Tonys: Barbra Streisand to make first appearance in 46 years
Breaking an extended absence that stretches back to 1970, when she accepted a Special Tony Award, Barbra Streisand has joined the lineup of presenters scheduled to appear at the upcoming 70th edition of Broadway's big night, June 12.
She adds her name to a previously announced list of presenters that includes Oprah Winfrey, Cate Blanchett, Steve Martin, Edie Brickell, Carole King, Audra McDonald, Saoirse Ronan, Patina Miller and Nathan Lane.
Broadway played a significant role in the early days of Streisand's career in the 1960s, before she left the musical-theater stage to focus on recording and concert tours, as well as screen acting, directing and producing. She is a member of the elite EGOT club of artists who have received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony honors.
See photos of Barbra Streisand through the years:
Streisand made her Broadway debut in the scene-stealing featured role of Miss Marmelstein in the 1962 musical, I Can Get It For You Wholesale, landing her first Tony nomination; and then graduated to leading lady in 1964 playing Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, which earned her a lead actress Tony nomination and a best actress Oscar for the 1968 movie version.
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Broadway has remained a key part of Streisand's musical repertoire over the decades, generating The Broadway Album in 1985 and Back to Broadway in 1993. Her third Broadway album, Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway, is due out later this year.
Her appearance on the Tony Awards precedes Streisand's nine-city North American concert tour, kicking off Aug. 2 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Hosted by James Corden, the Tonys will air live from New York's Beacon Theatre on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/delayed PT. This year's ceremony is expected to be dominated by Lin-Manuel Miranda's monster hit Hamilton, which leads the field with a record-setting 16 nominations.
Read More: Tonys: Oprah Winfrey, Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett Among First Group of Presenters
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