Posted on Sun, Dec. 28, 2003
By ALAN K. STOUT
TimesLeader.com

WILKES-BARRE TWP. - "I'm not retiring and you can't make me!" shouted an energetic Bette Midler as she strutted across the stage during the opening number of her show Saturday at Wachovia Arena.

(Photo: John John)

Midler, perhaps taking a lighthearted jab at the abundance of "farewell tours" always on the concert trail, made it clear she isn't going anywhere and, considering the excellent and highly entertaining show she delivered, there's no reason she should.

Midler, 58, is still sexy, still a fine singer, and when she descended to the stage riding a white wood carnival horse while flashing her trademark big smile, she immediately proved she's still a great showman. Throughout her performance, she seamlessly combined music with theater and, equally important, engaging wit. Her humor, which was sometimes political, sometimes social, sometimes self-deprecating and sometimes crass, was one of the highlights of the evening, as were fun musical numbers such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and soulful songs like "When a Man Loves a Woman."

Midler's lighting was glitzy yet tasteful, and her powerful band, which featured a booming brass section, was excellent. The staging, which carried a carnival/beach theme, helped set the tone for many of the show's songs and added to the Broadway feel of the performance.

In addition to her own hits, Midler offered a few selections from her latest CD, "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook." She also offered a dazzling mini-play within the show, featuring mermaid-style costumes and colorful stage props. Later, Midler, courtesy of video screens, offered a sentimental duet with the late Fred Rogers of "I Like to Be Told." Her performance of the children's number, like everything in the show, worked very well and engaged the sold-out crowd of 8,000.

Midler's performance of "From a Distance" displayed the strength and beauty of her voice, while "Do You Want to Dance?" featured her ability to sing various musical genres - this time dipping into the world of R&B. Other highlights were a stirring performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings," which drew a standing ovation and, of course, "The Rose."

"I'm not retiring and you can't make me?" Who would want to?

Miss M. is still most divine.

The Divine Miss M transcends just about every label the thesaurus can deliver.
By Alexander Choman
Citizens' Voice Music Critic

One of show business' most outrageous performers, Bette Midler proved that her moniker is well deserved by staging a lavishly excessive stop on her "Kiss My Brass" tour at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza on Saturday night.

The sold-out performance featured songs from throughout the 58-year-old performer's career, including several multi-million selling albums as well as music from some of the 19 motion pictures in which she appeared.

(Photo: John John)

From the opening of the show, in which she rode in on a carousel horse high above the stage and audience, and throughout the two-and-a-half hour show, Midler never disappointed once those expecting her either to sing or act outrageously.

She paced the Wachovia Arena stage nervously throughout the night telling stories, cracking jokes and just being Bette.

For the most part, her humor was whip-crackingly sharp. Whether it was about Rush Limbaugh, Barry Manilow or even herself, the Divine Miss Excess knows how to be funny.

When she performed "Chapel of Love," video images of couples that have long since split rolled by on the drop-down video screens. She quipped, "I remember when exchanging vials of blood used to mean something!" as pictures of Angeline Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton rolled by. The audience devoured it.

Even those that consider her in excess (really?) had to be moved by Divine Miss M's vocal contributions. After all, this is how she started her career, folks.

Versions of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," Buzzy Linhart's "Friends" and "Chapel of Love," all from the first album, were superb. Likewise, "Skylark" from the self-titled second album and Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" were simply outstanding.

Probably the greatest thing about this show is that never once did Midler let her penchant for excess distract from her singing. The backing orchestra, directed by Bette Sussman, was outstanding.

Midler's selections from her most recent recordings, "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook," were excellent. "Come On-A My House" and "Tenderly" were thoughtfully arranged (via Manilow) and exceptionally presented. Midler shined brightly on vocals during both songs.

While the first part of the concert Saturday evening relied much more on earlier material, the second portion leaned on songs like "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "From A Distance," which continued to cement her reputation into the 1980s.

Watching her Saturday evening, it reminded me of how far this Jewish girl from Hawaii has really come. From performing free at New York hot spots like Hilly's and the Improvisation decades ago to becoming the darling of late night television via Johnny Carson and then sound and screen, she really has earned her way along the entire journey.

Can you imagine seeing her in the early days with her rock quartets and Barry Manilow as the musical director?

Saturday evening, Bette gave us her all. From Dolores de Lago to a video bit with Judge Judy and her failed television series, to the show stopping "The Rose," the Divine Miss Excess gave us everything.

Bette Midler, singer, comedienne and outrageous provocateur. The Divine Miss M transcends just about every label the thesaurus can deliver.

But simply put, what she is, is an entertainer. And a very, very good one at that!