FUMBLE OVER ‘POP’ WARNER
numbered.”
At Sunday’s Tonys rehearsals, which Midler didn’t attend, there was chatter that having Midler lip-sync a song from the show had been considered at some level. After all, she would have already done three shows in 36 hours. “It was something that was being discussed, but the Tonys people said no because they’re all about live theater and that’s what they stand for,” said one gossip with loose ties to theater’s biggest night.
Sources close to Midler and “Hello, Dolly!” tell us if those discussions ever happened at any level, that’s news to them. “She performs every night on Broadway - why would she lip-sync?” we were asked.
Once the show started, it became clear Midler was not on voice rest.
“Shut that crap off!” she snapped at the orchestra when they tried to play her off after accepting the Tony. Sure enough, Midler finished her four-minute speech to a roaring ovation.
She’ll host her annual Spring Picnic benefiting the New York Restoration Project at Sherman Creek Park in Inwood on Monday. On Wednesday, we broke the news that “The Cosby Show” star (inset) had become a dad. Warner’s publicist was all but useless when we were reporting that story, but seemed to verify its content after the fact by complaining that she was “disappointed” we didn’t let her and her client announce the news on their own terms. Yeah, that’s how reporting works. Our best to “Theo Huxtable” and his significant other as they venture into parenthood. Our insiders say he’ll be a great dad.