Death Becomes Her the Musical to debut in Chicago

Megan Hilty (known for ‘Smash’) and Jennifer Simard (featured in ‘Once Upon a One More Time’) are set to lead the global debut of the upcoming musical, ‘Death Becomes Her: The Musical’. This premiere is slated for 30 April 2024 at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre, with the season scheduled to end on 2 June 2024.

‘Death Becomes Her’, inspired by the 1992 Universal Pictures film penned by Martin Donovan and David Koepp, boasts a script from Marco Pennette and musical compositions from Julia Mattison and Noel Carey. Direction and choreography will be overseen by Christopher Gattelli. Mary-Mitchell Campbell is in the role of music supervisor, while Ted Arthur assumes the post of music director.

Death Becomes Her is a dark comedic fantasy film released in 1992. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the story revolves around the fierce rivalry between two women, Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, who have spent years competing with each other, particularly over the affections of the same man, Ernest Menville.

The rivalry takes a supernatural turn when Madeline discovers a mysterious potion that promises eternal youth. Unable to resist, both women end up consuming the elixir. While the potion does deliver on its promise of agelessness, it comes with unexpected and grotesque side effects. As the women go to greater lengths to maintain their youthful appearances and one-up each other, the movie delves into the themes of vanity, jealousy, and the societal pressures on women to maintain their youth.

The film is characterized by its dark humor, visual effects, and performances by its lead actors, Meryl Streep (Madeline Ashton), Goldie Hawn (Helen Sharp), and Bruce Willis (Ernest Menville).

In the musical, Hilty and Simard will portray Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp respectively, characters famously portrayed by Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn in the film. The story revolves around Madeline and Helen, two rivals vying for the attention of a mutual love interest, who both consume a mystical elixir offering everlasting youth, albeit with unforeseen repercussions.

While the full ensemble is yet to be disclosed, a recent script reading spotlighted Christopher Sieber in the role of Ernest Menville (a part once performed by Bruce Willis), Nicole Scherzinger (shortly to headline a fresh adaptation of ‘Sunset Boulevard’ in London’s West End) as Viola Van Horn (originally played by Isabella Rossellini), and Kevin Smith Kirkwood as Zander Medly.