From Screen to Stage: How Universal Pictures' 'Death Becomes Her' Found a New Life
Universal Theatrical Group announced the Broadway premiere of the drop-dead hilarious new musical comedy 'Death Becomes Her', beginning preview performances Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
August 14, 2024
Universal Theatrical group produces Death Becomes Her, based off the hit Universal Pictures film of the same name from 1992.
Madeline Ashton is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Helen Sharp is the long-suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies… until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman 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 (and death) with their youth and beauty restored…and a grudge to last eternity.
Life’s a b*tch and then you die. Or not!
Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli, the new broadway musical Death Becomes Her features a book by Marco Pennette, and an original score by Julia Mattison & Noel Carey.
Death Becomes Her (1992): A Beloved Cult Film
In 1992, Robert Zemeckis directed and produced the original Death Becomes Her, a satirical black fantasy comedy written by David Koepp and Martin Donovan. Starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini, the film tells the story of two women vying for the affection of the same man who discover a potion promising eternal youth.
Universal Pictures released Death Becomes Her in the United States on July 31, 1992. The groundbreaking film was praised for its pioneering use of computer-generated effects, earning it the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
In the decades since, the film gained a cult following and became a signature title within the LGBTQ+ community, where it has become the focus of Pride Month screenings and drag performances across the globe.
A Second Life: Death Becomes Her Becomes a Musical
Over thirty years after the film's release, it was announced that Death Becomes Her was heading to the stage with broadway actor and “Smash” legend Megan Hilty set to take on Streep’s Madeline Ashton, a vanity-obsessed actor looking to revive the beauty of her youth at any cost.
The show began performances at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre on Sunday, May 19, starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty (Wicked, “Smash”), Jennifer Simard (Company, Disaster!), Christopher Sieber (Spamalot, Company), and Grammy® Award winner Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child, Chicago). The Broadway in Chicago Pre-Broadway production ran through Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Grammy® Award winner Michelle Williams stars in 'Death Becomes Her'
In May 2024, it was announced that the musical would begin performances at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on October 23 of that year, with an official opening scheduled for November 21.
Death Becomes Her features scenic design by two-time Tony Award winner Derek McLane, costume design by Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Tony Award winner Justin Townsend, sound design by Tony Award winner Peter Hylenski, illusions by Rob Lake, hair and wig design by two-time Drama Desk Award winner Charles LaPointe, make-up design by Joe Dulude II, fight direction by Drama Desk Award winner Thomas Schall, with music supervision by Drama Desk Award winner Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by three-time Tony Award winner Doug Besterman, dance & incidental music arrangements by Tony Award nominee Sam Davis, music direction by Ben Cohn, casting by Tara Rubin Casting, production stage management by Rachel Sterner, and general management by 321 Theatrical Management.
Death Becomes Her is produced by Universal Theatrical Group (UTG), overseen by Jimmy Horowitz (Chairman of Business Affairs and Operations, NBCUniversal), and led by Lowe Cunningham (Vice President of Creative Development and Production) who oversees on behalf of UTG.
How to Get Tickets for Death Becomes Her on Broadway
Tickets Death Becomes Her went on sale to the general public beginning Monday, June 3, 2024, at 10AM (EST), and are available at BroadwayDirect.com
The performance schedule is available at DeathBecomesHer.com.
For more information, follow Death Becomes Her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
About Universal Theatrical Group
Universal Theatrical Group (UTG) is the live theater division of the world-famous motion picture studio. UTG, which oversees both Universal Stage Productions and DreamWorks Theatricals, is currently represented by the record-breaking musical phenomenon Wicked, now celebrating its 20th smash-hit year on Broadway. Wicked has been seen by over 60 million people worldwide, making it one of the most successful theatrical ventures of all time. In 2008, Universal's musical adaptation of Billy Elliot opened on Broadway and went on to win ten Tony Awards including Best Musical. Universal also produced the Tony-nominated Broadway productions of Bring It On: The Musical and Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn with Roundabout Theatre Company. DreamWorks Theatricals, which became part of UTG in 2016, was formed to develop live entertainment inspired by the studio's acclaimed library of animated films, including the Tony-winning musical adaptation of Shrek and the West End production of The Prince of Egypt.
