Midler decides her show must go on elsewhere

Bette Midler will wrap her Las Vegas showcase, "The Showgirl Must Go On," on Jan. 31, fulfilling a two-year contract.

"These legs have had such a great run in the desert -- it may be time to haul them to places with more humidity and fewer slot machines," Midler said in a statement released Thursday.

The entertainer returns to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Saturday through Nov. 15, then for a final batch of shows Dec. 30 to Jan. 31.

No decisions have been made for a replacement, said Kris Lingle, spokeswoman for AEG Live, which operates the Colosseum. Cher will continue as the anchor act for the 4,200-seat venue, with dates throughout 2010. Comic ventriloquist Jeff Dunham also will have recurring engagements.

As for speculation that Celine Dion might be ready to reclaim the stage next year, Lingle cited AEG Live President John Meglen's past statement that "the door is always open when she's ready," but there is nothing to announce.

Midler opened Feb. 20, 2008, with top ticket prices at $250 in keeping with Dion's "A New Day." In early shows, Midler joked about the growing financial crisis, saying she got the Colosseum "for an adjustable rate mortgage with no money down."

She posted strong numbers in early shows, with trade publication Pollstar reporting a $3.1 million gross for a March 2008 run of five shows with four sellouts.

As the economy continued to erode, producer AEG Live began to offer various promotions and seating upgrades while trying to preserve the face-value ticket prices. Most of Midler's dates this year have been discounted in some fashion.

Midler celebrated 100 shows in June and will be closer to the 180 mark by the time she wraps her engagement, Lingle said.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.