The Huffington Post
Edie Falco — Her Defining Roles Do Not Define Her — Real, Rare Gems — Angela Cummings — Tom Hanks — Bette Midler
By Liz Smith
Posted: 04/16/2013 10:49 am
”¢ I am being flooded by people coming up to me or calling me saying they have already seen a preview of the one-woman show Bette Midler is doing titled “I’ll Eat You Last.” This is not the divine Ms. Midler doing her usual thing but doing a glimpse into the life of the late Hollywood agent Sue Mengers. I wondered if the great theater public would even know who Sue was these days? But evidently it doesn’t matter who Sue Mengers is/was. It only matters that one of New York’s First Citizens, the one and only Bette Midler,cares to assay some of Sue’s saucy wit and life.
So I am set to see this playlet on April 24 — opening night at the Booth Theater. I bow to no one in admiration for Bette in real and show biz life and for Sue who was a product only Hollywood could have created. (Sue was supremely comic about all who surrounded her and one of her chief talents was to always make you feel like you were a lovable idiot!) So many nice people asked me if they could go with me to see this play that I threw open the invitation and ended up having nine in my opening night party.
Never mind — we nine are going to throw caution to the winds, grab our seats, enjoy ourselves and then go to chow down at the wonderful Barbetta, NYC’s oldest family-owned restaurant, on West 46th street. And that’s on Restaurant Row if you’ve been under a rock.
I guess when Bette gets to La-La Land with this show, a place that seldom made use of her ultra movie acting talents, there’ll be general merriment and dancing on the thruways! And as multi-billionaire David Geffen was Bette’s best friend and Sue’s best friend, they will mount a Statue of Liberty that looks like Bette and Sue out in the Pacific Ocean!
Hollywood has changed a lot since the days when Sue Mengers was queen behind the scenes. But there’ll always be room for the story of dramatic saucy naughty not-always-so nice characters who run everything, especially when they are magical females!
Liz hints that Bette may be going to Los Angeles with this show…..too early to tell, or a reality?? If so, I would wait, as that’s within driving distance for me.
It’s nice to read the advance notices are very positive….especially this one by Liz Smith. It makes me want to know more about Sue Mengers, with Bette, of course, brilliantly cast!
I voted, Mr. D…….Bette deserves to win in all 3 categories. Let’s hope Broadway gives her the respect she deserves!!
I caught that too….but I’m not sure. I’ll write and ask about it….xx
No she’s not playing L.A. xx
Thanks for the info/update, Mr.D…..as always, you’re the best!! xox