# Death Becomes Her (musical)

Death Becomes Her is a musical, with a book by Marco Pennette and music and lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey. It is based on the 1992 film of the same name directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis. It made its world premiere in May 2024 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, and moved to the Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in November 2024.
The original Chicago and Broadway productions received mostly positive reviews by theatre critics, with Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard receiving universal praise for their comedic timing, chemistry, and performances.

## Development

In December 2017, a Broadway musical adaptation of Death Becomes Her was reported to be in development, with Kristin Chenoweth tapped to star. The book is written by Marco Pennette and has an original score by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey.
Notably, the character of Lisle von Rhuman, originally portrayed by Isabella Rossellini in the film, was changed to Viola Van Horn, portrayed by Michelle Williams. When asked about the decision making behind the change, Williams said she did not know what caused the change, but stated that there were some plot elements in the production that may hint at the reason.

## Production history
### Chicago (2024)

In September 2023 it was announced that the musical was produced by Broadway In Chicago, Universal Theatrical Group, 321 Theatrical Management, and was directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. The production featured set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Justin Townsend, sound design by Peter Hylenski, illusions by Rob Lake, hair and makeup by Charles LaPointe and Joe Dulude II.
The musical ran at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago from April 30 to June 2, 2024. The cast featured Megan Hilty as Madeline, Jennifer Simard as Helen, Christopher Sieber as Ernest and Michelle Williams as Viola Van Horn, a character originally named Lisle von Rhuman.

### Broadway (2024)

In May 2024, the producers announced their plans to have the musical begin performances at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on October 23 of that year, with an official opening scheduled for November 21. Joining the producing team for the Broadway transfer were Marc Platt (in his first stage producing collaboration with Universal since Wicked), Debra Martin Chase and Steven Spielberg alongside his wife Kate Capshaw.

## Cast and characters

| Character | Chicago | Broadway |
| Character | 2024 | 2024 |
| Madeline Ashton | Megan Hilty | Megan Hilty |
| Ernest Menville | Christopher Sieber | Christopher Sieber |
| Helen Sharp | Jennifer Simard | Jennifer Simard |
| Viola Van Horn | Michelle Williams | Michelle Williams |
| Chagall | Taurean Everett | Taurean Everett |
| Stefan | Josh Lamon | Josh Lamon |

## Synopsis
### Broadway Run Synopsis

Madeline Ashton (Megan Hilty) is a glamorous actress of the stage and screen, while Helen Sharp (Jennifer Simard) is a less-successful, mousy author who lives in her shadow. They have always had a turbulent relationship and were "frenemies", until Madeline "steals" Helen’s fiancé. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline's success dwindles, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, with a secret that’s "to die for."
After one sip of Viola’s magical potion, Madeline and Helen begin a new era of life with their youth and beauty restored…and a grudge to last eternity.

## Musical Numbers
### Broadway Run

| Act I If You Want Perfection — Viola, Immortals For the Gaze — Madeline, Ensemble That Was Then, This is Now — Helen Tell Me, Ernest — Madeline, Helen, Ernest Madeline Ashton's Intimate Wedding Extravaganza — Ernest, Madeline, Luciano, Ensemble Madeline — Helen Till Death — Ernest Tell Me, Ernest (Reprise) — Helen Falling Apart — Madeline Siempre Viva — Viola, Immortals Let's Run Away Together — Helen, Ernest Confrontation — Madeline, Helen | Act II Entr'Acte Don't Say I Didn't (Warn You) — Viola, Immortals Hit Me — Helen, Madeline The Plan — Ernest, Ensemble Stefan's Turn - Stefan Live to Serve - Chagall, Immortals Siempre Viva (Reprise) — Viola, Madeline, Helen The Chase — Immortals Till Death (Reprise) — Ernest, Madeline, Helen Alive Forever - Helen, Madeline This Is Not the End — Helen, Madeline, Ensemble |

### Chicago Run

| Act I Prelude — Viola, Ensemble For the Gaze —Madeline, Ensemble That Was Then, This is Now — Helen, Ernest Tell Me, Ernest — Madeline, Helen, Ernest The Vows — Ensemble Madeline — Helen (I See) Me! — Madeline, Ensemble Till Death — Ernest Tell Me, Ernest (Reprise) — Helen, Ernest Madeline's Lament — Madeline Siempre Viva — Viola, Madeline, Ensemble Let's Run Away Together — Helen, Ernest Disrespect Me (The Stairs) — Madeline, Helen Let's Run Away Together (Reprise) — Helen, Ernest, Madeline, Viola | Act II Don't Say I Didn't Warn You — Viola, Ensemble Hit Me Like You Mean It — Helen, Madeline, Ernest Ernest Menville — Ernest, Ensemble Siempre Viva (Reprise) — Viola, Madeline, Helen, Ernest Goodbye Forever — Ernest, Helen, Madeline That Was Then, This is Now (Reprise I) — Helen, Madeline Alive Forever - Helen, Madeline Gone (The Procession) — Ensemble That Was Then, This is Now (Reprise II) — Ernest Finale — Helen, Madeline |

## Critical response
### Chicago production

The original Chicago production received generally positive reviews, praising the cast performance, especially appreciating Williams, Hilty and Simard. Steven Oxman of Variety wrote that book writer Marco Pennette "makes many smart choices in this adaptation" writing that the narrative has a proper rhythm between singing performances and acting.

### Broadway production

The Broadway production was mostly praised by critics. In a positive review, Benjamin Lee of The Guardian stated that "after a buzzy initial run in Chicago, Death Becomes Her has been reborn on Broadway as a rousing, raucously entertaining hit", emphasizing that the acting performances equal those in the film. Greg Evans of Deadline Hollywood wrote that the musical production "improves in every way over the 1992 film" in which "Mattison and Carey have concocted a knock-’em-dead collection of killer songs that send up show tune convention while celebrating each and every one with love and care". Johnny Oleksinski of New York Post gave the production 3 out of 4 stars, appreciating that "the lyrics are often clever and naughty, but melody is cast aside in favor of vocal acrobatics" with the direction which "finds nifty ways of nodding to that legacy onstage" for an "appropriately over-the-top production".

## In popular culture

The show has gained popularity through what could be called a small TikTok trend where partaking content creators would lip-sync the lyrics to "Tell Me, Ernest".