I’ve always adored Bette Midler ever since I watched Beaches as a teenager.  I missed her show in Las Vegas a couple of years ago, so when the opportunity came along, I had to grab it.  A 22-hour flight later, I was in New York City watching my idol, Bette Midler, playing Sue Mengers in this one-woman show, I’ll Eat You Last: My Chat with Sue Mengers.

Sue Mengers was the most powerful agent in Hollywood in the ‘70s before she passed on in 2011. The legendary talent scout was so well-known; her clients included the show business’ biggest names such as Barbra Streisand, Michael Caine and Faye Dunaway.

Throughout the 80-minute show, Miss M sparkled as she got into the character. Her presence lit up the whole theatre and her delivery of Sue Mergers was so strong that I got to know Sue much better even though I had exactly no clue who she was before the show. Miss M even got a member of the audience to play the role of her butler.  It was hilarious as the man stumbled on stage and had to remove his shoes as he walked on her “dry-cleaned” carpet to bring her cigarettes and water.

But the best part of the experience was after the show.  Before leaving the theatre, Divine Miss M stopped outside to sign Playbills for her fans. Despite the strong wind and freezing temperature outside the theatre, it was definitely worth the wait just to meet Divine Miss M close up and get her autograph.

I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
Booth Theatre
222 West 45th Street

Play ends on June 30, 2013