Kevin WinklerEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

In this episode, Kevin Winkler discusses On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide . The book traces the rise of the Divine Miss M from the Continental Baths to mainstream stardom, exploring her impact on gay, Jewish, and feminist culture, as well as her influence across stage, film, music, and activism. Moderator Charles Kirsch, the young host of Backstage Babble , guides the conversation, offering insider insights into Midler’s enduring legacy and the evolution of her bold, iconic persona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch/Listen to this and all episodes ad free by joining the ITBR Patreon and get a free trial for the ITBR Professor level! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Just in time for Halloween, I am joined with author Kevin Winkler who has all of the Bette Midler insight, including her filming of "Hocus Pocus." Kevin provides the origin story for his Bette enthusiasm and how he came to write "On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide" (published this year). At a young age, he connected with Bette's unconventional persona and how it resonated with him as a shy, young gay man. Kevin describes how Bette built a following performing in underground venues like the Continental Baths before breaking through to mainstream success on TV, in film, and as a concert performer. He discusses how she was able to maintain her authentic persona and appeal to broader audiences. Kevin highlights Bette's philanthropic work, including founding the New York Restoration Project to revitalize green spaces in the city. He also notes her willingness to be politically outspoken and use her platform for social causes. Kevin and I discuss trends in Broadway, including the continued appeal of star-driven vehicles and the challenge for more ensemble-focused shows to gain traction. They also reflect on the legacies of choreographers like Bob Fosse in shaping the Broadway landscape. In closing, Kevin shares how writing the book on Bette has inspired him to emulate her fearlessness, activism, and commitment to taking initiative, rather than waiting for others to act. Get your hands on his book here: ⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197189663-on-bette-midler⁠ You can follow Kevin for all of his theater and film insight on Facebook, ⁠ @kevin.winkler.3517⁠ Follow ITBR on IG, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Sponsors: To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠glreview.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠. Click Subscribe, and enter promo code ITBR50 to receive 50% off any print or digital subscription. Follow them on IG, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theglreview⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠broadviewpress.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ order. Follow them on IG, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@broadviewpress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Follow That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema on IG, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thatolgayclassiccinema⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen here: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-ol-gay-classic-ci

In this episode, I interview Kevin Winkler, the author of On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide . Kevin chronicles her career from the New York City Continental Baths through her recording, stage and movie careers.

Bette Midler today is a beloved legacy star, best known for her comic witch in Disney's Hocus Pocus (1993) and its 2022 sequel. She has also gained prominence for sentimental, anthemic ballads like "Wind Beneath My Wings," her initiation of green space projects in New York City, and tussling with Donald Trump on Twitter. Her profile is that of an articulate, civic-minded matriarch enjoying thoroughly mainstream stardom. But more than fifty years earlier she emerged from the steam of the subterranean Continental Baths as the Divine Miss M, the bawdy, campy, fearless alter ego she created in front of an audience of towel-clad gay men who came to the baths seeking not just sex, but a sense of community and safety from an often-harrowing outside world. "I was able to take chances on that stage that I could not have taken anywhere else," she later wrote. "Ironically, I was freed from fear by people who, at the time, were ruled by fear. And for that I will always be grateful." Overnight, Bette Midler became a much-loved icon of the gay community.

Author, Editor, Librarian, and former performer Kevin Winkler is here to talk about his brand new book, "On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide." U Guys, this week's BroadwayWorld Recap has all the latest Bway news, including some very exciting new shows coming to Broadway! Then I am joined by author, editor, librarian and former performer, Kevin Winkler, to talk all about his extensive career as an author and literary historian. He shares about his love for Bette Midler, and what led him to publish his third biographical book, " On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide. " We chat about his other works, which include biographies on Tommy Tune and Bob Fosse, as well as his work as a former performer in shows like the National Tour of CATS . Kevin is truly a Broadway expert, U don't wanna miss this episode! Order, " On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide ," today! Follow the pod on Instagram: @ohmypoduguys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Winkler shared a story about transitions. His perspective is that when we are going through transitions in life, we don’t really see them as a transition — and after time passes, we have more clarity. His transitions from childhood in rural Oklahoma to living in San Diego, and through three careers — from a dancer, to a career in library science with the New York Public Library, and in his current career as an author of several books related to the performing arts, have all been connected by his passions and evolving interests. What transitions have you experienced, and what did you learn about it later? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Interview with author Kevin Winkler on his new book, Everything is Choreography: The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune.