Island City Stage Presents Premiere of BETTE AND BARRY: FROM BATHHOUSE TO BROADWAY

Yes, Bette Midler & Barry Manilow have decided to do a concert together and they're doing it at Island City Stage! Or rather, Associate Artistic Director Michael Leeds imagines what it would be like if they did in his new show "Bette and Barry: From Bathhouse to Broadway". Picture all those memorable songs like "Wind Beneath My Wings, "Copacabana" "The Rose" and "I Write The Songs" sung by Bette & Barry and backed by the legendary Harlettes. "It's A Miracle" you say. "Could It Be Magic" you ask. Bring your "Friends" and find out!

"This production had an interesting evolution", said Artistic Director Andy Rogow. "One of our board members, Rick Karlin, had suggested we recreate the actual last performance that Bette did at the Continental Baths and which is available to watch on YouTube." We even talked about doing it at a bathhouse here in Ft. Lauderdale. Unfortunately, the logistics couldn't be worked out including how to allow women to attend! So Michael Leeds came up with the idea of including Barry Manilow material and creating a fictional cabaret where the two of them perform together."

Director Leeds points out that "we didn't want to cast impersonators. Rather we wanted great singer/performers who could embody the energy, humor and charisma of these legendary stars". He got them in Silver Palm Award winners Mallory Newbro and Michael Ursua, who also serves as the production's musical director. Backing them up as the Harlettes are another Silver Palm Award winner, Sabrina Lynn Gore and newcomer Gaby Tortoledo. Rounding out the production team are choreographer Ben Solmor, scenic and lighting designer Ardean Landhuis, costume designer Emil White and sound designer David Hart.

The production begins previews on Jan. 10 and 11 with a press and Carbonell opening on Jan. 12. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 5:00pm through Feb. 10. at the Wilton Theater Factory Mainstage, home of Island City Stage, 2304 Dixie Hwy. in Wilton Manors. For tickets and information go to islandcitystage.org or call 954-519-2533.