Barbra Streisand, who launched her acting and singing career on Broadway in the early 1960s, returns to the Great White Way June 12 as a presenter at the 2016 Tony Awards. The category she will present was not announced, but big star guests with a background in musicals often give the Best Musical Award.
It will be Streisand's first appearance at the Tony Awards since 1970, when she was given a special Tony honor as “Star of the Decade.”
Streisand was nominated twice for Tony Awards, but lost both times. She was nominated for Best Supporting or Featured Actress in a Musical for I Can Get It For You Wholesale in 1962 (losing to Phyllis Newman for Subways Are for Sleeping), and as Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her iconic performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (losing to Carol Channing for Hello, Dolly!) in 1964.
She went on to a film and recording career that included movie adaptations of both Funny Girl and Hello, Dolly!
While Funny Girl supplied Streisand's last Broadway role, she has continued her interest in theatre music. Her The Broadway Album (1985) and Back to Broadway 1993, both went multi-platinum. Her third Broadway album, ENCORE: Movie Partners Sing Broadway, is scheduled for release later this year. The Tony appearance will kick off a nine-city North American concert tour titled The Music...The Mem'ries...The Magic!
Hosted by James Corden, the telecast will broadcast live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City, on the CBS television network, Sunday, June 12, 8-11 PM. (ET/PT time delay). The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.
