The Showgirl Must Go On

For 90 minutes, Bette Midler raced back and forth across the truly colossal Colosseum stage. Her patterned walk was all but manic, her jokes tart, punching and bawdy. The show had 20 leggy chorines and of course, 3 fabulous Harlettes. As Bette exults however, “The best thing is, not one of them is a French-Canadian circus performer,”referring to the ubiquity of the Cirque du Soleil brand in the city. I had enough of that after one show. I think there are 4 at all times in Las Vegas!

She performed all of her standards — “Do You Want to Dance?,” “From a Distance,” “Hello in There,” "Hero," "Glory of Love," and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". I think because the city was once a refuge for the oddballs Ms. Midler’s Delores DeLago character, the wheelchair-riding mermaid with the odoriferous lounge act, was right at home. "Do You Want To Dance" makes me think of a deep connection with someone. The song, to me, is so sexy, long, and passionate. "From A Distance" was marked with deep, heartfelt emotion for which she ended by covering her face, as if God was ashamed. The song always gets me because I too think he is sometimes ashamed. "Hello In There" reminds me of my grandpa whom I love so deeply and am slowly watching become a lost soul. The song reminds me of this fragility. How can people who have had the most wonderful and interesting life experiences be lost. Will the stories ever be lost too? I want everyone to live forever. I wanted to immediately call both my grandparents and say I love them, because I do. "Hero" makes me think of those that have an unending belief in me, who despite any transgressions on my part, continue to think I am wonderful. In turn, I think they are my heroes. I put my arm around Jody during that song and I thought of Diane. Both have been there always, through thick and thin. "The Glory of Love" made me cry because that is Mitzie's song. I've sung it to her for years. As she ages, the song's words, "You've got to give a little, take a little, and let your poor heart break a little..." are all about my little, black aging puppy. The thought of losing her is like losing a child, a 13 year old child. As she gets older, I worry and I fret. Thank God, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" is just pure joy. No lamenting, no pining, just perfect 40's inspired Big Band, which I love. The jokes, raunchy and wrong, fill the space in between. It was joyous.

So, for me, Bette Midler's The Showgirl Must Go On is my life. It is the epitome of the ways I feel and think, know and love. She sings the words that I want to, with the emotion I feel and with the deep understanding about life. Each song is a jewel and each joke a piece of candy. I already need to go back and laugh and reminisce again. Bette Midler reminds me of who I want to be.