Barbra, you are so humble and hard on yourself. When you say "The girl wasn't half bad." That's is like saying Lalique crystal is average. Your voice is a soaring one that touches me and millions deeply. You have made my life so happy and full of joy on a daily basis.

I survived growing up in Metro Detroit by having your music to listen to and your movies to watch. "Funny Girl" was a life altering experience and I have seen everyone of your movies on opening day, except for the "The Owl and the Pussycat," as when it was released it was rated "x" and I was only 10. Funny, in today's world it would be rated PG-13.

I laugh when you say "the girl wasn't half bad." You are amazing and still have the ability to touch me very deeply. Whenever I am down I can always count on one of your recordings or films to make me happy and feel good.

Barbra, you are too humble and hard on yourself. You are the most amazing voice and artist that I have ever experienced and I began my journey with you at age 5 when my Mom wanted me to stay up and watch: "My Name is Barbra." I was totally blown away at age 5 and very lucky that my parents were big fans so we had all your albums. I grew up in a neighborhood where you were revered and we used to go every Saturday to the Northland theater to see "Funny Girl" on it's road show engagement. It played at the Northland for over a year and a half.

Just know your are the greatest talent of the 20th Century and and now the 21st Century
I have also been fortunate enough to see you in Concert 5 times I saw you 3 times at Madison Square Garden in 1994, as I was living in New York then, and flew in to see you at the Palace, as my Family was friends with Bobby and Sue-sue Sosnick and they got us amazing seats that we, of course, paid for. My last time seeing you was in 2006 when my cousin drove me to Columbus, Ohio. That was incredible as I had the best seat ever. I was 3rd row Center aisle. It was the night of my life. I will be traveling to Toronto to see you on October 23, 12. I am so excited I can hardly wait.

You have always been my inspiration as a young gay teen I did not fit into Metro Detroit. I knew I had to escape to New York and I studied every day to get accepted to New York University where I hold a BFA in Film. I also was inspired by you to become a Tap Dancer, when I got to New York. It was my dream to tap, like my Sister's as a child yet that was not acceptable in Metro Detroit in the '60s. When I moved to New York I started taking Tap lessons and became an advanced Tap dancer. I also left New York to attend Pharmacy School in Boston, MA. Again, you were my inspiration. I used to play a "Piece of Sky" before every exam and graduated with high honors and am a member of Sigma Rho Ki. The national Pharmacy Honor Society.

Unfortunately, I injured myself tap dancing and my tap coach told me to just put in ice, I should of known better. I tapped until I was crippled and eventually had to move back to Metro Detroit, a place I never though I would be in again.

You have made living here tolerable through your music and movies I find a way to make each day a happy one even though I now suffer from RSD which is chronic pain syndrome in my ankle.

Thanks for inspiring me every day to be a better person and a happier one as well. My Mom and I watch your movies all the time. I hope you end up making "Gypsy" as it is my all time favorite Broadway Show, as I was too young to see "Funny Girl" when it was on Broadway. My parents were fortunate enough to see "Gypsy" on Broadway with Ethel Merman, my Mom loved it and I knew the entire score by age 3. We had a player piano and my Mom would sing the score every day. I love "Gypsy" so much I even name one of my Rhodesian Ridgebacks "Gypsy" My other is named "Gavin" after John Gavin and my first Rhodesian whom I had for 12.5 years was named "Sadie." I try and attach pictures yet they are too big to fit in on the site. If your not familiar with the breed you should look them up, they are incredible and beautiful dogs. They are Lion Hunters from Africa, yet they are gentle and kind and love your music as well.

Best Wishes,
Jeffrey Freedman
Tapking30