There was almost as much drama in the audience as onstage at Tuesday night’s delayed opening of “Manilow on Broadway.” But music mogul Clive Davis saved the day and rescued one rabid “Fanilow” from being ejected by an incensed theater critic.
Spies say a culture clash at the St. James Theatre was evident as soon as Barry Manilow took the stage, when the audience was divided between hundreds of die-hard fans and a more traditional theater crowd.
“There were middle-aged women going absolutely nuts,” said a spy. “They stood and sang along for most of the songs.”
But when one rather large and overexcited female fan stood and sang for most of the show, Peter Filichia, theater critic emeritus of the Newark Star-Ledger, “was appalled and started berating the woman,” a spy said. Another added, “Peter pitched a fit! I guess the critics were out of step with the ‘Fanilows.’ ”
When the woman wouldn’t relent, “Peter tapped her and asked her to stop, and then he called an usher and demanded she be ejected,” said a spy. The house manager also arrived to ask the Manilow-mad fan to leave, a request that “reduced her to tears.”
But fortunately Davis, who gave Manilow his very first recording contract, was sitting directly in front of the woman. “People in Clive’s entourage saw what was going on and offered to switch seats with her so she could stand up and sing in front of them.”
Davis and Manilow later hit the Copacabana on West 47th Street to celebrate. Also spotted at the show were Carson Kressley, “Copacabana” writer Bruce Sussman and Rosanna Scotto.
Notably missing was Bette Midler, who’s opening a show on the same block, at the Booth in April, and who was backed in the ’70s on piano by then-unknown Manilow for her wild live shows. “It’s a crazy coincidence they’re both on Broadway,” said a theater maven. “One would think Bette and Barry would even do a duet.” Midler’s rep said she was rehearsing. Manilow had previously postponed his opening because of bronchitis.