85th Academy Awards 2013

Streisand / Television

85th Academy Awards (2013)

Aired: February 24, 2013 on ABC

Streisand sings with Hamlisch on screen behind her.

Academy Awards show producer Craig Zadan told Deadline Hollywood: “When we went to Barbra the first day we got the job , we said we are doing this theme of music and we said ‘how can we do it without you? We must have you’ and she said ‘yes’. What we didn’t know when we asked her is that she hadn’t sung on the show in 36 years since she won for “Evergreen”. How thrilling is it to have her be part of this.”



Zadan also told Vanity Fair: “We showed her the design for the [number] that she is doing, and she was enormously enthusiastic. I’ve only heard positive things from her and am absolutely looking forward to seeing her onstage.”



The night of the show, Streisand walked to the front of the stage humming the introduction to “The Way We Were.” Her song solo followed the In Memoriam segment and, above her on the Oscar stage was a photograph of Marvin Hamlish, who passed away last year.



“Marvin Hamlisch was a composer of extraordinary depth and versatility,” she said. “He was also a very kind and generous friend who could always make me laugh,” she said. “Over the years, we shared many adventures together. Marvin left us way too soon, but I'll always have those wonderful, wonderful memories ...”



Streisand sang a poignant version of “The Way We Were.” (watch it here)



The gorgeous backdrop she performed on was designed by Tony Award-winning set designer Derek McLane. He told Broadway World in 2014: “[Streisand] was very, very enthusiastic about the set after she saw it and I heard that from a number of people, including some of her friends who were also around for the show. And for a short time, she was interested in taking the set on tour with her to Europe. At the end of the day, it didn't work out because the set was not made to be tourable, but for me, that was obviously an enormous thrill and I got to chat with her briefly about it at the Governor's Ball. I was really honored and flattered that she was so appreciative. I had never met her before and have always been such a fan, she's such an icon, so that was truly thrilling.”

Streisand backstage at Oscars. Photo by: Kevin Mazur
Barbra received a standing ovation from the audience for her tribute to Hamlisch.

After the Oscar show, Streisand attended the official Oscars Governors Ball at Hollywood and Highland Center. 


"We’re like sisters!" Karan told InStyle.com at the Governors Ball after-party. Karan designed Streisand’s beautiful gown for the show. "It was really a collaboration to celebrate her shining star, and her lightness. That’s why it was black and gold. And then when we saw the set, it was one of those things that very rarely happen in life, it’s very rare that you get that pull. And she just radiated." Karan named the black, asymmetrical dress "City Lights," a construction of chiffon layers encrusted with matte gold sequins and beads complete with a long-sleeve capelet.


A few days after Barbra's stunning performance, Hamlisch's widow — Terre Blair Hamlisch — posted thanks on Marvin's website:


Thank you for your generosity to our Marvin! You were stunningly brilliant.You gave us all such a powerful transformative tribute for Marvin out of your deep love for him. 


Words are inadequate to express the deeply felt gratitude I feel to you for your kindness, courage, integrity and love. It was an unforgettable moment in my life and others. 


I love you and thank you from the depths of my heart. Marvin will always love you deeply forever and beyond.

Streisand chats with Richard Gere backstage at the Oscar television show.
Streisand, Adele, and Shirley Bassey smile for the photographer at the 2013 Academy Awards.

End / 2013 Oscar Academy Awards

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