Local Shows: From Disaster To Divine

It's little known outside Seattle that Bette Midler starred here in the first theatrical production of The Who's "Tommy," staged by Seattle Opera. It played for two-and-a-half weeks in April 1971 at the Moore Theatre.

Midler, who played the Acid Queen and Tommy's mother, was largely unknown at the time and her intensely physical performance (which included some near nudity) caused quite a sensation.

The experience was not a pleasant one for the star, however.

"It was a nightmare to do that show," Midler later recalled. "Who knew it would be so horrible?"

Some following appearances were not so successful, either, but she redeemed herself in her most recent shows. Here's a rundown of her Seattle-area concerts.

Sept. 23, 1973, Opera House, Seattle - Promising "I've gotten worse!" since the "Tommy" performance, she was spectacular. With Barry Manilow leading the band, she and the Harlettes sang "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Leader of the Pack" and "Chapel of Love." "What we do, honey, is gar-BAHGE," she said. "We do heavy, heavy guttersnipe songs." The capacity crowd loved "Friends," "Delta Dawn" and "In the Mood."

Sept. 13, 1978, Paramount Theatre, Seattle - As documented by a whole, hilarious chapter in her book, "A View From A Broad," this opening night of a national tour was a disaster. A combination of events - including one of the chorus boys sewing his shoes onto a shower curtain (too complicated a tale to go into here) - made the show start 90 minutes late, with the audience forced to wait outside. Her new band was shaky. A broken light buzzed loudly all through the concert, ruining the slower numbers. "Art imitates life," she said, "or in this case, death." She introduced Delores Delago for the first time, which was a highlight, as were some of the many songs she sang. She apologized at the end. "I've been a bad girl," she said. "I didn't do my homework. I'll tell you the truth: I'm very tired. I didn't deserve what you gave me tonight (a standing ovation). And I know it. I thank you for being so kind."

Dec. 10 and 11, 1982, Paramount - Starting another tour here, Midler told jokes about Liberace, Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda, reprised some of Sophie Tucker's most famous howlers, imitated vegetables, sang "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Friends" and "Beast of Burden," and brought back Delores Delago. A triumphant show.

Aug. 25, 1994, Tacoma Dome - Appearing locally for the first time in more than a decade, she was outrageous and funny - dancing, singing, joking and flirting for two-and-a-half hours. The burlesque number was a highlight. Another great show.

Dec. 12 and 13, 1996, Paramount - The best shows she ever did here, with a performance honed to perfection. Highlighted by a raunchy burlesque number, the show had lots of laughs, some tender moments (the songs "From A Distance" and "You Are the Wind Beneath My Wings") and lots of great music. She praised the theater as one of the finest she had ever played.

- Patrick MacDonald