Bette Midler News

When the weather heats up, Uptown Underground is the cool place to be for Top Shelf Retrotainment including burlesque, vaudeville, variety, magic, comedy and more.

On the heels of its hit production Miracle!, Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2015-16 season with BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, a musical tribute to the legendary Bette Midler starring Caitlin Jackson, directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik with music direction by Jeremy Ramey as Barry Manilow.  BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS will play July 17 - August 21, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. Tickets are currently on sale at www.handbagproductions.org.  The press opening is Saturday, July 18 at 8 pm. 

On the heels of its hit production Miracle!, Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2015-16 season with BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS, a musical tribute to the legendary Bette Midler starring Caitlin Jackson, directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik with music direction by Jeremy Ramey as Barry Manilow. BETTE, LIVE AT THE CONTINENTAL BATHS will play July 17 - August 21, 2015 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St. in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. The press opening is Saturday, July 18 at 8 pm. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

Tonight, June 12 from 7 to 10 p.m., The Jost Project will perform at Chris' Jazz Cafe and salute a legend in Philadelphia - Composer Evan Solot.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Tonys and the Jeffs bring honor and fun, and 'On Your Feet' and 'Beaches' aim for the future. Bette will be in town, Spike Lee films, 'Les Mis' and 'All Shook Up' play our southern environs, and 'The Secret Garden' and 'The Pied Piper' bring children's classics to life. Next week: Regional Summer Theaters!

Bette Midler graced the stage of the Palace of Auburn Hills on Wednesday, presenting her newest show, 'Divine Intervention,' to a crowd of thousands of ardent fans. She brought a message of hope to the multitudes, saying 'Never give up on Detroit!' The irrepressible diva flaunted a wardrobe of many colors, a painting of Michelangelo's 'The Creation of Adam' from The Sistine Chapel photo shopped with her lovely arm and face replacing those of God, a den of Harlettes, majestic trumpeters, and the gospel according to Bette: 'I came here to lift your spirits, like a boob job for your soul.'

We talk to the actress, singer and impressionist about her recent trip to the UK...

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College is pleased to announce the addition of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Darlene Love to its 2015-16 season, performing a concert of her numerous hits on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 8pm. Ms. Love is the latest name added to Brooklyn Center's lineup, which also includes season opener Michael Feinstein, a holiday concert by Vienna Boys Choir, jazz violin virtuoso Regina Carter, and a tribute to Nat King Cole featuring Ramsey Lewis and John Pizzarelli. Tickets for the Darlene Love concert are $40 and can be purchased at BrooklynCenter.org or by calling the Brooklyn Center box office at 718-951-4500.

"Rise 'n Shine with Bette & Juliette" (http://www.betteandjuliette.com/) next stage episode marks the twosome's 1 year anniversary of the show!  In celebration Bette & Juliette will look back at some of the wonderful things that happened this past season with clips, guests and memories!

They sold over 75 million records, nine of them gold. They had more Top Ten hits than the Beatles or Elvis. Until the advent of The Supremes, The Andrews Sisters - Patty, Maxene, and Laverne - were the most imitated of all female singing groups; they are still one of the best-selling female vocal groups of all time.  Sisters of Swing, which will run from June 5th through July 12th at the Stage Door Theatre, details the fascinating journey of these three sisters from their early days in vaudeville through their success in 'the big time'. 

Hollywood Fringe presents the world premiere of STANDUPERA, a comedic night of theatre incorporating stand-up, story, cabaret, and opera. Starring Erin Carere and directed by Nell Teare, the serious comedy will open tonight June 5th at Actors Company - Other Space Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.

?Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, described by Rolling Stone as a music "hero," makes his Auditorium Theatre debut with The City Lights Orchestra, conducted by Rich Daniels, Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m., concluding the Auditorium's inaugural "Made in Chicago" performance series.

On Friday, June 12 from 7 to 10 p.m., The Jost Project will perform at Chris' Jazz Cafe and salute a legend in Philadelphia - Composer Evan Solot. As Solot ends his final semester at the University of the Arts, where he taught for nearly 50 years, The Jost Project will perform their highly respected jazz renditions of classic rock and invite special guests to the stage who were all influenced by the great Evan Solot.

As the star embarks TONIGHT on a new world tour, we'll celebrating Idina Menzel's birthday with a look back into the BWW Photo Archvies!

Multi-talented actress and singer Jenifer Lewis returns to The 5th Avenue Theatre to headline the festivities at Cirque du 5th, the company's 12th Annual A Night at the 5th Gala, set for tonight, May 29th. Ms. Lewis was last seen at The 5th in 2009 in the starring role of Dolly Levi in the popular production of Hello, Dolly!, directed and choreographed by 5th Avenue Executive Producer and Artistic Director, David Armstrong.

They sold over 75 million records, nine of them gold. They had more Top Ten hits than the Beatles or Elvis. Until the advent of The Supremes, The Andrews Sisters - Patty, Maxene, and Laverne - were the most imitated of all female singing groups; they are still one of the best-selling female vocal groups of all time.  Sisters of Swing, which will run from June 5th through July 12th at the Stage Door Theatre, details the fascinating journey of these three sisters from their early days in vaudeville through their success in 'the big time'. 

'Rise 'n Shine with Bette & Juliette' (http://www.betteandjuliette.com/) toasts The Grand Dames of The Great White Way! The May 26th episode is a salute to the The First Ladies of The American Theatre: The Broads of Broadway! Dedicated to the Divas, the Ladies Who Lunch, and the Broadway Babies who prove There's No Business Like Show Business! Live musical performances, on-stage reunions, and celebrity interviews are just a few examples of what your favorite 'morning' show hosts have in store for you. So hold your hats and Hallelujah! These mamas are gonna show it to ya!

Feinstein's at the Nikko will welcome Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress, Melissa Manchester, for two performances only - Friday, July 10 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, July 11 (7 p.m.). Manchester will perform songs off her acclaimed new album, 'You Gotta Love the Life,' as well as some of her greatest hits.

Bette Midler in a movie musical classic comes to Blu-ray at long last!