Anyone see Bette Midler's first show?- Page 5

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/10/13 at 7:35pm

To the person who claims every performance has been sold out so far, I call bull****. It pops up on my TKTS app as being on the board at a discount almost every single day.

[logan2]

Posted: 4/10/13 at 10:00pm

Here's a great article on Bette returning to Broadway to play Mengers.

It's noted that Barbra Streisand declined to comment for the article.

http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/theater/bette-midler-back-on-broadway-in-ill-eat-you-last.html?_r=0

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/10/13 at 10:20pm

We'll know things are dire when Elaine Joyce shows up with a note.

[logan2]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:03am

That's funny. I've heard that story, but forget who Elaine gave the note to. But didn't it result in the lead actress quitting?

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:31am

Does Bette Midler Stage door?

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:35am

Was there Wednesday night, looked pretty darn full and she called "line" four times. She kind of verbally chastised herself a couple of those times, since the actual lines only consisted of two or three really simple words. She also tripped over a few words but overall I thought she did fine.

I liked it but it is a very slight show. Since it's set in 1981, I would think anyone under 35, unless they're a pop culture know-it-all, would miss all the references.

Got a single rush ticket as late as 11:30 am...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:35am

Darrey, she'd have to get off the couch.

Logan, the note was for the beloved Mary Tyler Moore.

Updated On: 4/11/13 at 12:35 AM

[logan2]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:42am

Thank you, Namo. It's all coming back to me now.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1448762/Mary-Tyler-Moore-storms-out-of-new-Broadway-comedy.html


What if everyone who attends the show carried that note in their pocket in case they were the one asked up on the stage? Updated On: 4/11/13 at 12:42 AM

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:45am

LOL, I can see it now- Bette Sleeping on the couch and having nightmares of calling for lines and not getting them LOL

[Leadingplayer]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 12:53am

Supposedly Dyan Cannon's character in Sondheim's movie script The Last of Sheila is based on Mengers.

[logan2]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 1:59am

Yes, and Shelley Winters in Blake Edwards' S.O.B.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 6:47am

At this point, there is no reason why she can't get through the show without calling for a line. Not only is it pathetic, but its an insult to those who've paid a fortune.

[Tom5]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 7:35am

Bump

Updated On: 4/11/13 at 07:35 AM

[Tom5]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 7:35am

Couldn't they have just handed her the script 3-4 months before rehearsals? Or would that have created union problems?

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 8:20am

From what I've heard, the instances Midler has been calling for line have been because of tiny tweaks that have been made to the script throughout previews thus far. It's not that she's having trouble remembering the script in general- it's that she's having trouble reconciling what she's already memorized with the new changes that are going in.

For what it's worth, two separate friends who've seen the show (neither particularly diehard fans of hers) both said they were so engrossed by her performance that they didn't even care when she went up. I'm sure she'll be ready to go by the opening at the end of the month.

[logan2]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 8:26am

Everything you could possibly want to know about Sue Mengers is in this terrific article:

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2000/04/sue-mengers-200004

If I'll Eat You Last is half as entertaining and full of dish as these 9 pages, then it should be a big hit.

After reading it, I hope one day Hollywood does a film based on her life. You know, all the parts where she's not sitting on that couch.





Updated On: 4/11/13 at 08:26 AM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 4/11/13 at 9:06am

Someone from the audience gets to go onstage and interact with Midler? I'm not usually a fan of that but it would be amazing. Is it a random person or based on a particular seat?

Also regarding Midler calling for her lines, I haven't heard reports on this from any of the other one man shows so I'm not sure why it's happening now. Holland Taylor is 70 and she hasn't had problems apparently. Maybe that can be excused since she wrote her show but still.

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 1:28pm

There's a small set of stairs leading up to the stage house right, so I'd assume the person she picks will always be someone in the front on that side.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 4:17pm

At this point, Im not sure why she doesn't have an earmic and signal (like puffing on a smoke) when she drops a line. She can improv for god sake while she is fed lines.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 4:17pm

At this point, Im not sure why she doesn't have an earmic and signal (like puffing on a smoke) when she drops a line. She can improv for god sake while she is fed lines.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 7:26pm

Is Bette still calling for lines? Anyone seen this lately? Has she improved?

[DAME]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 8:39pm

People are loving going to see her.

[followspot]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 9:49pm

Note-perfect tonight. Slight, but fun show. Beautiful production. She seems to be having a ball. The audience definitely did.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 10:05pm

Did she call for her lines at all?

[Brick]

Posted: 4/16/13 at 10:06pm

I hope she's well received in this and has a good time doing it so hopefully she braves doing a musical or another play.