"Death Becomes Her "Hits Broadway! See the Musical's Cast Alongside Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Original Film Stars
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10/24/2024 01:30 PM
The beloved movie's characters are getting a new life — and eternal youth — on the Great White Way
Franz Szony; Shutterstock
Left: Poster for 'Death Becomes Her' musical; Right: Poster for 'Death Becomes Her' movie.Death Becomes Her is making a killing on Broadway!
Performances for the musical adaptation of the 1992 fan-favorite film are now in previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City, with an opening night set for Thursday, Nov. 21.
Like the film, the stage show follows longtime frienemies Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp. After Madeline steals Helen's plastic surgeon fiancé Ernest Menville, Helen plots her revenge with a tell-all novel. But a mysterious potion that restores the feuding pair's youth and beauty soon turns their world upside down.
It's a twisted tale, and one that's become a fan-favorite over the years, especially in the LGBTQ+ community. The dark comedy — directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis and Isabella Rossellini — even won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
Now, Death Becomes Her has been brought to life on stage, in a new musical featuring a score from the songwriting team of Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, and a book by Marco Pennette. Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli directs and choreographs.
Leading the production are stage veterans and Tony nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard and Christopher Sieber. Joining them is Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams, in her first original Broadway role.
To celebrate, PEOPLE put together a side-by-side gallery of the cast on stage and on screen. Take a look:
Madeline Ashton
Franz Szony; Moviestore/Shutterstock
Left: Megan Hilty in 'Death Becomes Her' musical; Right: Meryl Streep in 'Death Becomes Her' movie.Originally portrayed by Streep in the film, Hilty takes on the role of Madeline Ashton, the aging actress obsessed with youth and beauty. It's her first time back on the boards since her Tony Award-moninated performance in 2016's Noises Off
Hilty previously told PEOPLE the opportunity to play Madeline is "good enough to uproot my entire family and move them across the country for a year."
"Madeline Ashton is such a delightful part, and they've written such incredible songs for me to sing," she said. "What I love is that in general, not just for my character, but for everything, they made such smart changes in adapting it to the stage. They didn't just pluck it from the movie and set it on stage. It really is crafted for the theater, and there's such wonderful Easter eggs in it for people who love the film."
Helen Sharp
Franz Szony; AJ Pics/Alamy Stock Photo
Left: Jennifer Simard in 'Death Becomes Her' musical; Right: Goldie Hawn in 'Death Becomes Her' movie.Helen Sharp was created on screen by Hawn, and is played on stage by Simard, a two-time Tony nominee for her performances in Company (2022) and Disaster! (2016).
Hawn recently reflected on Death Becomes Her with Good Morning America.
"Meryl [Streep] said, 'Isn't it pitiful how old they are?'" she said. "It was this incredible thing — do you want to live forever? And that's what I loved about this movie, what it said and basically how it gave you things to think and talk about because everything gets old again."
Related: George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Robert Downey Jr. and All the Stars Heading to Broadway
Ernest Menville
Franz Szony; Moviestore/Shutterstock
Left: Christopher Sieber in 'Death Becomes Her' musical; Right: Bruce Willis in 'Death Becomes Her' movie.Dr. Ernest Menville is the muse and prized possession of both Madeline and Helen, especially when (spoiler alert) the pair die and need the plastic surgeon's skills to make a series of strange and inhuman repairs to them.
Willis played Ernest in the 1992 film, returning to his comedic roots after making a name for himself in the Die Hard franchise. Last year, Willis' family announced he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
On stage, Sieber is stepping into Ernest's shoes. It'll be the 13th Broadway credit for the stage star, known for roles in The Prom, Company, La Cage aux Folles, Beauty and the Beast and more. He's also a two-time Tony nominee, for his roles in 2009's Shrek and 2005's Spamalot.
Lisle Von Rhuman/ Viola Van Horn
Franz Szony; UNIVERSAL PICTURES /Album/Alamy Stock Photo
Left: Michelle Williams in 'Death Becomes Her' musical; Right: Isabella Rossellini in 'Death Becomes Her' movie.In the film, Lisle Von Rhuman is a wealthy socialite who offers the potion of youth to Madeline and Helen. Rossellini, who plays Lisle in the film, had a "mother"-like concern for her nude body double when they were filming.
"I went up to my double and I said, 'I will stay here in my trailer. If you need me, just let me know and I'll come out and be here with you,' " she told Variety. "I was there like a mother saying, 'I'm here to protect you.' "
In the musical, the character gets a new name: Viola Van Horn. Grammy winner Williams flays the mysterious character, and opens the show with her powerful vocals.
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Tickets to Death Becomes Her are now on sale.
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