"Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" on Glee September 20, 2011 The new fall TV season got a jump start this evening as not one, but two familiar Barbra Streisand's musical classics were performed in prime time. On the season premiere of Glee, Lea Michele and Chris Colfer (the modern day Judy & Mickey) launched into a note-for-note replication of the 1966 Streisand-Harold Arlen duet, "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" (right). The number had no bearing on the plot, but it was fun to watch. If you think Glee has already fulfilled this season's quota of Streisand, think again. According to broadwayworld.com, they'll do "I'm the Greatest Star" next week.
Lea Michele's "My Man" Redux
May 19, 2011 As they used to say on the radio, the hits just keep on coming...   This week, "Glee" gave us yet another in a series of Barbra Streisand inspired performances. This go round, it was Lea Michele taking a spin with "My Man." This latest attempt to replicate an iconic Streisand moment was a success and Lea's rendition was extraordinary. The number rivaled Lea's tour de force from last season when she performed "Don't Rain on My Parade." And kudos to producer Ryan Murphy, who directed this particular episode, for providing costumes, lighting and set decoration that served as a spot-on homage to "Funny Girl." Watch the full episode at Fox.com. At the MusiCares benefit gala this past February, Lea had the distinction of personally serenading Barbra with a live version of "My Man."

 

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Glee Stages 'Barbra' Flash Mob

April 26, 2011
If you like that snappy dance track "Duck Sauce Barbra Streisand," we're sure you enjoyed tonight's episode of "Glee." The sub-plot revolved around Lea Michele's character, Rachel (of course), who was thinking about getting her nose fixed. Her friends remind her that Barbra redefined beauty by not altering her appearance. The kids staged a clever Barbravention at a local mall that turned into a flash mob performance to the original "Duck Sauce" recording. Watch the clip.

And you just gotta love the writing:

                Rachel: "Barbra? Is she here?"  Kurt: "No! This is a mall in Ohio." 
 

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Lea & Chris & Barbra & Judy

October 12, 2010
For the second week in a row, the cast of "Glee" gave us a taste of Barbra when Lea Michele and Chris Colfer sang a marvelous version of "Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy."

And kudos go to the show's costumers who dressed Lea in an exact replica of the midi blouse Barbra wore during her '63 "Judy Garland Show" appearance.


 

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Glee Cast to Perform Barbra/Judy

October 8, 2010
 "Glee" is about to give us another bit o' Barbra when Lea Michele and Chris Colfer sing "Happy Days/Get Happy" on next week's episode. The two "Glee" stars will perform the iconic number as part of the show's tribute to duets.

The Barbra Streisand/Judy Garland rendition became an instant classic on The Judy Garland Show in 1963.
 

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Lea Scores Home Run with 'Papa'

October 5, 2010
It was another big moment for Lea Michele tonight as the star of "Glee" took on yet another familiar Streisand signature song, scoring a huge home run.

During the religion-themed episode, the always impressive star was nothing short of spectacular in her rendition of "Papa, Can You Hear Me?". The "Yentl" ballad was delivered as an exact replication of the iconic Streisand version, continuing the show's ongoing homage to Barbra.

And the song's composer, Alan Bergman approved of Lea's rendition, too. "She sang it very well and they used the same arrangement as in Yentl so that was nice,” he told "The Toronto Star."

We continue to be amazed at Lea Michele's talent. She's on many a wish-list to star in the upcoming Broadway revival of "Funny Girl." And after tonight, we'd love to see her, center stage, in a new musical staging of "Yentl" as well. You can watch the episode at fox.com.
 

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Lea: I'll be singing Barbra again

August 31, 2010
Yes, "Glee" fans. Get ready for another tribute to Barbra Streisand on the Oct. 5 episode of your favorite hit TV series. Speaking with "Entertainment Weekly" at the Emmys this past weekend, "Glee" star Lea Michele spilled the beans. She is indeed singing another Barbra Streisand song in episode 3, but kept mum as to which tune she'll be performing.

Since the new season involves her character's developing relationship with Finn, we're guessing that it might be "Evergreen," "The Way We Were" or maybe "People."

On the show's season finale, Lea dazzled TV audiences with an acclaimed rendition of "Don't Rain On My Parade."

Lea Michele Belts "Don't Rain on My Parade"

December 9, 2009
The mid-season finale of "Glee," which aired tonight on FOX, featured cast member Lea Michele in her long awaited tribute to Barbra Streisand. Michele, whose character Rachel is an ardent Streisand fan finally got to put her spin on one of the greatest of all Streisand signature songs.

In a number she "rehearsed since the age of four", Rachel launched into the full rendition of "Don't Rain On My Parade" during the club's "sectionals" competition. Unlike some other performances on "Glee" (which tend to incorporate cut-aways and separate character dialogue), Michele was given a mostly uninterrupted spotlight for her midseason-ending tour de force. Her performance was simply great prime time entertainment.

By our count, there have been at least two previous Streisand mentions on the show, all leading up to this one showstopper. Performing one of the most difficult Streisand show tunes was not only a coup for the character, but a big moment for the actress as well.

Prior to "Glee," Lea Michele appeared in a number of successful Broadway musicals, including the recent offering, "Spring Awakening." So when she does eventually find her way back to Broadway, we think Lea might actually be the one who could do justice in a "Funny Girl" revival.

Barbra Gets 'Gleeful' Primetime Mention

September 16, 2009
It's a show all about singing, so it was only a matter of time before FOX's primetime hit  series "Glee" got around to mentioning Barbra Streisand.  If you caught tonight's episode of the show, you took note of the rather clever Barbra reference toward the end of the program. If you haven't seen it yet, we won't spoil it for you. Go over to FOX's Glee web site and watch the clip for yourself. The episode is called "Acafellas" and Barbra is mentioned at 32:35.

Incidentally, look for "Glee" star Lea Michele to perform a Barbra Streisand's show-stopper in an upcoming episode. Which number, you may ask? Well, FOX is trying desperately to keep it under wraps, but we hear it will be the Act 1 finale from a beloved Streisand musical. When cast member Jane Lynch was asked which number it would be, she attempted to keep the guessing game going. Said Lynch, "Think Barbra Streisand. Think the bow of a boat."

Way to keep that secret, Jane.