Brooklyn’s native son opened the Barclays Center — and the borough’s favorite daughter made it feel like home.
Barbra Streisand made a triumphant return to the borough where she was born last night, waltzing through a crowd-pleasing mix of pop classics and show tunes in her first-ever show in Brooklyn.
There was schmaltz, glitz, and plenty of Brooklyn moxie as an older legion of fans filled the arena to see the Funny Girl, who became the second superstar to headline the new arena following rapper Jay-Z.
With guest stars including teen opera trio Il Volo, trumpeter Chris Botti, and Streisand’s son, the filmmaker and singer Jason Gould — plus the backing of a dynamic orchestra that handled the many style changes with aplomb — the eight-time Grammy Award-winner belted out tunes such as “The Way We Were” and a medley of “Rose’s Turn,” “Some People,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.”
And the former Williamsburger and East Flatbusher proved she still knows her way around the borough with a rendition of “You’re The Top” rewritten to include plenty of Brooklyn references.
The 70-year-old icon made three costume changes — showing off a black sequined skirt, vest, and blazer; a black sequined cape emblazoned with Brooklyn on the front and “Streisand” and the number 24 on the back; and a red empress number.
And she wasn’t the only superstar in the house.
The Barclays Center was a feast of celebrity sightings, with stars like Regis Philbin, Sting, and Ralph Lauren checking out the concert.
Streisand will play a second show at the arena tonight.
