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Another
Opening, Another Show
November
18, 2007
 I
was there last night,
along with over 5000 invited guests and celebrities, as Barbra
Streisand performed at the grand opening of the new Planet Hollywood
hotel in Las Vegas. With just nine musicians and conductor Bill
Ross at the helm, Barbra offered up an abbreviated version of her
recent concert tour. She arrived on stage at 10:30 PM dressed in one
of the gowns she wore during her European tour. She selected a
stunning diamond necklace to accent her wardrobe.
The
show was short and simple. There was no overture, just a brief
introduction by Planet Hollywood chairman Robert Earl who said to
"get ready for a special performance that we are so blessed to have in
our building."
Barbra then emerged from the wings to take center
stage. Her performance consisted of nine songs and lasted about 40
minutes. Following her first song, she shrugged and told us that,
because of the writers strike, she had nothing to say. Of course, she
was joking and then proceeded to give each song her familiar
introduction. Between numbers, Barbra threw a few shout-outs to her
celebrity pals and engaged in some light banter with the audience:
"I'm glad to be
here because I do like to gamble. I particularly like to play
blackjack. I doubled my money the last time I was here. I took a
hundred and made it two hundred...dollars, that is."
 Barbra
was noticeably horse during most of her set, telling us that she had
caught her husband's cold. Regardless, she still managed to captivate
while providing thrills in a memorable evening for everyone who packed
the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Barbra serenaded us with some of her favorites, selected from the vast
array of songs she performed during her recent North American and
European tours. Bill Ross conducted Barbra with similar arrangements used during
those tours, and as a failsafe, Barbra still relied on her trusty
teleprompters.
Barbra chose an inspired collection of songs for last
night's performance, but her omission of "People" from the lineup was
perhaps a bit surprising. Still, hearing her sing "The Music That
Makes Me Dance," the best song in "Funny Girl's" Broadway score (in
my opinion), more than made up for it.
Barbra's rendition of
"Smile" was a personal favorite. In the three shows I attended
during her U.S. tour in 2006, Barbra never sang "Smile." Much to my
delight, she did so tonight.
By way of introducing
"Smile," Barbra told us how much she loves dogs and even spoke about
the cover of her "Songbird" album. With a tender mention of her
beloved dog Sammy, it was time for "Smile." It was worth all the
effort it took to be in the concert hall last night just to finally
hear Barbra sing it live.
When it was time for
"Happy Days," Barbra sang with her usual eye peering towards
optimistic times, She ended the evening by wishing everyone Happy
Holidays and hoped we would all to enjoy our turkeys on Thanksgiving.
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