Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures
Never Mind the Happy: An Evening with Marc Shaiman and Bette Midler, Feb 6, 2026
By Marc Shaiman & Bette Midler
Feb. 6, 2026
Conversation and screening start at $5. Signed book only: $35. Signed book + screening: Starts at $3 at Fri, Feb 6, 2026
Composer, lyricist, and music producer Marc Shaiman will sign copies of his book, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, followed by a lively conversation between him and the iconic Bette Midler.
The two will cap off this unforgettable evening with a screening of The First Wives Club—a comedy that showcases both of their talents to maximum effect, and a bona fide box office smash when it premiered in 1996.
The First Wives Club (1996)
Elise, Brenda, and Annie (a powerhouse assemblage of Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton), are three former college roommates who find their marriages in shambles by their mid-40s. Ultimately empowering each other and restoring their dignity—after making brutal jabs at each other—this indelible trifecta serves as… a restorative balm for scorned women everywhere. Buoyed by an Oscar-nominated score by Marc Shaiman, Midler captivates as the witty Brenda and offers her Tony-winning pipes for a cult-favorite rendition of Leslie Gore’s doo-wop hit “You Don’t Own Me.”
About our guests
Marc Shaiman is a renowned American composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer known for his work across film, television, and theater. Shaiman began his career as a musical director and arranger for Bette Midler before expanding into film scoring. He gained prominence with his work on films such as When Harry Met Sally, The Addams Family, Sister Act, City Slickers, A Few Good Men, Sleepless in Seattle, The American President, and South Park; on television with SNL, and on his recordings with Harry Connick Jr. and Mariah Carey. Shaiman earned widespread acclaim for co-writing the Broadway musical Hairspray alongside his longtime co-lyricist, Scott Wittman. The duo has also co-created the musicals Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Some Like It Hot, and Smash. He has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and has won a Tony, two Emmys, and two Grammys. Marc Shaiman is celebrated for his versatile, emotionally resonant music and his ability to blend classic musical theater sensibilities with modern storytelling. Born and raised in New Jersey, he currently lives in New York with his husband, Lieutenant Commander (ret) Lou Mirabal.
As one of the world’s best-loved and most versatile entertainers, Bette Midler has garnered accolades across all facets of show business. The Divine Miss M’s expansive body of work has been recognized with four Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, three Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and nine American Comedy Awards. In December 2021, Midler was inducted as part of the 44th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. One of the bestselling female singers, her albums have sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
On screen, some of her iconic films include The Rose, Beaches, two Hocus Pocus films, The First Wives Club, and The Stepford Wives, amongst others. On Broadway, she starred in one of the most celebrated musicals in theater history as “Dolly Gallagher Levin” in Hello Dolly! for which she won a Tony.
Midler founded the New York Restoration Project in 1995, an open space conservancy and New York City’s largest private land trust. NYRP is dedicated to protecting and preserving community gardens and other green spaces throughout all five boroughs. NYRP owns and manages 52 community gardens, maintains over 80 acres of parkland, and in collaboration with the New York City Parks Department, has planted over 1 million trees in New York City.
Schedule
5–6:30pm | Book signing
7pm | Conversation and screening of The First Wives Club
1996 | 103 min. | USA | Color | English | Rated PG | DCP
DIRECTED BY: Hugh Wilson
WRITTEN BY: Robert Harling
WITH: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith
Plan your Visit
Location
The Academy Museum and its theaters are located at 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Parking
Self-parking, accessible parking, and electric vehicle charging options are available. See below for our parking structure information and view the parking page for further details.
Ride-Share Drop Off
Roddenberry Lane, entrance on Fairfax Ave.
LACMA’s Pritzker Parking Garage
6000 W 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90036, entrance on 6th St.
5am–10pm
$20 ($12 after 8pm entry)
Accessible spots on P1, adjacent to elevators
EV charging stations on P1 and P2
Petersen Automotive Museum Garage
744 Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, entrance on Fairfax Ave. or 8th St.
6am–11pm
$24 (first 15 min. free)
Accessible spots on P1 only; no garage elevator
EV charging stations on P1
Theater Policies
Is there reserved seating for programs and screenings? What if I’m late to an event?
Seating in our theaters is unreserved and we do not permit seat-holding. Latecomers to screenings, including ticket holders, will be seated at the discretion of theater management. Admission to our theaters cannot be guaranteed once a screening has started. For all sold-out programs, please be in your seat 15 minutes prior to showtime so we may accommodate standby guests.
How do standby tickets work?
When advance tickets are sold out, a limited number of standby tickets may become available on the day of the screening or program. Guests can join the standby line for a chance to purchase these additional tickets. Standby tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available seats. The Academy Museum will have a standby line for all sold-out screenings, unless otherwise indicated. Please note, however, that there is no guarantee of admission for guests in our standby lines.
Are there any additional theater policies?
All screenings, film formats, and guests are subject to change without notice. Please check our screening calendar for the latest information.
Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult to all screenings and programs.
While in our theaters, we ask that you please turn off or silence all electronic devices.
No food or drinks are permitted except for bottled water.
Audio and video recording is prohibited.
Autographs are not allowed unless as part of a book signing or autograph session.
All theater and lobby areas will be cleared following each program, unless otherwise indicated.
For additional details, please see our FAQs page.
Accessibility
Audio Description
For visitors who are blind or partially-sighted, audio description devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis.
Real-time audio descriptions are available for some performances upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of describers. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request.
Closed Captioning
For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, in-seat closed captioning or descriptive audio-devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. Please confirm availability at academymuseum@oscars.org before planning your visit.
Real-time captioning is available for programs upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of captioners. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request.
Please see our Accessibility page for complete information, including details on our Visual Description Tours, Calm Mornings, and Covid-19 policies.
