THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON

by ed bruce edbrucevegas@yahoo.com

Well she did.......eventually.....but cetainly not on time and thusly killed her chance for a perfect score......you lose one point for every minute late here.....and for this writer....you can never recover......Nat Cole, Sammy, Frank, or Moses retreating with the 10 commandments...none of it is ever excusable for being late ! 18 minutes here !

If they wanted to start at 748 they should have printed 748 on the tickets...I am an old man and I want to use every minute of whats left for my choices .....not for people who can't show up on time....who does this reflect on ? Who's name is on top of the bill ? Bette Midler ! I went to the Kingston Trio....started right on time....Nevada Chamber Orchestra....started right on time....two high school football games...started right on time....Ice at the Riveria started right on time....Jubile started right on time......50 years of baseball umpiring which I commanded, and they all started right on time.....am I beating this to death.....YES. If you spend 80 million dollars to produce a Las Vegas show it tells me you have some quality committment to the total picture.....starting on time is the first ! I don't mean one second, one minute, or one hour late....WHAT THE HELL IS 730 ?.....WELL IT IS NOT 730 FOR BETTE....maybe they could rename the show .....THE SHOWGIRL MUST GO ON EVENTUALLY ! One other negative....this a bit too loud with two too many sets of percussion.....for now I am working on no drums for everything the rest of my life.

ENOUGHT OF THAT !

MY WIFE JANET SAID THIS WAS THE BEST THING SHE HAS EVER SEEN AND I AM INCLINED TO PUT IT UP ON THE TOP LEVEL MYSELF.......... ALONG WITH SAMMY !

WHAT A SHOW !

This was the ultimate production once it got going....huge video backdrops.....enormous stage 120 feet by 60 feet deep....great seating...excellent sight lines, fabulous lighting and production !

THE GIRLS.....18 PLUS BETTE AND 3 SEMI HEADLINERS multi costumed with super extravegent production numbers.....it has been a long time since I have seen a line of show girls of this extent, quality and size.....they looked like they were all cut out of the same mold...6 foot 8 and terrific legs. Also they all gave that super effort with "I am happy to be here on their projected efforts". The production numbers were just over the top backed by 16 semi too loud muscians who never missed a note.....you would think someone who could produce this could start on time...but not this night.

It was November 30th the eve of Bette's 63 birththday and publicist Christi Reynolds arrived on time with a great press kit, a welcome and info about the show.....here is an act illustrating the detail and character of quality in what they are doing....this is first class exactly like the show we saw at CAESARS PALACE LAS VEGAS. CAESARS is headling BETTE, CHER, ELTON JOHN AND CELINE in this showroom, they have a hell of plan going......wonder if they start on time ?

Oh....how about Bette Midler ? Impossible not to love her....great talent, super stage presence, wise ass, looks good, great attitude, great effort, team player, seems to enjoy the game and really gives you your moneys worth with this effort. Bette is not Judy Collins, Peggy lee, Linda Eder or Eartha Kitt among the top singers I have heard....she probably is more because of her history, her continuity and her ability to pull off a show like this, if not on time.

I like showgirls and big colorful choreography numbers....here the best.....the mermaids, the motor chairs, the hydraulic cylinders, and so much more. In fairness to this review....the show is so good that mine or any other review cannot do any justice to the production.....ITS A MUST SEE. I was thinking the producers of Cris Angels show should get there asses over to Caesars and see how its done !

A friend said to me that Bettes show is not new...it sure as hell is not...altho some of her standup comedy material was most current.....this show is reworking Bettes themes and it is perfect songs to fit Frankie Valli's theme...."all the great music has been written". It has ! ! ! I prefer the old stuff....tried and true and when you can get Bette Middler to do it you have utopia !

82 B- for this 7:48 pm show that on its own merits is as good as anything this reporter has ever seen.