Ed Sullivan Show.'' Johnny Carson, alone, had her on ''The Tonight Show'' half a dozen times between 1962 and 1963. In 1962, Streisand made her Broadway debut in ''I Can Get It for You Wholesale,'' and garnered her first Tony nomination for playing the featured ''Miss Marmelstein'' and stopping the show. In 1963, she released her first album, which charted in the top 10 on Billboard and received three Grammy Awards.
Then in 1964, Streisand returned to Broadway to star in ''Funny Girl'' ... |
