Bette Midler's Show Is Going Into The Booth Theatre

[Jordan Catalano]

Why in the world is this going into one of the smallest houses on Broadway???

[Claudia Draper]

Well now the ticket $$$ will be at Hugh Jackman levels or higher..

[ACL2006]

why are they picking the second smallest house on Broadway?!?!?! Do they not think she can sell out a larger theater??

[somethingwicked]

It's the BOOK OF MORMON mentality- put the show in a smaller house where you know it will sell out, which will create much higher demand for tickets and allow for an inevitably higher pricing structure.

Considering it's a one woman play, having it be in a more intimate venue is also more appropriate for the piece (not to mention how desirable the location of the Booth is.)

[ACL2006]

but it's not like Midler won't be able to sell out the Longacre or Barrymore. Considering it'll likely be a limited run(3 months??) will make it nearly impossible to get tickets. I have to wonder if they'll do any kind of rush or lottery. And does the Booth have SRO??

[Blockhead24]

Yes, the Booth has SRO

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

"Tickets for I'LL EAT YOU LAST are available exclusively to American Express cardholders starting Saturday, February 2 at 10 AM by calling 212-239-6200 or visit Telecharge.com. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Sunday, February 17. Ticket prices range from $82 - $142. Standing room and rush policies will be announced in the coming weeks."

[everythingtaboo]

It's Bette, but it's also a non-singing one-woman show about someone most people haven't heard of, in a really crowded spring season. I think it's a great move, actually. They'll be able to make a mint just off the Bette audience alone, not worry about low attendance, and make it a tough-to-get ticket.

[RippedMan]

I will say knowing it's a one women show has me a little less excited.

[jaxandmci]

It'll be interesting to see what the run time is on this. I hope it's not another one of those barely-an-hour-long plays.

I'll have my AMEX in hand Saturday morning and I'm sure the good seats are going to be quite steep! But what the heck! It's Bette!

[TalkinLoud]

I think some of you may be overestimated the appeal of Bette and this show.

[GatorNY]

I'm actually a bit more excited about The Testament of Mary...which I'm sure I will have no problem getting a ticket for, probably on TDF even.

Jordan, all I can think when I see your avatar is HANDS ON A HARD BODY.

[suestorm]

talkinloud, i was talking to a bunch of my friends about this,all 23 and younger its sad, but most dont know who she is other then "that annoying lady in Parental Guidance". I know its very sad, i agree.

[Jordan Catalano]

I find that hard to believe.

[themysteriousgrowl]

We're getting old, Jordy.

I agree that there may be an overestimation of her broad appeal/popularity going on here.

She had her time, but I think she's thought more of as a B-lister these days, and it doesn't surprise me at all to hear that the under-25 set might only be tangentially aware of who she is.

[everythingtaboo]

What, that talkinloud has college aged friends? (I kid!)

I'm 35 and went to Bette's Vegas show a few years ago. I swear I was the youngest one there. So I'm not surprised our youngins' don't share our fondness for her, aside from the couple of weirdo kids obsessed with the 60s and 70s.

[ljay889]

I'm sorry, but the 20-25 crowd has no excuse. We grew up on HOCUS POCUS! Idiots.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Yes! Like OUR things! Idiots!

I will be very curious to see how this sells, though.

[ljay889]

What? LOL. I meant the 20-25 year olds who don't know Bette are idiots.....
Wasn't calling anyone here an idiot.

[Wynbish]

I honestly think the first Bette movie I saw was Hocus Pocus.

[kadu335]

I'm 23 and I love Bette, but I would bet a million bucks most of my friends wouldn't know who she is LOL

[GavestonPS]

Not well known to the kids, I'll concede, but "B list"? I don't think so. Midler's more in the "legend" category like Cher, who hasn't had a film hit in decades.

When PROJECT RUNWAY previewed the guest judges for the season that began last week, they saved Bette Midler for last and she was clearly the "big deal" on a list that included Jennifer Hudson, Debra Messing, Zoe Saldana, Hilary Duff and Hayden Panettiere.

And I didn't see the movie, but I feel sure "that annoying woman from PARENTAL GUIDANCE" was Billy Crystal.

[ljay889]

I honestly think the first Bette movie I saw was Hocus Pocus.

Me too, lol. I remember seeing it in the theaters as a little one.

[suestorm]

she really hasnt been in any big movies or tv shows that people my age watch in years. same with Babs, Im a theater geek so i know them but do get a lot of ribbing for it.

[Wynbish]

Hocus Pocus was on ABC Family all the time this past October

[themysteriousgrowl]

Is she thought of as a legend, Gav, broadly? I guess for the “Project Runway” audience, the reception you describe makes sense, but outside of circles with significant male homosexual fan bases beyond a certain age… I honestly don’t think she’s thought seen that way. I’d guess that if I were to ask my coworkers or, say, my mom or sister, they’d think of her as a sort-of washed-up ‘80s actress/singer.

And I wouldn’t necessarily defend that perception. I’m just saying I think reverence for her is reserved by minority segments, demographically speaking.

Or maybe I’m totally off-base! I usually am!