Two time-Academy Award nominee and Tony Award winner Better Midler will perform at the Oscar ceremonies on Feb. 24, 2019. According to Variety, The Academy teased on Jan. 31 that the famous Mary Poppins song “The Place Where Lost Things Go” was to be performed by a surprise special guest.
Midler, a longtime friend of composer-lyricist Marc Shairman, will sing the song originally performed by Emily Blunt in “Mary Poppins Returns.” The song, by Shaiman and his lyricist partner Scott Wittman, is one of five nominees for best original song. Shairman is expected to accompany Midler on piano.
Since 1970, when Bette Midler came into prominence has released 14 studio albums as a solo artist. She made her motion picture debut in 1979 with The Rosee, which earned her a Golden Globe, for Best Actress, as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has since starred in a number of hit films, which include: Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Ruthless People (1986), Outrageous Fortune, (1987), Big Business (1988), Beaches, (1988), Hocus Pocus (1993) and The First Wives Club (1996) among many more.
In a career spanning almost half a century, Midler has won three Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and two Tony Awards.
During the 2014 Oscarcast, she sang “Wind Beneath My Wings” — the song that Shaiman suggested Midler sing in the film “Beaches,” and which has now become a signature Midler song. He worked as her musical director for many years.
Shaiman is also an Oscar veteran. In addition to having performed on the broadcast, he has twice been musical director for the show and won a 1992 Emmy for supplying host Billy Crystal’s musical medley.
The 91st Oscarss will be held on Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and will be televised live on ABC at 8 p.m.
Source: Variety.com