On this day in 1962: Barbra makes her debut

[David10086]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 11:56am

On this day in 1962, a star was truly born. 19 year old Barbra Streisand made her Broadway debut in the musical I Can Get It For You Wholesale in the role of Miss Marmelstein. The show played the Schubert Theater from March 22 1962 - September 29 1962. It then moved to the Broadway Theater from October 1 - December 8, 1962. Broadway fell in love with her, and she would return to the stage a few seasons later in Funny Girl.

For those who had the chance to see her in Wholesale or Funny Girl, please share your memories!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 12:05pm

 

[David10086]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 12:11pm

Never heard that clip before! Thank you!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 12:12pm

Here’s her understudy later replacement Louise Lasser speaking about not stopping the show with the legendary “Miss Marmelstein” number that made Barbra a sensation.  

 

 

 

Updated On: 3/22/20 at 12:12 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 1:04pm

19-20 year old Barbra outside the Shubert Theatre stagedoor on Shubert Alley:

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 2:16pm

Funny Girl memories---I am a huge Barbra fan and can share some memories. I was a 13 year old who, along with my best friend- who also turned out to be gay- lol, no surprise- well, we went to a show almost every Saturday matinee for a year during my seventh grade year. We both were already huge Barbra fans- but could never get a ticket because FG was always sold out. One Saturday, instead, we saw Flora The Red Menace- and it was amazing- and was the beginning of my Liza fandom. Anyway, when we found out that Barbra was gonna leave in December, we got tickets for November 20, 1965 in the box seats at the Winter Garden- at a cost of $5.50 each- I think a lot at that time. We were on the side- and Barbra sang People on our side of the theater- so I almost totally missed her singing People. I have very vivid memories of seeing FG- the sets, costumes, His Love Makes Me Beautiful- the mirror she looked into- but I must say, in November, 1965, I think Barbra had lost her enthusiasm for the show and it was pretty obvious that the Barbra we were seeing was not the Barbra we were expecting. But, still, it was something I will always treasure- since then I have seen Barbra in many of her concerts and sometimes she is amazing- and sometimes I am a bit disappointed in parts- when Barbra is lit- there is nothing like it. One more memory- we waited at the stage door of the WG before every show we saw- and left in time to see our play for the day. One Saturday, the stage door was jammed- as usual- and then a hubbub ensued- and all of a sudden, there was Barbra rushing by us into the stage door. She was wearing a brown newsboy cap- carrying Sadie,  and was so pretty and small- I hardly recognized her. She was very pretty and so young- well, so was I- but I hardly recognized her because of her size and prettiness. She rushed through the crowd and did not sign any autographs- and when she went into the stage door, I was in awe- and it is a moment I will always remember. Now, I have other memorable moments with Barbra- but this is not the place for it because I think this is FG and Wholesale related. 

Updated On: 3/22/20 at 02:16 PM

[David10086]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 5:48pm

What great memories to share with us some 50+ years later. Thank you so much!!

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 10:23pm

 
 


 

Updated On: 3/23/20 at 10:23 PM

[David10086]

Posted: 3/22/20 at 10:57pm

BWAY Baby2 said: "


"

Thank You! Never saw this before!!!!! 

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 3/23/20 at 12:29am

Both pictures magically disappeared- don't know why. David, please go on the great site barbraachives.com - it has so much history and so many pictures you will spend many hours of bliss reading and listening to everything Barbra. You will love it. -Mitchell

[David10086]

Posted: 3/23/20 at 11:17am

I'm a frequent visitor to that site - I love it!  I think Matt (site owner) knows more about Barbra than Barbra!

PS - check your email.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/23/20 at 11:28am

David10086 said: "I'm a frequent visitor to that site - I love it! I think Matt (site owner) knows more about Barbra than Barbra!

PS - check your email."

Indeed Matt does.  Streisand has mentioned on a few interviews that his site is her main source of reference in helping her write her autobiography, which she has been working on since 2015.  No expected date for it as the publisher has said it’ll come out when it’s ready.