There are performers 
Audra, Julie, Bernadette, Liza, Patti, Chita, Barbra, Bette
Whose reputations precede them
“Living legends”
“Broadway Divas” 

It’s one thing to watch your heroes on the screen
Over and over again in your living room
To listen to the cast recordings and soundtracks on repeat 
But nothing beats the real life 
In the flesh
Live performance 

There’s always a little fear in seeing them
What if they’re not as good as they are on film? 
What if they just don’t got it anymore
You hear stories

When I saw Liza in 2013
Friends warned against even buying tickets
She had a reputation for not showing up 
And sure, her top notes weren’t what they once were
But she was breath-taking 

And last night
I got to see Bette
When she appeared on stage
The audience leapt to its feet 
The love in that room was overwhelming 
(Roxy: I love the audience and they love me and we just love each other...) 

Can Bette sing as high as she used to? 
Does she dance like she used to? 
Does she do it like Barbra? 
No. 

But Bette doesn’t need to be Barbra
She’s Bette 
And when you see her on that stage
You know why Bette Midler is Bette “the Divine Miss M” Midler 
She radiates warmth and energy and charisma 
She's damn funny 
And boy does she know how to work a room

The great thing about a show like Hello, Dolly 
Is that it’s written for an older woman
It doesn’t require huge belting because
Dolly uses her charm and humor and wits to navigate the world 
And you fall in love with her over and over again

The production is sumptuous and gorgeously realized
The costumes border on garish they are so bright
The color palette is like something out of a technicolor candy store
Are we in heaven or in danger of overdoing on sugar? 
Jerry Herman’s score is sublime. You can’t help but feel happy
The vocal arrangements gave me goosebumps
Those harmonies just lift your soul and make you want to dance
The gorgeous choreography 
Expertly executed by a delightful ensemble
It’s all a visual and auditory feast 
That manages to be a wholly separate experience from the movie 
It is uplifting and marvelous musical theatre
At its best

It’s not perfect 
While there were people of color in the ensemble 
I would love to have seen more diverse casting in the supporting roles 
The performers were truly terrific, but the overwhelming whiteness is frustrating

I dreamt about the show all night 
And woke up still on a high 
After a tough few weeks battling a particularly nasty bout of depression
This infusion of light has been desperately needed 

So thank you Miss Midler 
And your luminous team 
For doing what you do
And doing it so well.