In a fascinating revelation from a recent podcast interview, a nearly legendary collaboration between three of the most iconic names in entertainment — Madonna, Barbra Streisand, and Bette Midler — almost came to fruition. The three music icons were in talks to record a rendition of the classic Broadway song “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” from Annie Get Your Gun in 1993. However, despite a promising concept, the collaboration never materialized.
The nearly realized collaboration was first discussed in a resurfaced interview from the January 2023 episode of the Barbra Archives podcast. During the episode, Jay Landers, Streisand’s A&R representative, shared details about the original concept. He explained that during the production of Streisand’s 1993 album Back to Broadway, someone suggested a new version of the classic Broadway tune.
As the team began planning the tracklist, they sought out the perfect performers to bring their vision to life. Landers recalled, “We chose Madonna and Bette [Midler] for the track. It was going to be the three of them.”
The track would have been arranged by famed composer David Foster, who had a clear vision for how each artist’s unique style could complement the song. Madonna, known for her iconic pop sound, was set to sing her line with a disco beat, bringing her signature style to the piece. Midler, on the other hand, would have offered a nod to her powerful anthem “Wind Beneath My Wings” with a brief homage, further diversifying the sound.
The concept for the arrangement was that the trio would perform in a ladies’ room, with Madonna and Midler bickering and complaining about one another. At the climactic moment, Streisand, who had been silent up until then, would emerge from a stall, announcing that she had overheard the entire exchange. It was a unique and playful setup, showcasing the diverse personas of these three icons.
Despite the concept receiving initial enthusiasm from all parties, the collaboration never happened. Madonna, who had originally agreed to participate, backed out just before recording was set to begin. The reasons for her withdrawal remain unclear, with Landers describing the situation as “one of those fish that got away stories.”
Although the trio never united to create the track, Streisand’s Back to Broadway album still featured other notable collaborations. Johnny Mathis joined Streisand for “I Have a Love/One Hand, One Heart” from West Side Story, and Michael Crawford, Streisand’s Hello, Dolly! costar, also appeared on the album, performing “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera.
Streisand’s connection to Broadway goes back decades. She made her Broadway debut in 1962 at the age of 19 in I Can Get It for You Wholesale, where she played Miss Marmelstein. The role earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, and she later received a special Tony Award in 1970 for her outstanding contributions to Broadway.
Though the collaboration between Madonna, Midler, and Streisand never came to be, fans are left to wonder what could have been — a musical powerhouse of legendary voices joining forces for a Broadway classic.
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