Who started that false rumor that Barbra hardly ever tours? "Simply Streisand," a wonderful, funny and respectful send-up of Barbra Streisand in concert is on the road most of the year.
New Yorker Steven Brinberg plays his idol. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, he slightly exaggerates Streisand's iconic mannerisms. But when he sings, Brinberg is the real deal. Whether he performs one of the greatest star's iconic songs, or a tune she should have sung, Simply Barbra belts it out. There's no lip-synching here: Brinberg was blessed with a powerful set of pipes in his own right. When he faces his audience, he actually sounds like Barbra Streisand.
On Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28, Brinberg returns to San Francisco for a two-night stand at Feinstein's at the Nikko. Both performances commence at 7pm.
Brinberg said that the real Ms. Streisand is aware of his performances. "She needs to see it!" he said. "She really needs to see this show! It's about 'Funny Lady!' "
"Funny Lady" was the 1975 sequel to 1968's "Funny Girl," the film that won Streisand an Oscar for her portrayal of Fannie Brice, a Broadway and Vaudeville star of the 1920s and '30s.
Brinberg explained why he chose "Funny Lady" as the theme for his new show.
"Because its forty years," he said. "I like to cover all the Barbra anniversaries in my shows."
Brinberg says that his shows have a broad appeal. Like the diva herself, his audiences are a mix of gays and straights. "It's classy, as Barbra shows always are," he said.
Although he has never met Streisand, he has performed extensively with the late Marvin Hamlisch, who served as Streisand's musical arranger and close friend.
"I came really close to meeting her recently," he said. "Marvin's wife insisted that I perform at a Hamlisch tribute concert. There was talk of Barbra making a surprise appearance."
Alas, the star didn't show, but Barbra's sister Roslyn Kind has seen Simply Barbra , as have other luminaries like Liza Minnelli and Whoopi Goldberg. He has also performed with cabaret stars Lainie Kazan, Jaye P. Morgan and Kaye Ballard.
Brinberg says that Streisand is the last of her breed.
"Nobody can ever reach those heights again because the business has changed so much," he opined. "Everything she did was such a huge event."
When you see Steven Brinberg in concert as Simply Barbra, that era almost comes to life again.
Steven Brinberg performs 'Simply Barbra' at Feinstein's at the Nikko June 27 & 28 at 7pm. $25-$40 ($20 food/drink min; 18% gratuity). Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason St. www.ticketweb.com