It’s a rave! Kind of. The LA Times seems slightly embarrassed that it liked Bette Midler’s one-woman show about ’70s superagent Sue Mengers, I’ll Eat You Last. They describe Midler as “a galvanizing stage presence even in a role that barely requires her to move anything but her mouth” and says “The names that are dropped will no doubt titillate the affluent AARP crowd (Broadway’s backbone), but the script often feels like a back issue of People magazine.” In other words, it’s fun, but don’t expect to be artistically challenged. “Midler coaxes you into lowering your expectations and just enjoying this experience for what it is: a Broadway bonbon. This is what they call personality acting, the prerogative of stars of a certain magnitude. There aren’t that many of Midler’s caliber around anymore, the kind of performers who can charge a room with laughter before even a joke has passed their lips. Talent no longer has to be proved at this stage of the game. Fans, grateful for the years of delight, are content to bask in the glow of happy memories rekindled by the snap of a voice or the whisk of a hand gesture.” It’s true. They had me at the picture of Bette in a caftan. Who needs anything more? For tickets, go to Telecharge.
