Bette Midler to 1969, she played the role of Tzeitel in "Fiddler on the Roof" on Broadway. After "Fiddler", she joined the original cast of "Salvation" in 1969. She began singing in the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in the Ansonia Hotel, in the summer of 1970. During this time, she became close to her piano accompanist, Barry Manilow, who produced her first album in 1972, "The Divine Miss M." It was during her time at the Continental Baths that she built up a core following. In the late 1990s, during the release of her album "Bathhouse Betty", Midler commented on her
Divine Madness (film) the Pack", and "The Rose". Richie filmed four of Midler's concerts on the tour, and cut them together to look like one. "Divine Madness" was released in 1980 to relative critical success. The tracks "Shiver Me Timbers" and "Rainbow Sleeve" were edited out of the home video version. "Divine Madness" has been re-released on DVD, but, as yet, only in the US. "For further info see Divine Madness (Bette Midler album)" Divine Madness (film) Divine Madness is a 1980 American concert film directed by Michael Ritchie, and featuring Bette Midler and the Harlettes during her 1979 concerts at Pasadena Civic