Bette Midler and Sheryl Lee Ralph dish on aging, their R-rated movie 'Fabulous Four'

Forty years ago, Bette Midler went backstage at the original Broadway production of “Dreamgirls,” where she was introduced to Sheryl Lee Ralph.

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship for the melodious icons, who are now co-starring in wedding comedy “The Fabulous Four” (in theaters Friday).

“Look at that, full circle,” Ralph says with a grin. “And here we are: We picked up right where we left off.”

“It was fabulous,” Midler adds. “I’m a big fan.”

The R-rated romp follows a TikTok-crazed widow named Marilyn (Midler) and her best pals: the pot-growing Kitty (Ralph), flirtatious Alice (Megan Mullally), and tightly wound Lou (Susan Sarandon). Marilyn springs the news that she's getting married during an unbridled trip to Key West, Florida, where she's forced to reconcile with Lou over a long-held grievance.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Sheryl Lee Ralph says women over 50 are 'not invisible'

The film features classic bachelorette shenanigans: strip clubs, vacation romances, and copious amounts of cannabis edibles. But the movie also gets frank about female friendships, which “can be intimate and emotional, but also fiery at times,” director Jocelyn Moorhouse says.

It’s a subject matter that Midler, 78, is eminently familiar with, having starred in beloved movies such as 1988’s “Beaches” and 1996’s “The First Wives Club,” both of which center on close bonds between women.

“If I were offered ‘Hamlet’ or ‘Macbeth,’ I’d do that, too. But I’m usually offered things with other female comics,” Midler says. She feels “lucky” to tell stories about women, especially those over 50: “I look at 50-year-olds and I think they’re children, I really do. They’re not joking when they say 50 is the new 30.”

“We’re still alive and we’re not invisible,” Ralph, 67, adds. “I refuse to age. I’m going to continue to live my best life to the best of my abilities.”

'Hocus Pocus' was unavoidable on the set of 'Fabulous Four'

Midler and Ralph are delightfully chatty as they catch up on a recent Zoom, calling each other “babe” and “girlfriend” as they admire each other’s sumptuous jewelry. At one point, Ralph cuts out due to spotty cell reception at her home in Jamaica. (“She showed us her diamonds and she disappeared,” Midler quips. “You stinker! Sheryl, come back!”)

Midler adores Ralph’s performance in the 1992 comedy “Mistress,” co-starring Robert De Niro: “It was under the radar, but very, very funny,” she says. “And, of course, I love you on ‘Abbott Elementary.’ It’s my favorite network show.” The two-time Oscar nominee has lobbied for a role on Quinta Brunson’s hit ABC sitcom, for which Ralph won a best supporting actress Emmy in 2022.

“Let me tell you something: They are aware (of her interest),” Ralph says coyly. “And if it is to be, it absolutely will be.”

Ralph, meanwhile, is a huge fan of Midler’s witchy 1993 comedy “Hocus Pocus,” which has become a Halloween staple. Shooting “The Fabulous Four” in Savannah, Georgia, last fall, Moorhouse frequently had to film around "Hocus Pocus" decorations lining the streets. The cast also ran into people wearing Sanderson sisters T-shirts.

“I remember I gave you one!” Ralph recalls.

“Yes, Savannah is ‘Hocus Pocus’ territory,” Midler says. “I came out of a bar and there was a giant ‘Hocus Pocus’ banner hanging off somebody’s house – I was so shocked. It has a big hold on people’s imaginations. Isn’t that fabulous? I’m really lucky. I didn’t pay too much attention to it, because once you’re in a movie, you don’t really think about it again until you have to go see it. Then you kind of walk away." She gets asked about the film constantly, but "I don't have anything new to say.”

Those in her orbit don't seem to mind at all. “We will never get tired of the Divine Miss M telling us any story over and over again,” Ralph says, smiling. “When Bette starts to tell you a story, you are engrossed!”

“It’s bound to have a different ending every time!” Midler adds with a laugh. “I’m racking my brain like, ‘Oh, I lost the thread,’ which really happens a lot these days.”

Bette Midler mulls Broadway return after 'Hello, Dolly!'

Midler recently starred in a “Hocus Pocus” sequel on Disney+ in 2022, and in 2017, won a best actress Tony Award for her brassy yet tender turn in “Hello, Dolly!” The legendary singer would be interested in returning to Broadway in another musical by the late composer Jerry Herman.

“If I could find another score that I could sing at this point, because I haven’t sung in a couple years,” Midler says. “'Mame.’ That has a fabulous score, it’s Jerry Herman, and it’s a really, really good piece.”

“Oh, my God,” Ralph interjects. “I would never fight with Bette Midler, but ooh, I would consider it for ‘Mame!’ Yes, Bette!”

“You mean you’d go to the mat for ‘Mame’ for yourself?” Midler says. “You’d be a fabulous Mame.”