For those of you that have been wandering around with a feathered boa wrapped around your head since February 2008 and haven't heard, The People's Diva, Divine Miss M, has taken over Las Vegas, Nevada.

What does this mean for all of us Divine fans? Well, 200 shows, 200 nights to fully and truly "Experience the Divine." And if you're only seeing this now, that means you're almost out of time, the run is more than half over. HURRY UP, get your tucas on a plane, for as the show says, the Showgirl MUST go on, but she's not going to be there forever.

The show is called "The Showgirl Must Go On" and she does.

This show has it all, sequins, feathers, skin, showgirls (the amazing Caesar Salad Girls), our favorite Divine Trio the Harlettes (Kamilah Marshall, Jordan Ballard and Kyra DeCosta), mermaids, wheelchairs, poi balls, and of course the one and only "People's Diva", the Divine Miss M herself.

The stage itself is amazing, and really the first thing that caught my eye was the enormity of it. It's HUGE with an enormous video screen behind it. Mind you don't be concerned, it's part of the show, you do not need it to see the show as you would in an arena. For the 6 nights I've been on the two trips to Vegas, I've sat in 5 different sections, which really allowed me to see things I hadn't noticed before. And I'm really glad one night we sat in the first balcony, because it allows us to see the whole stage and see everything that goes on. The beauty of the gold curtains really hits you as you notice they change to match the mood, and at one point, they are beautiful trees in a Divine forest, gold as only they could be.

The first people you see is the ShowGirl Orchestra (the Fat City Horns and of course Ms Shayna Steele on vocals), they enter the stage and take their places, led by none other than the talented Ms Bette Sussman. Once they get settled, the video starts and takes you on the first leg of your journey of a night you will remember. From the moment the music signaled the start of the opening on the video screen, I was hooked. I don't want to spoil it, but the video is filled with Vegas sights and cliches leading up slowly to the moment we have all been anticipating.

There's a loud explosion, that familiar music starts, the stage changes, the Harlettes make their entrance, and then the moment we've all been waiting for. The spotlight comes on and there she is, sparkling and smiling, pausing for a moment before launching into "The ShowGirl Must Go On." And she's off, leading us around by our hearts and our funny bones for the next hour and a half.

One minute she's singing "the Rose", having us all wave our cell phones around in the air, and singing along, then she's off in one of her famous comedy breaks, discussing politics, current events, and going on the odd foray into the past. The audience is laughing right along with her, with the occasional shocked expression from a "Divine Virgin" who has never seen Ms M in anything but Beaches and has no idea that she talks. Her comedic timing, matched with her facial expressions and body language is exactly why she is so good at what she does.

When Delores and the Delago sisters make their appearance, it is a skit truly meant for Vegas, it's perfect with a few surprise appearances by Vegas royalty. Everything we love included. There's music, drama and laughter as we watch poor Delores once again dream of being something bigger and finding disappointment, only to pull herself back up by her fins and come out on top. The segment of course includes death defying feats of wheelchair acrobatics, fancy fin work, and most important-- BALLS! Though how they all manage to get through that number without just flopping over on the stage is beyond me, it's go go go go from the moment Delores flips her tail to the final curtain call.

Next Ms M shows us why we love her the most, "Hello in There" brings us to tears, and for those of us that weren't already a little emotional, she then sings "When a Man Loves a Woman". Ms M nails it in a way only she can. It's such a moving experience to watch her sing this number. She's been singing since the movie the Rose and still manages to make it fresh, powerful and amazing after all these years. She gets so into that song, that by the end there were many of us wiping a few tears away as we joined the entire audience jumping to our feet for a well deserved ovation. The final line to that song, is so powerful, so strong, so clear it blew me away and I didn't realize till that note faded out that I was holding my breath. Each and every time I've seen it, she gave the same 200% into that song, absolutely amazing!

