Even though Bette Midler failed to score a Tony nomination for her one-woman show I’ll Eat You Last, audiences can’t get enough of the veteran actress. With a month to go before it closes, the show has made back its producers’ $2.4 million investment.
According to the New York Times, it took the production just eight weeks to reach the milestone. The play was written by Tony winner John Logan and has Midler playing Hollywood agent Sue Mengers. She did earn wonderful responses from critics for her performance, but she failed to get a Tony nomination in the Best Actress category, which includes five nominees.
Midler is one of two Hollywood stars on Broadway right now and both have been amazing successes. Tom Hanks, who did get nominated, stars in Lucky Guy, which has already recouped $3.6 million and continues through July 3.
Variety reports that Midler is performing at the Booth Theater, which only has 777 seats, through June 30. The theater is often sold out, despite the average ticket price being $149.
Broadway producers often look for major stars to appear in their productions in the hopes of recouping their investment. The Times notes that only about 25 percent of shows manage to do that. Many stars get a cut of the profits and sign on for limited engagements. Midler agreed to perform for 13 weeks.
Midler might be back on Broadway sooner than later, though. According to a BroadwayWorld report, an insider claimed that she has been approached to star in a Hello Dolly! revival.
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