Bea Arthur...among friends in LV mini review (8.27.05)

[TonyBWay]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 12:54pm

Bea Arthur performed her one-woman show at the Tropicana in Las Vegas last night. There are not too many performers with whom I would want to share that kind of one-on-one connection with, but Bea would have to be one of them.

Raw, bawdy, uninhibited, and humorous are just a few words that can describe this modge-podge of a musical revue. Her comic timing was spot on and never missed a beat. Although she has performing her show for several years now, she makes it seem as if it were for the first time. It could easily have been an auto-pilotesque performance, but wasn't.

Her stories of Pia Zadora, Jerome Robbins, Latta Lenya and others were well told and made no bones about saying what she felt. How hateful Jerome Robbins was and what a snooze fest it was to watch Ms. Zadora perform on stage. Even telling a comedic anecdote for when Pia was performing in the "Diary of Anne Frank" and that audience would have liked to cry out "...she's in the attic." I'd only wished she would told stories of her time in television, instead of briskly passing by it.

Although not as flaymboyant and unleashed as one, Elaine Stritch, Bea lands a punch. Musically the show was simple. The repetoire suited for her speak-sing style, although there were a few numbers were she sang with much more gusto.

If this one-woman show comes through your town, please take the opportunity to this legend in concert, you won't regret it.

I had the pleasure of meeting Bea after the performance and I could not say enough about her. She is an incredibly sincere and humble human being. Thanking everyone for coming out to see her show. She seemed quite moved by everyone's support and love her. A class act she is.
Updated On: 8/28/05 at 12:54 PM

[JustABernieFan]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 1:09pm

I missed her show when it came to broadway last year
Anyone know if it'll come out on dvd?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 1:25pm

"anecdote," not "antedote."

Bea is an immensely talented performer and a lovely, lovely person. I'm glad to hear she's still doing this show - it's a rare gem, just like its performer.

Updated On: 8/28/05 at 01:25 PM

[TonyBWay]

Posted: 8/28/05 at 7:34pm

Yes, I believe the DVD will be available soon according to BeaArthur.com

Posted: 8/28/05 at 7:49pm

Does she tell the joke about the man who invites his mother to have dinner with him and his lover?

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 12:17am

The one about the gravy boat?

Posted: 8/29/05 at 12:18am

Kringas! Yes. The gravy boat. One of the best stories, ever.

[Kringas]

Posted: 8/29/05 at 12:27am

It was a cute little story. I loved seeing her live.