The show opened with Hamlisch conducting the National Symphony Orchestra in the familiar overture to "Barbra The Concert." After telling the audience about his decades-long association with Barbra and his delight in touring with her, Hamlisch then led the orchestra through a new medley arrangement from "Yentl."

Lauren Frost, who also toured with Barbra in "Timeless," then walked onto the stage. She was dressed in a midi blouse which replicated Barbra's Act 1 costume from "Funny Girl." As Frost took center stage, the house lights dimmed and she launched into an amazing rendition of "I'm The Greatest Star." The version she chose to perform was from "Funny Girl" - the stage show. Lauren Frost, four years after "Timeless," can now command a stage all by herself. Her delivery was without flaw and her vocal range was impressive. More of Lauren would have been warranted, but the evening had to progress. After a brief discussion with Hamlisch on how she first met Barbra and auditioned for "Timeless," Lauren left the stage. It was now time for the main event. Julie Budd.

Julie Budd is an established singer and has been performing in concert halls and on the nightclub circuit for years. Her style has always been her own, but there have always been detractors who said she is a Streisand imitation, a poor man's Barbra, if you will. It is for that reason, I speculate, that Julie Budd has purposely stayed away from the Streisand catalogue and has only performed either new material or non-Streisand classics throughout her own career. But for this evening, all caution was thrown to the wind and Julie Budd finally succumbed. She performed Streisand. And it sure was worth the decades-long wait.

It was hearing Streisand classics being performed by one of the most accomplished ballad singers around that was truly exciting. Julie did not imitate Barbra. Her renditions of "On A Clear Day," "The Music That Makes Me Dance," "My Man" and "Don't Rain On My Parade" were original and classically rendered ballads - sung in her own inimitable style. Perhaps after avoiding the Streisand cannon for many years, Julie Budd has opened up the possibility for a whole new repertoire - if she chooses.

It was now time for some fun. Streisand impersonator Steven Brinberg was on hand for the second act and performed "How Does The Wine Taste?" and "Summer Me Winter Me," both in exact replication of the Streisand versions. He and Hamlisch bantered "in character" a bit before the "illusion" was revealed.

But it was Julie Budd who owned the evening. Not only did she perform the Streisand classics, but she sang several ballads from her own act. Her version of the Edith Piaf torch song, "If You Love Me" (from her "Pure Imagination" album) was a show stopper. It was that song that I was humming as I left the auditorium. Brava Julie.