Like most closeted gay children, I knew that I was different from everyone else at a very young age. A lot of grown “adult” men in my life made sure that I knew that. I was labeled dramatic, sissy, obsessive, weird, and of course… f*ggy.
I remember exactly the moment when I first heard the opening chords to “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and was completely overtaken by this absolutely fierce, extremely resonate, and undoubtedly powerful voice that could cut through glass. “Who’s singing this?” I asked my parents. “Oh, that’s Barbra Streisand.” Barbra. Streisand. I didn’t know a thing about her, but suddenly I knew that I absolutely needed to know everything. What followed then, was hours and hours and HOURS on YouTube, finding every single Streisand video I could find. My fifth grade teacher let me borrow a box of movie musicals, and I remember finding Funny Girl in that pile like I had just found precious buried treasure. I watched it probably three times that in just one weekend.
Watching this absolutely captivating woman own her space, while being both powerful and deeply feminine, changed something in me. I realized that it was not only okay to be weird, but that being weird was a super power. The world is gonna want you to be “normal,” yet it envies and tears down those who aren’t. You can be strong without taking away space from others. You can not only be an artist and political, but as an artist - it is our DUTY to be political. That’s what Streisand has taught me.
Next month, I will be making my producing and musical arranging debut at
@54below with 54 Sings The Second Barbra Streisand Album. I can say - without a doubt - this is one of the most personal and precious shows I have ever worked on. This show, in its own way, is paying tribute to Barbra Streisand, the artist and storyteller. I can’t wait to share it with the world on Thursday, May 21 at 9:30pm. Tickets avail at 54below.org/barbra.
But for now, happy birthday
@barbrastreisand . 💛💐
