Sophie von Haselberg, daughter of Bette Midler, has a star turn in Mike Bencivenga’s new play Billy & Ray at the Vineyard Theater in New York. The rollicking comedy is soaked in Hollywood royalty through and through–the Billy & Ray of the title are Billy Wilder (Vincent Kartheiser) and Raymond Chandler (Larry Pine), trying hilariously (and poignantly) to produce the film version of Double Indemnity. It’s directed by TV legend–the word not used lightly–Garry Marshall, who also directed its world premiere at his own Falcon Theater last spring.
What to add to such a potent big name brew? The Yale-educated Sophie von Haselberg sounds about right. That way you also get that extra buzz in the audience when Mom shows up, as she did this week. (Bette Midler is one of those names that make Page Six just for going to a play, not even acting in it.) Bette and her husband, the Argentinian actor Martin von Haselberg, have been married since 1984. Mr. von Haselberg accompanied Ms. Midler to see their daughter in the show. Billy & Ray is in previews at the Vineyard Theater, 108 East 15th Street.
