Bette Midler Orders 2017 Tony Awards Orchestra To ‘Shut Off’ Music During Speech

Broadway has found a new fierce queen in Bette Midler. The “Hocus Pocus” star surprised the audience during the recently concluded 2017 Tony Awards when she suddenly went off script during her acceptance speech.

On Sunday, June 11, Midler received the best actress in a musical award for her performance in “Hello, Dolly!” during the 71st Annual Tony Awards, which was held in New York City. The competition was fierce in the category, where the nominees included Patti LuPone for “War Paint,” Denée Benton for “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” Christine Ebersole for “War Paint” and Eva Noblezada for “Miss Saigon.”

Upon receiving the award, Midler started off her speech by expressing how happy she was to get the recognition. “I’m so privileged, I’m so honored,” said Midler in her acceptance speech, as quoted by People. “I hope I don’t cry. Thank you to the Tony voters, many of whom I’ve actually dated…I’m so grateful for the outpouring of love and affection — I can’t remember the last time I had so much smoke blown up my [butt], but there’s no more room.”

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Midler gave a hilarious speech that went on for quite some time, so the orchestra started the play-off music to remind her to wrap it up, Billboard reported. However, she was not done yet, so she ordered the orchestra to stop playing.

“Shut that crap off!” said Midler, before praising the musical “Hello, Dolly!” The musical follows the story of a middle aged widow named Dolly who decides to start a new life. It won four awards during the ceremony, including best revival of a musical.

“This play has the ability to lift your spirits in these terrible, terrible times,” she said.

Meanwhile, Midler won a special Tony Award back in 1974. However, this is her first for the acting category. She made her debut on Broadway in “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1966. Her last Broadway stint was in 2013 in the musical “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers.”

Aside from giving an unforgettable acceptance speech, Midler also graced the event with her daughter, Sophie Von Haselberg, according to Daily Mail. Midler donned a slinky silver patterned dress that featured small train and ball sleeves. Meanwhile, Von Haselberg wore a black dress with square patterns on the bottom. The pair was also seen together at the Met Gala in New York last month.

What do you think of Midler shutting off the orchestra to finish her lengthy acceptance speech during the 2017 Tony Awards? Drop a comment below.