Vegas Report 4: Our Leap Day Anniversary with Bette Midler

Yesterday (Leap Day) was officially our 4th (16th) wedding anniversary. To mark it Gene bought Bette Midler tickets months ago.  Neither of us had ever been to one of her concerts but we both love her voice, her albums, movies, and basically anything she appears on, not to mention my all time favorite quote is hers:  "I wanted to leave you with the good beneath the gaudy, the saint beneath the paint, the pure little soul that lurks beyond this lurid exterior...but then again, I figured, f*** 'em if they can't take a joke."  My mantra.

Bette said in her show last night that she's evolved over the years:  30 years ago she was on drugs, now she's on medication so her new mantra with all the physicality of the show is "no seizures at Caesar's".  Time goes on and we're all getting older, eh?

To everyone who told me this would be the best show I've ever seen I have to tell you: you were absolutely unequivocably right!  How can so much energy, a voice that big, and such a tall cup of fun come out of such a teeny tiny person?  She's adorably little.  Not small in personality but definitely shorter and smaller than her Harlettes and her Vegas chorus line, the "Caesar Salads" and yet it's all about Bette every moment she's on stage.

The only way to really describe that show is that I laughed until I cried and cried until I cried.  The Delores DeLago and Sophie Tucker vignettes were gasping for breath funny while the calm ballads of The Rose, From a Distance, and When a Man Loves a Woman were incredibly moving in that way that makes you feel like you're the only one in the room with her.  Her voice is still as strong as ever and it's wonderfully chilling to hear her live in person.  No matter how great the technology gets, nothing will ever be the same as a live performance.

Sally will be amused by this count:  Bette said "f***" 7 times, "motherf***er"  3 times, "sonofabitch" 4 times, and "shit" countless times. Rock on. I loved it.

To Gene:  Best anniversary ever--thank you Baby!

To my favorite Fanilows, and you know who you are:  I still love Barry but I have to wonder--did Barry teach Bette how to put on a show like that, did Bette teach Barry, or did they learn it together growing up on stage together, so to speak?

Comments

[Auntie M]

I'm as green as Elfuba.....love you both. So happy you weren't disappointed.

[Glenna]

Auntie--LOL! Love the reference! And the next night with Amazing Jonathan even if he's not as famous was just as wonderful!

[Brave Sir Robin]

I saw her 28 years ago, and I still remember how blown away I was.

Lucky girl!

[Glenna]

Robin--I agree! I'm a very lucky girl!

[sher]

I've seen Bette in person twice, and it was the best concert I'd ever seen, both times. I saw her the first time in a tiny little San Francisco club, and then last year in a large concert hall. She is amazing. Love her and so glad you got to see it too. She's the best.

[Deborah]

Sounds like an F&4#ing good time! What a wonderful anniversary for you and Gene. All my best wishes for many more!

[Glenna]

Sher--I totally agree. She was fabulous!!!

Deborah--Thanks so much--it was!