Barbra Streisand Is "Devastated" Over Marvin Hamlisch's Death, Expands Fall Dates Beyond NYC

BarbraStreisand.comBarbra Streisand is "devastated" by the passing of famed composer Marvin Hamlisch, who won an Oscar for composing one of the diva's signature tunes, "The Way We Were."

In a statement to ABC News Radio, Streisand says, "I’m devastated. He was my dear friend. He’s been in my life ever since the first day I met him in 1963, when he was my rehearsal pianist for Funny Girl. He played at my wedding in 1998… and recently for me at a benefit for women’s heart disease."

She continues. "The world will remember Marvin for his brilliant musical accomplishments, from A Chorus Line to The Way We Were, and so many others, but when I think of him now, it was his brilliantly quick mind, his generosity, and delicious sense of humor that made him a delight to be around."

The star adds that she tried to reach Hamlisch "just last night," so she could "tell him how much I loved him" and let him know she wanted to use a song of his that she had heard for the first time.  "He was a true musical genius," she finishes, "but above all that, he was a beautiful human being. I will truly miss him."

In happier Streisand news, the legend has now announced six additional performances this October, in addition to the two shows she already announced in her native Brookly.

Streisand will perform in Philadelphia, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Chicago and Vancouver throughout October, with special guests Chris Botti and Il Volo.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, August 11 for the Montreal show, and Monday, August 13 for the other shows.

As previously reported, she'll perform at Brooklyn's new Barclays Center on October 11 and 13.

Here are Streisand's new dates:

10/8 -- Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center
10/17 -- Montreal, QC, Bell Centre
10/20 -- Ottawa, OT, Scotiabank Plaza
10/23 -- Toronto, OT, Air Canada Centre
10/26 -- Chicago, IL, United Center
10/29 -- Vancouver, BC, Rogers Arena

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