Full casting has been unveiled for the upcoming Broadway bow of Death Becomes Her. Based on the cult-favorite film (celebrating its 32nd anniversary today), the musical will begin performances at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre October 23 ahead of a November 21 opening night.
As previously announced, Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard will lead the company as Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, respectively, two rivals who gain eternal youth via a magic potion with some dirty side effects. Christopher Sieber and Michelle Williams are co-starring as Ernest Menville and Viola Van Horn, respectively. All four are reprising their performances from the musical's Chicago pre-Broadway tryout earlier this year.
Newly announced to be joining them are Marija Abney, Lauren Celentano, Sarita Colon, Kaleigh Cronin, Natalie Charle Ellis, Taurean Everett, Michael Graceffa, Neil Haskell, Kolton Krouse, Josh Lamon, Sarah Meahl, Ximone Rose, Sir Brock Warren, Bud Weber, Ryan Worsing, and Warren Yang. Swings Kyle Brown, Lakota Knuckle, Johanna Moise, and Amy Quanbeck will round out the company. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting.
The work features a book by Marco Pennette, adapted from the screenplay by Martin Donovan and David Koepp; and songs by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey. Newsies Tony winner Christopher Gattelli is directing and choreographing.
The production will feature scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Justin Townsend, sound design by Peter Hylenski, hair and wig design by Charles J. LaPointe, makeup design by Joe Dulude II, fight direction by Thomas Schall, music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, dance and incidental music arrangements by Sam Davis, and music direction by Ben Cohn. Rachel Sterner will be production stage manager.
The 1992 film, directed and co-produced by Robert Zemeckis, was noted for its relatively early use of CGI to achieve effects like star Meryl Streep's head turned completely backwards and a gaping hole going through her co-star Goldie Hawn. This musical version has been kicking around since at least 2017, when Kristin Chenoweth was attached to star, then with a separate creative team.
Universal Theatrical Group—overseen by Jimmy Horowitz and led by Lowe Cunningham—is producing.
Tickets are available at DeathBecomesHer.com.
