Streisand ‘Star Of Decade’

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32282, 28 April 1970, Page 8

Streisand ‘Star Of Decade’

Barbra Streisand was saluted as “star of the decade” at the 24th annual Tony awards ceremony in New York last week.

Other major award’s went to Lauren Bacall as the best musical actress, and a special award went to Noel Coward for his multiple contributions to English-language theatre.

The Antoinette Perry awards —the correct name for the Broadway equivalent of the Oscars—were presented by the screen stars Shirley MacLaine, Walter Matthau, Julie Andrews and Michael Caine.

The English designer, Cecil Beaton, .won a Tony for the costumes in the musical, “Coco.”

The veteran acting couple, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, and the New York producer, Joseph Papp, were honoured with special Tony awards for outstanding contributions to their specialities in the theatre. Miss Streisand made her Broadway debut in the 1962 musical, “I Can Get It For You Wholesale.” Two years later, she rose to stardom as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl.”

She won an academy award last year for her role in the film of “Funny Girl,” which established her as one of the top international film stars. Sir Noel Coward, who is 70, made his first stage appearance 60 years ago. He is known for sophistication and wit in his plays, music and lyrics as well as in his performances. A revival of one of his most popular comedies, “Private Lives,” is

one of Broadway’s most successful shows at present. Tammy Grimes, star of the play about a divorced husband and wife who run away with each other while honeymooning with their new spouses, won the award for, best dramatic actress and received her statuette from the British star, Michael Caine.