Bette Middler Concert

Kent and I went to the Bette Middler concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. We were 1 row from the uppermost seats in the house, but centered. A few people below us asked how the weather was. I replied, ‘Raining’, but a man behind me made us all laugh with his answer, ‘Well, you’re lucky - it’s snowing up here!”.

We were a little disappointed with the show. First off, it was 15 minutes late getting started. It seemed we had to wait for the VIP’s in the front center seats to arrive. Perhaps they’d been having a little meet n’ greet with Bette - or whatever… I never expect a Las Vegas show to be late - they are always so professional.

Bette is a wonderful singer and when she sang we enjoyed. The sound was great - after all the theatre was built for the huge voice and persona of Celine Dion. We found there was way too much ’showgirl’, comedic, skit type of entertainment - and we were there to hear her sing - not play mermaid, use the ‘F’ word over and over and tell off-color old jokes - which we’d heard dozens of times.

Bette used a motorized wheel chair for much of her time on stage, a couch was wheeled out for her to rest on and when she skittered across the stage I was worried she’d fall. The stage seemed too big for her but she did go side to side occasionally - no wonder she needed the wheel chair!

Luckily, Kent and I know exactly what Bette looks like. From where we were seated all we could see was a bleached blonde head and glittery outfits. Her features were not distinguishable - and I never thought of taking binoculars. I wouldn’t have know it was her, except for her voice, and her distinctive little dancing steps. Where’d the red hair go? I think that disappointed me most of all!

The crowd was mostly our age and older. It was lovely to see the little old ladies all dressed up in their fancy duds.

Toward the end of the show, there was a large screen in the background showing her ‘in the old days’ singing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.That got the audience going - but overall, it wasn’t a great show and was reflected by the audience’s lack of participation and enthusiasm.