Death Becomes Her (musical) explained

Death Becomes Her
Music:Julia Mattison
Noel Carey
Lyrics:Julia Mattison
Noel Carey
Premiere Location:Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago
Productions:2024 Chicago
2024 Broadway
Basis:Death Becomes Her
by Martin Donovan
David Koepp

Death Becomes Her is a musical, with a book by Marco Pennette and music and lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey. It is based on the 1992 film of the same name directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis. It made its world premiere in May 2024 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago,[1] and moved to the Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in November 2024.[2]

The original Chicago and Broadway productions received positive reviews by theatre critics, considering the musical among the best examples of the musical based on films, while Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber and Michelle Williams were praised for their acting and vocal performances.

Development

In December 2017, a Broadway musical adaptation of Death Becomes Her was reported to be in development, with Kristin Chenoweth tapped to star.[3] [4] The book is written by Marco Pennette and has an original score by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey.[5]

Notably, the character of Lisle von Rhuman, originally portrayed by Isabella Rossellini in the film, was changed to Viola Van Horn, portrayed by Michelle Williams. When asked about the decision making behind the change, Williams said she did not know what caused the change, but stated that there were some plot elements in the production that may hint at the reason.[6]

Production history

Chicago (2024)

In September 2023 it was announced that the musical was produced by Broadway In Chicago, Universal Theatrical Group, 321 Theatrical Management, and was directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.[7] The production featured set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Justin Townsend, sound design by Peter Hylenski, illusions by Rob Lake, hair and makeup by Charles LaPointe and Joe Dulude II.[8]

The musical ran at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago from April 30 to June 2, 2024.[9] The cast featured Megan Hilty as Madeline, Jennifer Simard as Helen, Christopher Sieber as Ernest and Michelle Williams as Viola Van Horn, character originally named Lisle von Rhuman.[10]

Broadway (2024)

In May 2024, the producers announced their plans to have the musical begin performances Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on October 23 of that year, with an official opening scheduled for November 21. Joining the producing team for the Broadway transfer were Marc Platt (in his first stage producing collaboration with Universal since Wicked), Debra Martin Chase and Steven Spielberg alongside his wife Kate Capshaw.[11] [12]

Cast and characters

CharacterChicagoBroadway
2024[13] 2024[14]
Madeline AshtonMegan Hilty
Ernest MenvilleChristopher Sieber
Helen SharpJennifer Simard
Viola Van HornMichelle Williams

Songs

Broadway
Act I
  • If You Want Perfection — Viola, Immortals
  • For the Gaze — Madeline, Ensemble
  • That Was Then, This is Now — Helen
  • Tell Me, Ernest — Madeline, Helen, Ernest
  • Madeline Ashton's Intimate Wedding Extravaganza — Ernest, Madeline, Luciano, Ensemble
  • Madeline — Helen
  • Till Death — Ernest
  • Tell Me, Ernest (Reprise) — Helen
  • Falling Apart — Madeline
  • Siempre Viva — Viola, Immortals
  • Let's Run Away Together — Helen, Ernest
  • Confrontation — Madeline, Helen
Act II
  • Entr'Acte
  • Don't Say I Didn't (Warn You) — Viola, Immortals
  • Hit Me — Helen, Madeline
  • The Plan — Ernest, Ensemble
  • Stefan's Turn - Stefan
  • Live to Serve - Chagall, Immortals
  • Siempre Viva (Reprise) — Viola, Madeline, Helen
  • The Chase — Immortals
  • Till Death (Reprise) — Ernest, Madeline, Helen
  • Alive Forever - Helen, Madeline
  • This Is Not the End — Helen, Madeline, Ensemble
Chicago
Act I
  • Prelude — Viola, Ensemble
  • For the Gaze —Madeline, Ensemble
  • That Was Then, This is Now — Helen, Ernest
  • Tell Me, Ernest — Madeline, Helen, Ernest
  • The Vows — Ensemble
  • Madeline — Helen
  • (I See) Me! — Madeline, Ensemble
  • Till Death — Ernest
  • Tell Me, Ernest (Reprise) — Helen, Ernest
  • Madeline's Lament — Madeline
  • Siempre Viva — Viola, Madeline, Ensemble
  • Let's Run Away Together — Helen, Ernest
  • Disrespect Me (The Stairs) — Madeline, Helen
  • Let's Run Away Together (Reprise) — Helen, Ernest, Madeline, Viola
Act II
  • Don't Say I Didn't Warn You — Viola, Ensemble
  • Hit Me Like You Mean It — Helen, Madeline, Ernest
  • Ernest Menville — Ernest, Ensemble
  • Siempre Viva (Reprise) — Viola, Madeline, Helen, Ernest
  • Goodbye Forever — Ernest, Helen, Madeline
  • That Was Then, This is Now (Reprise I) — Helen, Madeline
  • Alive Forever - Helen, Madeline
  • Gone (The Procession) — Ensemble
  • That Was Then, This is Now (Reprise II) — Ernest
  • Finale — Helen, Madeline

Critical response

Chicago production

The original Chicago production received generally positive reviews, praising the cast performance, especially appreciating Williams, Hilty and Simard.[15] [16] [17] Steven Oxman of Variety wrote that book writer Marco Pennette "makes many smart choices in this adaptation" writing that the narrative has a proper rhythm between singing performances and acting.[18]

