For over six decades Barbra Streisand has breathed life into some of the most incredible songs of our time. She has achieved success across multiple fields of the entertainment industry and is the first performer to be awarded an EGOT — awards from the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars and Tony Awards.
Happy days are here again, Adelaide. In an homage to Barbra Streisand, the brilliant Rachael Grace is bringing her show, The Australian Barbra Streisand Show to the stunning Regal Theatre this Saturday 14 September.
Rachael has a wealth of performance experience to her name, having performed in various jazz ensembles, big bands, duos and trios. Having a strong love for Barbra Streisand and her music, Racheal has developed The Australian Barbra Streisand Show, touring it to huge success.
Rachael spoke to Glam Adelaide about what it is about Barbra’s music that she personally loves and is drawn to.
“I grew up with a lot of Streisand being played at home. So when I discovered that I could sing, my mum set me the task that if I was going to sing I should sound like Barbra Streisand – which you know is no small feat. I watched Funny Girl and I immediately fell in love with it. From there I learnt the Funny Girl soundtrack. Her voice is just incomparable to anyone else. It’s so effortless and easy, but she’s so expressive in her storytelling and the way that she articulates things, it’s all so clear and so crisp. I find it absolutely fascinating from a technical perspective, but it’s such a joy to listen to as well.”
Rachael shared with Glam how when audiences talk to her after the show, they all share how Barbra Streisand’s music has a special place in their lives, often sparking memories of moments in their lives.
“Whilst we have all of the main hits in the show that everyone would expect to come in here when they see a Barbra Streisand show, we also have quite a few of her B-side songs as well. They always get such a beautiful response. We often get told after the show ‘I remember where I was when I heard this song,’ or how some of those songs had huge effects on their lives.”
Performing and singing has always been a huge part of Rachael’s life.
“I started having singing lessons when I was about 11 or 12. I came from a very non-musical family, so before that, I definitely didn’t consider performing being an option. But once I started performing, I absolutely fell in love with musical theatre and being on the stage. From then, it’s been a huge passion of mine.”
With such a huge catalogue of songs to work with, it would not have been easy to select what has ended up in The Australian Barbra Streisand Show.
“I have six decades of music to choose from, so it actually was really, really hard to create the set list for the show – especially being a diehard Streisand fan! I had to really look at what people would want to hear that also represented her expansive career as well. So there’s a wonderful cross section of all the different genres that she’s sung – early jazz, movie and musical soundtracks and of course some daggy disco in there as well.”
We were curious to know if Rachael had a favourite Streisand song.
“Don’t Rain on My Parade is always a fun one to sing, just because you always have crowd involvement and everyone loves that one. But to be honest, for me, I think it’s always going to be My Man, which is the final number out of the movie Funny Girl. I think that that one for me just hits a good spot and it feels great to sing and that performance that Barbra gave of it where it’s just like the close-up of her, I’ve studied it and I’ve watched it on repeat. To get the opportunity to sing that song myself is such a joy.”
This Saturday, 14 September, Rachael will be performing two performances of The Australian Barbra Streisand Show at the Regal Theatre.
“It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of the music and the life of Barbra. I think that she has been such an astonishing ground breaker for women in music as well as the women in the creative industry in general. It’s going to be a great night full of this incredible artist’s music.”
The Australian Barbra Streisand Show
Saturday 14 September at 2pm and 8pm
The Regal Theatre, Kensington Road
https://markuspresents.com.au/
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