''Diva Las Vegas'' was a show at the

MGM Grand Garden Arena The MGM Grand Garden Arena (originally known as the MGM Grand Garden Special Events Center) is a 17,000-seat multi-purpose arena located within the MGM Grand Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip. Sporting events From its opening on December 18, 1993 ...

Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

starring Bette Midler performing as singer and comedian. The one-time performance was filmed for television; HBO released it as a TV special originally broadcast on January 18, 1997 and repeated on February 2, 1997. Midler won the 1997

Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program was an annual award given to performers in a variety/music series or specials. The award has been retired; it was last presented in 2008. Winners and n ...

for the special. Among the songs performed were '' The Rose'', ''

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" is a World War II jump blues song written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince which was introduced by The Andrews Sisters in the Abbott and Costello comedy film, '' Buck Privates'' (1941). The Andrews Sisters' Decca recording r ...

'', ''

From A Distance "From a Distance" is a song written in 1985 by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold. Gold was working as a secretary at the time for HBO and writing songs in her free time. Gold's friend, Christine Lavin, introduced the song to Nanci Griffith, ...

'', ''Friends'', ''

Wind Beneath My Wings "Wind Beneath My Wings" (sometimes titled "The Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Hero") is a song written in 1982 by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley. The song was first recorded by Kamahl in 1982 for a country and western album he was recording. Kamahl ta ...

'', ''Stay With Me'' and ''Do You Want To Dance?''.Amazon.co.uk: Bette Midler - Diva Las Vegas [1997]: Bette Midler, Bobby Lyle, Buzz Feiten, Danny Jacob, Reggie Hamilton, Larry Cohn, Rayford Griffin, Lenny Castro, Lynn Ma...
/ref> Bette's daughter Sophie von Haselberg appeared for a short time during the song "Ukulele Lady". She sat with the rest of the cast and musicians on stage playing a ukulele and singing the words.

Cast and Personnel

Cast

* Bette Midler – Herself, Headliner, Vocalist

Dancers

*Michelle Foreman *Wendy Pasquale *Karen Russell *Natalie Webb

Musicians

*Bobby Lyle – Piano and Keyboards *Buzz Feiten – Guitar *Danny Jacob – Guitar *Reggie Hamilton – Bass *Larry Cohn – Keyboards *Rayford Griffin – Drums *Lenny Castro – Percussion * Lynn Mabry – Vocals *Carol Hatchett – Vocals *Melanie Taylor – Vocals *Rhae Ann Theriault – Vocals *

Marc Shaiman Marc Shaiman (; born October 22, 1959) is an American composer and lyricist for films, television, and theatre, best known for his collaborations with lyricist and director Scott Wittman. He wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics for the Broa ...

– Additional Music

Crew

* Marty Callner – Director/Producer *Madalyn Minch – Writer *

Bruce Vilanch Bruce Gerald Vilanch (born November 23, 1948) is an American comedy writer, songwriter and actor. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winner. Vilanch is best known to the public for his four-year stint on ''Hollywood Squares'', as a celebrity participan ...

– Writer *Lon Weyland – Writer * Bonnie Bruckheimer – Executive Producer *

Toni Basil Antonia Christina Basilotta (born September 22, 1943), better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer, choreographer, dancer, actress, and director. Her song "Mickey" topped the charts in the US, Canada and Australia and hit th ...

– Choreographer *Troy Okoniewski – Editor *Jeff U'ren – Editor *Robert De Mora – Production Design/Costume Design

Set list

The set list is according to the DVD chapter stops (28 in total). The soundtrack to this concert film has a different track listing and is much shorter in length. # "

Viva Las Vegas ''Viva Las Vegas'' is a 1964 American musical film directed by George Sidney and starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. The film is regarded by fans and film critics as one of Presley's best films, and it is noted for the on-screen chemistry be ...

" # Opening Fanfare # "Friends" # "I Look Good" # "

Miss Otis Regrets "Miss Otis Regrets" is a song about the lynching of a society woman after she murders her unfaithful lover. It was composed by Cole Porter in 1934, and first performed by Douglas Byng in ''Hi Diddle Diddle'', a revue that opened on October 3, 19 ...

" # "Las Vegas" # " Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" # "Bed of Roses" # "

The First Wives Club ''The First Wives Club'' is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Hugh Wilson, based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Olivia Goldsmith. The film stars Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton as three divorcées who seek retribution ...

" # "You Don't Own Me" # "The 70's" # " The Rose" # "Burlesque - Pretty Legs (& Great Big Knockers)" # "Burlesque - Rose's Turn" # "Las Vegas Interlude" # "Drinkin' Again/

MacArthur Park MacArthur Park (originally Westlake Park) is a park dating back to the late 19th century in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. In the early 1940s, it was renamed after General Douglas MacArthur, and later designated City of Los Angeles H ...

/Infomercial/ Call Me" # "

" # "Bigotry/ Bridge Over Troubled Waters/

In the Navy "In the Navy" is a song by American disco group Village People. It was released as the first single from their fourth studio album, '' Go West'' (1979). It was a number one hit in Canada, Flanders, Japan and the Netherlands, while reaching numbe ...

The Greatest Love of All "The Greatest Love of All" is a song written by Michael Masser, who composed the music, and Linda Creed, who wrote the lyrics. It was originally recorded in 1977 by George Benson, who made the song a substantial hit, peaking at number two on the ...

" # " New York, New York" # "Ukulele Lady" # "

From a Distance "From a Distance" is a song written in 1985 by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold. Gold was working as a secretary at the time for HBO and writing songs in her free time. Gold's friend, Christine Lavin, introduced the song to Nanci Griffith, ...

" # "Do You Wanna Dance?" # "To Comfort You" # "Stay With Me" # "

" # "Cast Introductions" # "The Glory of Love" # Closing Credits

Technical Aspects

The concert was filmed in full frame (1.33:1) and the sound was recorded in Dolby Surround. On the DVD of this concert film, there are English subtitles and an animated menu screen with scene selections, but there are no bonus materials. The concert runs for 123 minutes (2 hours and 3 minutes) in total, including credits. The DVD was not rated with an

MPAA The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is an American trade association representing the five major film studios of the United States, as well as the video streaming service Netflix. Founded in 1922 as the Motion Picture Producers and Distribu ...

rating, but some releases are rated with an "M" for mature audiences (undoubtedly due to strong language and sexual innuendos). To date, the special has not been officially released to home video in the US. A PAL VHS was issued in Europe, followed by a region 2 DVD. Most recently, a PAL DVD for regions 2-6 was included in a 2009 UK reissue of '' The Best Bette''.

Certifications

"Diva Las Vegas" at IMDb

References

{{Bette Midler Bette Midler concert tours Bette Midler video albums Concerts in the United States MGM Grand Garden Arena Television shows directed by Marty Callner