Death Becomes Her

 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 fiancé, 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. 

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

The Cher Show

The Cher Show

Neil Simon Theatre

April 20, 2019

Photo courtesy of The Cher Show

The Cher Show is a glitzy and flamboyant celebration of personal empowerment.  The chronological narrative tells the story of Cher’s rise to fame, her highs and lows, and her unwavering endurance.  She faces her fears and rises above every obstacle and challenge she faces.  With costumes by the great Bob Mackie, the production is a superb and deserving fashion show.  The cast, led by Stephanie J. Block, is outstanding.  The show is fast paced, high energy, nostalgic, and full of laughs. 

Teal Wicks, Stephanie J. Block, & Micaela Diamond
Photo courtesy of The Cher Show

Cher is portrayed as three different personalities: the Star (played by Stephanie J. Block), the Lady (played by Teal Wicks), and the Babe (played by Micaela Diamond).  Although they represent Cher at three different stages in her life, they come and go throughout the show as certain personality traits are needed in order to face different situations.  Also spread throughout the show are numerous Cher hits that encapsulate her emotional point of view at various moments.

Stephanie J. Block commands the stage and keeps the narrative flowing.  She is truly spectacular, and creates genuine moments in Act II.  Jarrod Spector’s portrayal of Sonny Bono is charismatic, funny, and spirited.  When he and Micaela Diamond sing “I Got You Babe” in the first act, everything is suddenly right with the world.  It is topped in Act II with a short, heartfelt reprise by Ms. Block and Mr. Spector after Sonny’s death.

Jarrod Spector & Micaela Diamond
Photo courtesy of The Cher Show

One highlight in the book by Rick Elice is the montage of Cher’s acting career on Broadway and in the movies.  This section of Act II is concise and excellently staged.  Another high point in Act II is the “Dark Lady” dance scene.  The choreography by Christopher Gattelli is hot and meticulous.  The story telling elements in this sequence are clear, revealing, and propel the story forward. 

The Cher Show is playing at the Neil Simon Theatre.  If you are a Cher fan, a Bob Mackie enthusiast, a Sonny and Cher aficionado, or are just looking for a flamboyant good time in the theatre, this show is for you.  

Domenick Danza

SpongeBob SquarePants, The Broadway Musical

SpongeBob SquarePants

The Broadway Musical

Palace Theatre

Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

Tina Landau has taken the one-dimensional characters and elementary humor of a popular Nickelodeon cartoon and transformed it into a Broadway spectacular.  SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical is over the top fun!  Book writer Kyle Jarrow creates story arcs for each character as they hilariously struggle to achieve their goal.  The phenomenal cast personifies these under water creatures with strong physical and visual support by costume designer David Zinn and hair and wig designer Charles G. LaPointe.  The set, by David Zinn, explodes off the stage of the Place Theatre with imaginative shapes and vibrant color.

Danny Skinner, Ethan Slater, & Christina Sajous
Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

SpongeBob (played by Ethan Slater) starts his day at Bikini Bottom like any other.  We meet his friend Patrick Star (played by Danny Skinner), the cranky Squidward (played by Gavin Lee), Sandy Cheeks, the squirrel (played by Christina Sajous), Eugene Krabs, owner of the Krusty Krab where SpongeBob works (played by Brian Ray Norris), and his daughter Pearl (played by Jai’ Len Christine Li Josey).  They are all happy to face the day ahead, except Squidward of course.  Suddenly the ground shakes and there is a special report that a large and dangerous volcano, Mount Humungous, is ready to erupt and inevitably destroy Bikini Bottom.  Everyone goes into hysterics and is ready to follow the diabolical scheme of Sheldon Plankton (played by Wesley Taylor) and Karen the Computer (played by Catherine Ricafort) to flee for their lives, while unknowingly become hypnotized and under their power.  It is up to SpongeBob, Sandy, and Patrick to save the day.

Gavin Lee as Squidward
Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

The outstanding vocal characterizations and physical timing of the cast is fascinating.  It keeps the audience engaged throughout the show.  Ethan Slater is a phenomenon.  His amazing vocal range is only surpassed by his physical strength and dexterity.  Gavin Lee skillfully embodies the curmudgeonly Squidward.  He masterfully becomes one with his four-legged costume.  You can’t help but love and root for this downtrodden creature.  Danny Skinner is loveable as Patrick.  Christina Sajous is energetic and sharp as Sandy.  These four performers have a strong connection and genuine chemistry that builds as they face their outlandish and believable challenges.

Jai'Len Christine Li Josey as Pearl
Photo courtesy of SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical

Jai’ Len Christine Li Josey is outstanding as Pearl.  She has a strong presence and powerful singing voice.  Brian Ray Taylor is a bold Eugene Krab, creating conflict and thankfully seeing the error of his ways in the end.  Wesley Taylor and Catherine Ricafort are positively evil.  Due to their amazing teamwork, their self-serving plan is raucously carried out with wicked detail and credible precision.   

SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical is scheduled to close on September 16.  With choreography by Christopher Gattelli and a score composed by a long list of famous musicians, Tina Landau has created a wild and crazy fun night of imaginative theatre.  You have only a few weeks left to experience it.  Don’t miss out!

Domenick Danza