Side by side
Bette and Dolly trace parallel paths to stardom
Dolly Parton performs at a Tennessee air base.
By DAVID MENCONI, Staff Writer
You’d probably have trouble naming two less similar performers than Dolly Parton and Bette Midler. At first glance, they have nothing in common beyond their status as voluptuous bombshells. Midler is big-city sophistication, Broadway and a “Stepford Wife.” Parton is rural earthiness, the Grand Ole Opry and a “Steel Magnolia.” Midler sings in a theatrical croon, Parton a high choking sob. And Parton’s image is sweet while Midler’s is salty.
Yet Parton and Midler, who both play Raleigh’s RBC Center this week, actually have more in common than you’d think. Born within two months of each other as 1945 turned into 1946, both women are old-style multimedia entertainers who have been enormously successful on stages and screens. They’ve both won Grammys and Emmys and been nominated for Oscars. And you’d never know just how short each one is, based on her larger-than-life image.
WHAT: Bette Midler
WHEN: Monday, 8 p.m.
WHERE: RBC Center, Raleigh.
COST: $45.50-$125.50 .
CALL: Ticketmaster, 834-4000, ticketmaster.com.
WHAT: Dolly Parton
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: RBC Center, Raleigh.
COST: $34-$54.
CALL: Ticketmaster, 834-4000, ticketmaster.com.
