Tonight the man you don’t want to be is Ken Sunshine. He’s the pr flack for both Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand (here on the East Coast). And tonight it’s a deathmatch diva duel as Midler opens on Broadway in “I’ll Eat You Last” and Streisand celebrates her birthday with a big party. Today is her actual birthday and she turns 71.
Midler is playing Sue Mengers, who was Streisand’s pal and agent at one time. Streisand just got her Lincon Center award. Now there’s a swanky soiree for her at Donna Karan’s Urban Zen tonight in the West Village. The Midler show kicks off at 6:45pm, produced by (among others) Graydon Carter. The show is 90 minutes, no intermission. Then everyone heads to the faux Russian Tea Room on West 57th St.
Cocktails for Streisand begin at 7:30pm, just as Bette starts the second half of her 90 minute monologue. Word is she’s great, and ticket sales are through the roof.
Overlap in invites? Without a doubt. How will it work? Where will everyone go? Will anyone sing? (Doubtful.)
Happy Birthday, Barbra!
Good luck, Bette!
