Barbra Streisand to Direct Colin Firth & Cate Blanchett in SKINNY AND CAT

Showbiz411 reports that Barbra Streisand is set to direct SKINNY AND CAT, an epic love story starring Colin Firth and Cate Blanchett. The film will mark the singer's first directorial project in 16 years.

SKINNY AND CAT follows the love affair between writer Erskine Caldwell and photojournalist Margaret Bourke White. Linda Yellen is producing from a script she wrote. The film will be independently financed and is scheduled to begin production in January of 2013.

Streisand last directed 1996's "The Mirror Has Two Faces". The actress has paved the way for other female directors in the industry. Her directorial debut, 1983's Yentl, caused a stir in Hollywood but opened the door for the likes of Kathryn Bigelow, Penny Marshall, Amy Heckerling, Nora Ephron, Betty Thomas and Susan Seidelman.

The singer will soon perform at Brooklyn's new Barclay Center, a concert billed as her 'return to Brooklyn.' Tickets for the event were sold out immediately. She will soon be seen on the big screen opposite Seth Rogen in "The Guilt Trip" due out this Christmas. Streisand is rumored to be starring in an upcoming film adaptation of Broadway's 'Gypsy.'

Streisand has appeared on Broadway in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE and FUNNY GIRL. She has also received a special Tony Award. Her film work includes FUNNY GIRL, FUNNY LADY, YENTL, and NUTS. A lauded performer, she has won numerous awards including the Oscar, Grammy, and Emmy awards.

Barbra's 63rd album, "Love Is The Answer," was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) just months after debuting at #1 on the Billboard Charts. Additionally, Barbra is the recipient of 30 platinum albums and 13 multi-platinum albums. Her newest album, "What Matters Most," was released on Aug. 22, 2011.

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