WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT SHERIE RAE

“ Sheri e Rae i s S tarpower…Singer-comedian Sherie Rae Parker draws raves from the audience for her on-spot Bette Midler characterization. She fetches big applause for her take on Janis Joplin and loads of laughs for her Phyllis Diller impression too.”

Hillary Green Showbiz Weekly

“Her Bette Midler vocal impersonations are not only convincing, but it is a delight to hear her varied range of songs including ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ to ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ as she was dancing and singing up a storm across the stage.” Marcia Steiner “WHOOT”

Again, not that you've heard it many times before, you are a true entertainer and the experience you have under your belt shines brighter than anyone else in that show. You make the lyrics come to life in your ballads, and that is true artistry, far from just being a "lookalike . " One of very few great talents in "our" business . Dan Gore , ICON Producer

New York Times …Sat, 12/01/07: A Tribute to Bette Midler, Starring Sherie Rae Parker… Sherie Rae Parker receives rave reviews when she portrays Bette Midler to audiences around the world. S he presents a remarkable impersonation of the dynamic Bette. The audience is in for a true treat. Opening for Parker is sensational Cuban musician Angel Roque.

“Will the real Bette Midler please stand up?”

Cover of What’s On magazine

“Star power on stage. The audience is in for a true treat. Sherie Rae bears an uncanny resemblance to the vivacious diva and reproduces Midler’s bawdy sense of humor as well as her vocal acrobatics to perfection.” What’s On magazine

“She’s got Midler’s wiggling walk down pat … Sherie seems to possess a never ending supply of energy.” Inner View Press

“It’s immediately obvious that Rae has sass to burn and fit’s the Midler mold perfectly. Sherie Rae manages such a powerful performance as Bette Midler that she actually ends up on the floor during an emotion packed “Stay With Me Baby.” Her “Wind Beneath My Wings” will send chills up the most jaded show goer’s spine.

Not only can she imitate Midler’s voice; Rae also has the Divine Miss M.’s wacky humor down pat as well. Sherie Rae brings down the house as Bette Midler in the American Superstars revue at the Flamingo Hilton.” Fun and Gaming

“One of the outstanding performances is Sherie Rae Parker’s impressions of Bette Midler, Phyllis Diller and Janis Joplin. That gi rl has some MAJOR pipes on her.” Lynn Collier “What’s On”

The Divine Miss M…Or Is She?
Sherie Rae Parker Shines as Bette Midler in “Legends In Concert”
January 14, 2008

Bette Midler will be launching a new show at Caesars Palace in February, but if you go to see “Legends In Concert” at the Imperial Palace, you’d swear she’s appearing in that show as well. But it’s not the real Bette, it’s Sherie Rae Parker, a tremendously talented Bette Midler tribute artist.

“There’s an excitement about Bette coming to Las Vegas ,” Parker told What’s On . “If I can inspire people to go see Bette, that’s great.” Caesars Palace and Imperial Palace are both owned by Harrah’s and, as such, Parker will be appearing as Midler in “Legends In Concert” only on nights when Midler is off in order to prevent competition.

That speaks volumes about Parker’s brash and bawdy portrayal of the Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning singer and actress. Her resemblance to Midler is strong (“I’ve had a lot of help from drag queens over the years,” she said) and she has Midler’s powerful voice, wiggling walk and facial expressions down pat.

Parker, born in Detroit and raised in Southern California, began impersonating Janis Joplin in 1983 as an original member of the “Legends In Concert” cast. It never occurred to Parker to impersonate Midler until the producers suggested it in 1990. “They called and said I’d make a good Bette Midler,” she said. “I hadn’t thought about it. I think when you’re younger you want to be a star in your own right. But the more I learned about her the more I liked her, and I’m honored to be able to do her.”

Not only is Parker part of the rotating “Legends” cast—the current lineup includes Ray Charles, Tom Jones and Diana Ross and the Supremes impersonators as well as Matt Lewis as Elvis Presley, who is the only performer in the show on a consistent basis—she has traveled the world doing Midler.

Parker’s performance is a mix of singing, dancing and comedy—she tells salty jokes as Sophie Tucker, a signature character that Midler has played since her early live shows. “I will never forget it, you know,” Parker said, which is the lead-in to each Sophie joke. “I told my boyfriend, ‘My boobs are falling so far south they speak Spanish and there are more lines on my face than Disneyland.’ He said, ‘Well, there’s nothing wrong with your eyesight.’”

After singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” backed by 10 dancers in military uniforms, she said, gasping for breath, “Oh God, I’m too old for this s—t!” She gives a moving performance of “When A Man Loves A Woman” from Midler’s 1979 movie The Rose , falling to her knees while belting out the song, then laying on her back on the stage, kicking her legs into the air.

Parker said she has seen the Divine Miss M live in concert a few times and she’s looking forward to catching her show at Caesars. To her knowledge Midler has never seen her perform, but maybe that will change after the star moves to Las Vegas. “Oh my God, I would love it if she came to the show,” Parker said, laughing. “I’d absolutely love it. We’ll comp her in! I’m sure she knows about me but I respect her privacy. But I hope she comes—that would be fantastic.”

By Jen Lawson