After two years of industry speculation, talk is heating up that a fall tour by Barbra Streisand is in the works. It would be her first outing since performing Oct. 2005 at the Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children Benefit Concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Sources tell Billboard.biz that Rolling Stones promoter Michael Cohl is in talks to produce the trek.
Streisand’s manager would not confirm any details of a tour, but did not rule it out. “A tour is being explored, but nothing has been finalized, including important aspects not entertained in the media speculation today. As soon as this is resolved one way or the other—she may not go out—the facts will be announced.”
Published reports that ticket prices would top out at $1,500 are incorrect, a source close to the Streisand tour camp tells Billboard.biz.
History shows that Streisand has not balked at exorbitant ticket prices and consumers have not balked at paying them. Outside of the Children Benefit Concert and a John Kerry fundraiser in 2004, Streisand’s last public performances were Sept. 27-28 in 2000 at Madison Square Garden, two sellouts that grossed $14.4 million. Ticket prices for that show, billed as Streisand’s farewell, were $2,500, $1,275, $375, $150, according to Billboard Boxscore.
Streisand charged the same prices for Sept. 20-21 shows that year at Staples Center, grossing $12.6 million. Millennium sellouts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas grossed $18.2 million, with tickets topping out at $2,500.
Streisand has been credited with shattering the glass ceiling on concert prices with her 1993-94 that sold out 22 dates with tickets as high as $350. That tour grossed nearly $60 million.
Michael Cohl could not be reached for comment.
