Death Becomes Her
Lunt-Fontainne Theatre
November 2, 2024
Photo courtesy of Death Becomes Her
Death Becomes Her
is a bold and brassy new Broadway musical, based on the 1992 movie of the same title. The music and lyrics, by Julia Mattison and
Noel Carey, are dazzling, energetic, and zestful. The songs both drive the plot and offer an
insightful look into the characters. Marco
Pennette’s book is crisp, campy, and full of one-liners that bring the house
down. Christopher Gattelli’s direction
is fast paced, and his choreography is vigorous. It keeps the audience fully engaged. The cast is great, and the ensemble creates
an atmosphere that allows the audience to joyfully buy into the magic and
mystery of the storyline.
Helen Sharp (played by Jennifer Simard) introduces her life-long friend and two-time Academy Award nominated actress, Madeline Ashton (played by Megan Hilty), to her fiancĂ©, Ernest Menville (played by Christopher Sieber). At first, Madeline is not impressed. She then finds out that Ernest is a plastic surgeon. She immediately puts her hooks into him, and steals him from Helen. This is the last straw for Helen, who has suffered from Madeline’s petty jealousies for decades. She winds up in a mental hospital, and vows to seek revenge.
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| Megan Hilty & Jennifer Simard Photo courtesy of Death Becomes Her |
Fast forward ten
years. Madeline’s career has gone
downhill, and her marriage to Ernest is failing. Meanwhile, Helen has published a new bestseller,
looks fabulous, and is riding high on her success. This sends Madeline into a downward spiral,
until she meets Viola Van Horn (played by Michelle Williams), who sells her a
potion that restores her youthful looks.
It does, however, come with a serious warning.
Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard are amazing as Madeline and Helen. Their characterizations are over the top. Their comic timing is perfect, and their singing is spectacular. The scene where Madeline falls down a flight of stairs is skillfully staged. The biggest surprise is when she loses her head, literally. Megan Hilty plays the next scene with her head on the bar cart. It is hysterical… and highly effective. Christopher Sieber plays Ernest with heart. Both women use him for their selfish need, yet he never gives up on himself.
Michelle Williams & the Ensemble
Photo courtesy of Death Becomes Her
Scenic design by Derek
McLane is sumptuous. The lighting by
Justin Townsend is superb. Paul
Tazwell’s costumes are incredible and full of imagination. There are a lot of very fast changes, both for
costumes and sets. Everything is
seamless and brilliantly paced. This
creates a stunning glamour that, combined with the campy, over the top humor, gives
this show an opulent style of its own.
Death Becomes Her is playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. It is presently in preview, and officially opens on November 21. Go see it!
Domenick Danza
