Cabaret

"I Don't Care Much" - The Second Album - 1963
John Kander & Fred Ebb's most famous production, "Cabaret," played for nearly three years at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway beginning in 1966. The show won the Best Musical Tony, and Kander & Ebb won for their score. The musical was directed by Hal Prince and starred Joel Grey, Jill Haworth, Bert Convy and Lotte Lenya.

One of the lesser known songs from the show was recorded by Barbra on "The Second Album." It was "I Don't Care Much," originally performed by the famed Austrian vocalist  Lotte Lenya. The number was not featured in the film version. Of course, years later, Barbra would get the chance to star in her own Kander & Ebb musical production, her 1975 film, "Funny Lady."

Chess

"I Know Him So Well" - Just for the Record - 1991
Tim Rice (lyrics), Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus (music) originally wrote a most delightful score to a musical called "Chess." Originally produced in London during the early 1980's, "Chess" was eventually brought to New York in 1988. While the music is brilliant, the book's theme of cold war antagonism suffered and "Chess" never really achieved a status worthy of its score. The New York production ran just shy of three months at the Imperial Theatre. Recently, Tim Rice made one more attempt to get it right. His 2008 concert production at London's Royal Albert (starring Idina Menzel and Josh Grobin, recently shown on PBS) came close.

With such a great score to consider, it is no wonder that Barbra chose to record "I Know Him So Well," one of the most dynamic ballads from the show's second act.

Hair

"Frank Mills" - Single Release - 1969
Currently enjoying rave reviews in its Broadway revival, "Hair" originally played the Biltmore Theatre in a 4 year run that began in 1968.  Tom O'Horgan directed this successful counterculture musical with music and lyrics by Galt MacDermot and Gerome Ragni. The original cast was an ensemble whose members included Diane Keaton in her Broadway debut. Paul Jabara was in the cast as well. Jabara and writing partner Bruce Roberts would later go on to compose two very successful disco anthems for Barbra Streisand: "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" and "The Main Event."

Barbra recorded a throwaway novelty number from Hair called "Frank Mills." Columbia Records released it as a single in 1969. It was never included on any of Barbra's studio albums.

"Brotherhood of Man" - "The Dinah Shore Show" - 1963
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" opened in 1961 at the 46th Street Theatre and ran just shy of four years. Starring Robert Morse, the show's score was written by Frank Loesser. Abe Burrows directed. The show won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and seven Tonys including Best Musical, Best Actor (Morse) and Best Director (Burrows).

Barbra performed the show's second act showstopper, "Brotherhood of Man" on "The Dinah Shore Show" in 1963. Barbra sang it in ensemble with Dinah and the other guest stars who were on the show that evening: Georgia Brown, Sam Fletcher, and the Chad Mitchell Trio. The song was never recorded by Barbra for an album, but her performance of "Brotherhood of Man" on Dinah Shore was a memorable and rare moment where Barbra shined by simply being a chorus member. It was brilliant.

My Fair Lady

"I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" - Color Me Barbra - 1966
One of the most well known of all Broadway musicals is "My Fair Lady." It's premiere run on Broadway began in 1956 and lasted an astonishing 6 1/2 years. The score was written by Lerner and Lowe. The show was directed by the Moss Hart. "My Fair Lady" won a number of Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Rex Harrison) and Best Costume Design (Cecil Beaton). Julie Andrews was nominated.

A brief version of "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" was recorded by Barbra for her TV special, "Color Me Barbra." Two members of the original "My Fair Lady" production would later work on Barbra's film, "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever." Alan Jay Lerner would write the music and Cecil Beaton would provide the period costumes.

Nine

"Unusual Way" - Streisand Live in Concert 2006
The original Broadway production of "Nine" opened at the 46th Street in May 1982 and ran for almost 2 years. The show, based on Federico Fellini's classic 1963 film "8 1/2" was directed by Tommy Tune, who co-starred with Barbra Streisand in 1969's "Hello, Dolly!". Music and Lyrics were composed by Maury Yeston.  Tonys were abundant for "Nine" and the show won 5, including Best Musical, Best Director (Tune), Best Original Score (Yeston) and Best Featured Actress (Liliane Montevecchi). Lead actor Raul Julia was nominated.

Barbra performed one of the show's best known love songs for the very first time when she went on tour in 2006. The number was "Unusual Way," which was performed in the original Broadway production as a duet by Raul Julia and Shelly Burch.

"Who Will Buy" - The Second Album - 1963
The Broadway version of "Oliver!" opened in 1963 at the Imperial Theatre and ran for almost 2 years. The musical, based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" starred Georgia Brown, Clive Revill and Bruce Prochnik in the title role. The show was directed by Peter Coe, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Bart won a Tony award for his score.

The second act show stopping number, "Who Will Buy?" was recorded by Barbra Streisand and included on "The Second Album." A very familiar show tune today, "Who Will Buy?" was a brand new composition when Barbra recorded it back in 1963. Incidentally, the film version of "Oliver!" was awarded the Best Picture Oscar the same night in 1969 when Barbra picked up her Best Actress Academy Award for "Funny Girl."

"Where Am I Going?" - Color Me Barbra - 1966
"You Wanna Bet?" - Just For The Record - 1991
The 1966 Broadway musical, "Sweet Charity" played at the Palace Theatre and ran for a year and a half. With music and lyrics by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, the show is perhaps best remembered for its Bob Fosse choreography. Fosse won the show's one and only Tony award.

Barbra recorded two of the show's numbers. One in particular, "Where Am I Going," become universally well known after Barbra performed it on her 1966 television special, "Color Me Barbra."