Fate of Streisand O.C. Concerts Is Expected Today

As an air of disappointment and anticipation hangs over Barbra Streisand’s fans, an announcement is expected today regarding the rescheduling of her canceled opening at The Pond of Anaheim and the fate of her remaining five concerts here.

“I’m more distraught than when Nixon died,” said Don Higgins of Huntington Beach, a sign maker who spent $275 and four hours in line for tickets to Wednesday’s concert for himself and his wife, Gloria, who runs a child-care center.

The singer canceled Wednesday’s show because of a bout of viral tracheal laryngitis. Her representatives said the show most likely will be rescheduled. “Those with tickets, hold onto them,” urged Anne Bendheim, a spokeswoman for the promoter.

But by Wednesday night, there still was no official word about a new date or about the rest of the Anaheim engagement (the next show is scheduled Friday night). Officials said they wanted to wait another day to see if Streisand’s condition improves.

Streisand was resting at her Beverly Hills home. She reportedly had been ailing for several days before deciding on doctors’ orders to postpone.

“She’s under medication, and she has been ordered to maintain strict voice rest,” said one of her spokesmen. “That means no talking at all, and obviously no singing.”

The cancellation caused a ripple effect among businesses in the area, from restaurants to limousine services. As one fan said: “It’s amazing how one case of laryngitis can affect so many people.”

“Oh, it’s been horrible!” said Debbie Marshall, co-owner of Mr. Stox in Anaheim. A week ago, the restaurant had Wednesday night reservations for all 300 of its seats, having offered a special hassle-free package: Park for free, chow down, then, for $6, hop a “luxury” bus for the one-mile ride to The Pond.

By 8 Wednesday morning, restaurant employees were on the phone, calling everyone with a reservation, including one unhappy couple who had flown from New York just for the concert and who couldn’t stay around.

“They said they’d bought their plane tickets way in advance and would be leaving town,” Marshall said, adding: “I feel sorry for all the people who had limos already ordered.”

Indeed, some who’d booked a stretch with Ultimate Limousine were feeling sorry for themselves.

“I had two couples flying in from Arizona on a private jet,” said Ultimate owner Andy Wagner, who had about a dozen reservations for the evening. “We were going to pick them up from the airport, take them to dinner, then to the concert, then afterward maybe a little sightseeing, then back to the airport. This ruined their day.”

At The Pond Wednesday morning, box office and administrative staff answered a constant barrage of phone queries about the cancellation, even as workers continued to ready Streisand’s dressing room and technicians checked the sound inside the arena, where the stage and floor seats already were in place.

Outside, ticket holders made their way in a small but steady stream to the one box office window that was open. “I’m disappointed because I was thinking I’d be here for opening night,” said Myra Ross of Irvine, who remained confident that the show would be rescheduled and not canceled outright.

It made no difference to Kenneth and Alice Wright of Manchester, England. They had hoped Streisand would be the final treat of a three-week U.S. vacation, but because they must fly back home early Saturday morning, they--like the couple from New York--had no hope of attending a rescheduled concert.

“I’m awfully disappointed, you know,” said Alice, who stood outside the box office holding up the cash she’d just been refunded. “There’s the money. I’d rip it up if I could see her.

Meanwhile, at a boutique of Streisand merchandise at the Bullock’s store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, fans expressed anxiety about the remaining concerts while browsing through items that ranged from $25 T-shirts to $400 jackets.

“At this point,” said Ellen Abel of Costa Mesa, who has tickets to Friday’s show, “I’m praying.”

Times staff writer Zan Dubin contributed to this story.