Broadway production

The Broadway production was also praised by critics, which defined the musical one of the best stage adaptation from a film.[19] [20] [21] In a positive review, Benjamin Lee of The Guardian stated that "after a buzzy initial run in Chicago, Death Becomes Her has been reborn on Broadway as a rousing, raucously entertaining hit", emphasizing that the acting performances equal those in the film.[22] Greg Evans of Deadline Hollywood wrote that the musical production "improves in every way over the 1992 film" in which "Mattison and Carey have concocted a knock-’em-dead collection of killer songs that send up show tune convention while celebrating each and every one with love and care".[23] Johnny Oleksinski of New York Post gave the production 3 out of 4 stars, appreciating that "the lyrics are often clever and naughty, but melody is cast aside in favor of vocal acrobatics" with the direction which "finds nifty ways of nodding to that legacy onstage" for an "appropriately over-the-top production".[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Evans . Greg . September 5, 2023 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Stage Musical Sets Pre-Broadway Chicago Run For Spring 2024 . May 22, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  2. Web site: Cox . Gordon . November 12, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Broadway Stars Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard on How ‘Camp and General Over-the-Topness’ Make the Movie Sing Onstage . November 23, 2024 . Variety.
  3. News: Wong . Curtis M. . December 13, 2017 . 'Death Becomes Her' is About to Become a Broadway Musical . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180308234322/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/death-becomes-her-musical_us_5a316aaee4b07ff75affb6a4 . March 8, 2018 . June 10, 2018 . HuffPost.
  4. Web site: Geier . Thom . December 13, 2017 . Kristin Chenoweth to Star in Stage Musical Version of Meryl Streep's 'Death Becomes Her' . May 22, 2024 . TheWrap.
  5. Web site: Lee . Ashley . December 13, 2017 . Kristin Chenoweth to Star in ‘Death Becomes Her’ Stage Musical . May 22, 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. Williams . Michelle . Death Becomes Her Musical Interview with Stars Megan Hilty, Christopher Sieber & Michelle Williams . . Ryan Jay Reviews . May 3, 2024. . June 11, 2024.
  7. Web site: Scorziello . Sophia . September 5, 2023 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Musical Starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard Coming To Chicago . May 22, 2024 . Variety.
  8. Web site: Gans . Andrew . 2023-09-05 . Death Becomes Her Musical Will Open on Broadway This Fall Starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard . 2024-05-15 . Playbill.
  9. Web site: Evans . Greg . 2023-09-05 . Death Becomes Her Stage Musical Sets Pre-Broadway Chicago Run For Spring 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230906164419/https://deadline.com/2023/09/death-becomes-her-broadway-1235536955/ . September 6, 2023 . 2023-09-06 . Deadline Hollywood.
  10. Web site: Gans . Andrew . March 4, 2024 . Christopher Sieber, Michelle Williams, More Join Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard in Death Becomes Her Musical . May 22, 2024 . Playbill.
  11. Web site: Jones . Chris . May 2, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ gets a new life as a Broadway musical, opening in a world premiere in Chicago . May 22, 2024 . Chicago Tribune.
  12. News: Paulson . Michael . May 15, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Musical to Open on Broadway This Fall . May 22, 2024 . . 0362-4331.
  13. Web site: Conway . Jeff . April 23, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Cast And Creators On Turning The Film Into A Musical . May 22, 2024 . Forbes.
  14. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . November 21, 2024 . Death Becomes Her Opens on Broadway November 21 . November 23, 2024 . Playbill.
  15. Web site: Culwell-Block . Logan . Gans . Andrew . May 20, 2024 . Reviews: What Do Critics Think of the Broadway-Bound Death Becomes Her Musical? . May 22, 2024 . Playbill.
  16. Web site: Wexler . Matthew . May 21, 2024 . First look at Broadway-bound "Death Becomes Her," Billy Porter's special Tony & Brandi Carlile's surprise appearance . May 22, 2024 . Queerty.
  17. Web site: Sullivan . Catey . May 20, 2024 . 'Death Becomes Her' stage musical a charming affair needing just a few wrinkles ironed out . May 22, 2024 . Chicago Sun-Times.
  18. Web site: Oxman . Steven . May 20, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Review: Promising Pre-Broadway Musical Makes for a Campy Improvement on the Cult Film . May 21, 2024 . Variety.
  19. Web site: Green . Jesse . November 22, 2024 . Review: In ‘Death Becomes Her,’ Spiking the Fountain of Youth . November 23, 2024 . The New York Times.
  20. Web site: Rizzo . Frank . November 22, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Review: A Laugh-Filled, Tuneful Broadway Musical to Die For . November 25, 2024 . Variety.
  21. Web site: Feldman . Adam . November 21, 2024 . Broadway review: Death Becomes Her springs to new life . November 25, 2024 . Time Out.
  22. News: Lee . Benjamin . November 22, 2024 . Death Becomes Her review – 90s comedy gets dazzling Broadway rebirth . November 23, 2024 . . 0261-3077.
  23. Web site: Evans . Greg . November 22, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ Broadway Review: Megan Hilty & Jennifer Simard Shine In Life Force Of A Musical . November 23, 2024 . Deadline Hollywood.
  24. Web site: Oleksinski . Johnny . November 22, 2024 . ‘Death Becomes Her’ review: Claws are out in Broadway camp fest . November 23, 2024 . New York Post.

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