The Broadway-bound stage musical adaptation of Death Becomes Her officially opens its world premiere engagement May 19 at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, and the production has released new photos and footage. Previews began April 30, with performances to continue through June 2.
Watch the cast perform "Tell Her" and "Prelude" in the videos above and below, and see new production photos in the gallery below.
and , who starred in an April 2023 reading of Death Becomes Her, again lead the cast as Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, respectively. They play fierce rivals who take a magic potion to obtain eternal youth only to find it has some gnarly side effects.
The two are joined by Tony nominee (Shrek the Musical, Spamalot) as Ernest Menville and Grammy winner (Destiny's Child, Aida) as Viola Van Horn.
The ensemble includes Marija Abney, Sarita Colon, , Natalie Charle Ellis, Gabriella Enriquez, , , Neil Haskell, , , , , Sir Brock Warren, , Ryan Worsing, and . Beau Harmon, Johanna Moise, , and Zach Williams are the swings.
Based on the 1992 film, the work features a book by TV writer-producer and music and lyrics by and . Tony winner (Newsies) is directing and choreographing with associate direction by Bethany Pettigrew and staging supervision by Mark Myars.
that the production will arrive on Broadway this fall at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
Death Becomes Her also has music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by , dance and incidental music arrangements by , music direction by , set design by , costume design by , lighting design by , sound design by , illusions by Rob Lake, hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe, makeup by , fights by , and casting by .
"Madeline Ashton is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen," state the press notes. "Helen Sharp is the long-suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies鈥� until Madeline steals Helen鈥檚 fianc茅 away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that鈥檚 to die for. After one sip of Viola鈥檚 magical potion, Madeline and Helen begin a new era of life (and death) with their youth and beauty restored鈥� and a grudge to last eternity."
The original film, directed by and written by Martin Donovan and David Koepp, starred and Goldie Hawn. It was an early pioneer in using CGI to achieve its special effects, which include Streep's head turned completely backwards and a gaping hole in Hawn's stomach. The film also featured a 半岛体育 in its first scene. The musical adaptation has been in the works since at least 2017, when Tony winner was . Chenoweth's involvement pre-dates the current creative team.
General management is by 321 Theatrical Management, and the production stage manager is . produces. UTG Vice President of Creative Development and Production Lowe Cunningham oversees on behalf of UTG.
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Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard
Christopher Sieber in Death Becomes Her
Michelle Williams and company of Death Becomes Her
Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, Megan Hilty, and Michelle Williams in Death Becomes Her
Jennifer Simard, Megan Hilty, and Christopher Sieber in Death Becomes Her
Company of Death Becomes Her
Michelle Williams and company of Death Becomes Her
