Reuters reports that Streisand will play 20 concerts in October and November in order to raise funds for several charities. In a statement, the award-winning singer-actress said, "The increasingly urgent need for private citizen support to combat dangerous climate change, along with education and health issues was the prime reason I decided to tour again. . . .This will allow me to direct funds and awareness to causes that I care deeply about." Proceeds will be distributed through The Streisand Foundation. That organization supports several causes, including "human rights, breast cancer support, the environment and public policy studies."

Barbra Streisand starred on Broadway in I Can Get It for You Wholesale and Funny Girl, earning Tony Award nominations for both performances. She received a 1970 Special Tony Award. The actress, composer and director has won two Academy Awards: for Best Actress in a Leading Role in "Funny Girl" and for Best Music, Original Song (with Paul Williams) for the "A Star Is Born" song "Evergreen." Her most recent CD is titled "Guilty Pleasures." Streisand last toured the U.S. in 1994; she also played concerts in Los Angeles and New York in 2001.

Five Barbra Streisand television specials — spanning the years 1965 to 1973 — were recently released in a DVD package set on the WEA/Warners label. "Barbra Streisand: The Television Specials" include "My Name Is Barbra" (1965), "Color Me Barbra" (1966), "The Belle of 14th Street" (1967), "Barbra Streisand: A Happening in Central Park" (1968) and "Barbra Streisand . . . And Other Musical Instruments" (1973).