I saw Carly perform this act at The Triad last October. It cleverly intertwines Miss M's songbook with autobiographical tales, the heartbreaking, uplifting and the completely inspiring.
The Divine Miss O -- who brought this show to town for LGBT Pride week and a day before Bette herself performs at Madison Square Garden -- was certainly in fine fettle last night with a powerhouse voice that sometimes felt like a refreshing summer storm had been unleashed. The crowed adored her and expressed as much with thunderous applause.
"Midler on the Roof" was directed by Kristine Zbornik and musically directed by Steven Ray Watkins (on piano). Tim Lykins was on drums and Daniel Fabricatore on bass. Back-up vocals were supplied by Karen Mack and Jennifer Haber. Kudos to all for outstanding work.
Ms Ozard is not a Bette Midler impersonator but a powerful interpreter of her idol's songs. Those songs included Midler favorites like "Delta Dawn," "The Rose" and "Shiver Me Timbers." The "Hello in There/Wind Beneath My Wings" medley was extremely moving. Disco Bette Carly-style rocked the house with "Knight in Black Leather" "I'm Beautiful, Dammit!" and "Married Men." "I Put a Spell on You" (from the film Hocus Pocus) also excited the crowd with its ferociously upbeat energy.
Carly closed with "Friends" and belted "Rose's Turn" out of the park, so to speak, for an encore.
A delightful and, really, flawless performance right down to the technical aspects of light and sound. Thank you, Richard Skipper, for inviting my friend, Nick Lion, and I to the event. And thanks to the staff at the Metropolitan Room for providing first-rate, attentive service.
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