Sing Out, Barbra

For the last few days rumors have been swirling about a movie remake of Gypsy starring Barbra Streisand.  It was on, then off, now it's on again.  There had allegedly been trouble over the rights from creators Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim. (I'm not sure if composer Jule Styne's estate has anything to say).

Sondheim has had several of his shows adapted for the big screen, and the only one he thought worked was the Tim Burton Sweeney Todd.  In general he doesn't believe musicals translate well.  Arthur Laurents, now in his 90s (Sondheim is only in his 80s), has always been persnickety, so it's hard to be sure why he opposes it. (Maybe it's like the old joke about Irving Berlin in his 90s refusing Steven Spielberg the rights to "Always"--"I have plans for that song.")

Gyspy has already been turned into a movie--a bad one--in 1962, starring Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood.  There was also a well-rated TV version in the 90s starring Bette Midler, so I don't know why the boys would fear another shot at it.  It doesn't mean the show won't be performed any more--it's King Lear for aging divas, and has been revived on Broadway four times since the original Ethel Merman production in 1959.

I admit the movie probably won't work.  There's not much clamor for it, and Gypsy is a piece truly designed for the stage.  But the number one diva of our time as the lead is irresistible.  Streisands's almost 70, and just as she burst onto the screen in Funny Girl, here's a chance to go out in a blaze of glory.  Even it's a train wreck, I'd go see it.