She touched me...she put her hand near mine and then... MEETING STREISAND-FINALLY!

Ok, so last night it happened. I went to the show at MSG, had to die for seats (in front of Gloria Estefan -- I think she's a Republican) and went backstage afterwards. Bill/Hill were there, Sarah Jessica, Mr. Sondheim, my favorite funny lady - Fran Drescher, Dr. Krimm - medicine woman, and a gallery of others. We were ushered into a waiting area replete w/ cheese plates, wine and crudite. We chatted and munched until our turn came to enter her room -- snack table, large monitor topped w/ a bowl of floating gardenias, console, chairs and couch. Barbra went around the room hugging and chatting and then she looked at me and barked, "Who are you?!" (Just as I had imagined) Ummm... I stepped aside and indicated my companion, a Streisand associate, and then Babs let out an "OH!" and gave her a hug. I was then introduced; Barb took my hand and repeated my name three times (just as I had imagined she would. It's an unusual Sanskrit name I knew she would never have heard before.) We were effusive in our compliments about the show -- and I made it a point to tell her that she looked "hot". Which she did -- but up close she has fantastic skin, beautiful hair and tiny hands. She deflected our comments with a Pshaw -- claiming she was overweight, etc etc but she genuinely looked good. She kept pawing me, touching my back and shoulders as she walked behind me several times. It was definitely a bit odd, but I felt strangely familiar with her, and I guess she felt that way toward me. We then talked to James Brolin for a few minutes about his new film, his portrayal of Ronald Reagan and the rigors of home improvement.
I saw Barbra's live show in '94 and it changed my life. Last night I had a number of vivid dreams I have yet to decifer. Rather than being kind of nervous, I was completely at home, and even managed to joke around with Richard Jay Alexander, someone that had always intimidated me. I met a spiritual master in 1996 who broke me of the habit of being "impressed" with people. It's nice to see that I have grown up some, if nothing else. Anyone else ever met Barbra or their "idol"?

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Updated On: 10/12/06 at 10:53 AM

What an exciting story. Thanks for sharing.

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I met Bill and Hill, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen King, Stephen Sondheim, Liza and a few lesser idols that were thrilling at the moment, but I think if I met Barbra, I too would be thinking that "su-UHHHHHHHH-de-en-lee-ee-eeeee, nothing, nothingnothing IS...THE SAME!"

I saw the '94 concert as well, and it was a deeply moving experience.

Enjoy your afterglow. We're all kvelling for you.

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I forgot to add my own meeting my idol story...

It was Walter Cronkite, back in the days I thought I actually wanted to work in broadcast journalism. I was interning with CNN, and he had been brought on to cover John Glenn's return to space. It also happened to time during his (81st? 82nd? something like that) birthday party, which for some reason, they let me attend.

I felt guilty, though. Who wants to be given a birthday party filled with guests who you don't know and who just want to fawn all over you?

How wonderful for you!!!! What a wonderful experience....My idol was Miss Julie Harris.....and I got to speak with her...amazing experience!!

Updated On: 10/12/06 at 11:25 AM

Who else thinks GG deserves her own column?

I'm not even a big Babs fan and I got goosebumps.

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Gerard Alessandrini- Yes, and interviewed him.

Updated On: 10/12/06 at 11:30 AM

Uh, HELLO! I realize that JG and I have a few things in common, but we're not the same person.

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Relax. I was kidding. There are far worse people to be confused with!

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Crap! Sorry, GG.

I met and interviewed Ted Koppel, and I made him laugh.

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She always has to one-up me!

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I met Barbra Streisand on the street, when she was in FUNNY GIRL and I met Liza, the same way, when she was subbing in CHICAGO. Neither are idols of mine, but it was fun to meet them. I met Elizabeth Taylor in the lobby of the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, when she was doing PRIVATE LIVES, I think. I met Ann-Margret in her dressing room at the Sands Hotel. I was seated at the same table with Kier Dullea, at a benefit dinner, and even worked with quite a few "stars" over the years, but the only time I felt impressed, woozie and like I was going to faint, was when I met and spoke to Julie Andrews, at a benfit for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, the disease that killed Dudley Moore, who I also met at the same benefit.

What a thrilling story, Grrrl!

I have not met my idol, The Great and Powerful Sondheim, but I did get to see him in person at Sondheim in the Park here in Chicago this summer. That was a moment I'll remember forever. I haven't given up hope of meeting him yet. One day. I'm patient and he's all over the place.

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