About the Author:
Tom Santopietro has worked for the past twenty years in New York theater as a manager of moiré than two dozen Broadway shows, including A Few Good Men, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, A Doll's House, Master Class, Tru, The Iceman Cometh, and Noises Off. A graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law, Tom and the American Bar Association are equally happy that he is not practicing law.
Review:
Praise for The Importance of Being Barbra
"Not at all the average fan tribute, The Importance of Being Barbra mixes milk-and-honey admiration with bracing shots of vinegar. Tom Santopietro 'gets' his idol---loves her for what she is, understands what she is not (but still could be!). His book is smart, funny, right-on. An encyclopedic must-read for anybody who has pondered the greatness, perfection, and oddities of Miss Streisand."
---Liz Smith, New York Post columnist
"An astute and thorough analysis of Streisand's career told in a brisk and engaging style while carefully establishing Streisand as a major cultural icon."
---A. R. Gurney Jr., author of Love Letters and Scenes from American Life
"For both fan and non-fan this is a fast-paced examination of a superstar's career. A great read."
---Bob Avian, Tony Award--winning choreographer of A Chorus Line and Ballroom
"Tom Santopietro's [The Importance of Being Barbra is an] encyclopedic but wonderfully entertaining account of Barbra Streisand's career, one 'unparalleled in the history of show business.' Who could argue? Who could resist?"
---Jay Presson Allen, screenwriter of Cabaret and Funny Lady "Here at last is a book that treats Streisand like the remarkable artist she is. Not just for fans."
---Jeanine Basinger, author of American Cinema: One Hundred Years of Filmmaking
Santopietro, Tom. The Importance of Being Barbra. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin's. Jun. 2006. c.256p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-312-34879-7 [ISBN 978-0-312-34879-3]. $22.95. MUSIC There is no doubt that Barbra Streisand has enjoyed one of the greatest show business careers of all time. But with countless biographies of the songstress already in print, why add another one to the collection? This book by Streisand's ultimate fan, theater manager Santopietro, is different, less a biography than an analysis of the star's recordings, films, theatrical career, television appearances, and concerts. Though occasionally over the top (he calls Streisand "Babs"), Santopietro holds strong opinions on all things Streisand that are usually right on. He observes her successes as well as her bloopers, e.g., what was she thinking with A Star Is Born? Only one thing nags at the reader: who is this guy? Does having stage managed a couple dozen New York City shows give him the credentials to critique (Rosellen Brewer Library Journal)
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