What could possibly follow that number, but a visit from our girl Soph. And I think for me the most touching moment is at the end of the Soph number. Soph has already told us her jokes, the Harlettes and Caesar Salad Girls have left the stage, and there she is. Though she's in full Soph showgirl costume, Ms M steps out of character, and tells us how they met and why they met, and sings us a song. It's really a touching moment and you can tell Ms M truly feels love for ol' Soph and her dirty jokes. Sad as it is to type this, is like it's a farewell to Soph, the "oldest living showgirl in the world". Though after so many years I can't imagine a show without the familiar "I will Nevah Forget it you know...."

The final two numbers take us through a full production of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and of course, what show would be complete without a heartfelt performance of "the Wind Beneath My Wings".

I'm telling you, if you are in Vegas, or can make it to Vegas, you cannot miss this show. For those of us that have been fans for years, this show really is great. The only downside, it's not long enough! But Ms M manages to cram so much into the time there is, you don't leave feeling you've missed anything, instead it leaves you wanting to come back, in some cases many times.

I think for me if I had to say what I would love to see in the show, it would be to see "Stay with Me" in such a great theatre, and for Soph to toss out my favorite joke "Ain't Ya Gotta Vase?" Having seen the show 3 nights in a row on each visit, I could tell that the show isn't static. They are constantly rewriting lines and jokes, the show is not exactly the same every night. There are moments where she will turn to the audience, and express her thanks for years of support from her fans and it's genuine. The words are different, not word for word the night before, but the one thing that isn't different is that smile that only Ms M can share. When the audience is on their feet, throwing back energy and appreciation for the show, she just lights up. You can't help but smile.

The final night of my second trip I was lucky enough to get a front row seat. And at the end of the final number, Ms M went around the stage and shook hands with those of us lucky enough to be up front. It was a great moment for all of us. I also bumped into the very talented quartet of Bette Sussman, Shayna Steele, Kamilah Marshall and Jordan Ballard after a show one night and got to chat with them for a few minutes. Truly the icing on the cake to a great trip.

Besides the show itself, I think the greatest part, is being in a room with so many other fans. I had arranged these trips to meet up with Bette heads from all over North America the two weekends I was there. These are people I've talked to online for years and most I've met up with at other concerts, filmings, and parties. And while it's nice taking a friend, a mom, or another family member with you to experience it, there is nothing quite like sitting with another long time fan or two.

I'm heading back again this fall, and can't wait to see the show again. I was lucky enough to purchase one of the Smug Mutha VIP packages for one of the nights we're going. Should be an experience to remember!

Bottom line, the show is Divine! Go and experience it if you can at least once if you can. I thought every night was truly amazing, and "I will never forget it."

LINKS
The Official Facebook Page for "The Show Girl Must Go On"
Bette Midler.COM


Some Tips and Facts about the show you might not know:
-Former Harlette, the talented Carol Hatchett is one of the Caesar Salad Girls (from ETD, DLV and DMM)

-For anyone buying tickets outside of the US, ticket master has imposed an extra tax, so just beware when you're budgeting for your tickets

-Make sure if you can, to use the Will Call window for your tickets, you will want those original ticket stubs to remember your evening

-You can't take cameras into the theatre, BUT, that doesn't mean you have to leave them in your hotel room and miss out on a photo opportunity. They have a camera check as you go in the doors to the theatre. The people at the box office are amazing. For all the cameras they checked, it takes no time at all after the show for all the cameras to be handed back.. Very well organized.

-When you're seated, look under the first balcony, there's a video screen, and another on Bette Sussman's piano, this is how the two of them communicate during the show


Buying Divine Merchandise
- You cannot take glass into the theatre, so if you go to the store before the show, don't buy a mug and intend to take it with you.

- The merchandise available inside the show is different than the items in the store, you might want to check out the store before the show, and then make your choice in the theatre. You can always go back to the store to buy things after. There are different styles of T-shirt and mugs for sale inside the theatre that you can't get in the store (or you can just do what I did and buy both)

-The mugs for sale in the theater you have to buy after the show on your way out.

-When you go to get a beverage at the bar inside the theater, remember to ask for the SGMGO cup so you can keep it.