Barbra Streisand to open new tour in Philadelphia

It could be Philadelphia's last chance to hear the legendary Barbra Streisand in concert.

On Oct. 8, she'll launch her first North American tour in six years with a performance at the Wells Fargo Center.

Although Streisand, who turned 70 in April, said her 2000 tour would likely be her last, she put on 20 shows across the United States in 2006, followed by seven more in Europe the following year.

In her long career, the singer turned actress and director - and activist - has been honored with two Oscars, 10 Grammys, a Tony and a dozen Golden Globes. With more than 50 gold albums, she's one of the best-selling female singers of all time.

At Philly's sold-out 2006 show, with some fans paying up to $750 for a seat, Streisand was warm and friendly, even kidding about politics in a bit with a George Bush impersonator. Her "voice accomplished what she was after, often with greater elegance than before," according to Inquirer critic David Patrick Stearns.

So far, this tour, also featuring trumpeter Chris Botti and Italian tenor trio Il Volo, has scheduled just eight dates. Besides Philadelphia, they are Brooklyn Oct. 11 and 13, Montreal Oct. 17, Ottawa Oct. 20, Toronto Oct. 23, Chicago Oct. 26, and Vancouver Oct 29.

Tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. through ComcastTix - www.comcasttix.com online or 1-800-298-4200 by phone - or in person at the Wells Fargo Center box office.