The darkly comedic film "Death Becomes Her" is slated to hit the stage in a new musical adaptation, heading directly to Broadway this fall following its successful run in Chicago. The show, produced by Universal Theatrical Group, is expected to begin performances in New York on Nov. 21 at the famed Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The comedic romp through Immortality stars the Tony-nominated pair, Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard. Christopher Sieber and Destiny's Child alum Michelle Williams join them, adding to a star-lined roster sure to draw crowds. As per the Chicago Sun-Times, Williams, thrilled to be performing again in Chicago, describes her role as "a light lift but at the same time I have to be powerful, I have to be present for those four scenes as they are some of the most riveting moments in the show."
With music and lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, and a book written by Marco Pennette, the musical originates from the 1992 cult hit directed by Robert Zemeckis. Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli serves as director and choreographer, emphasizing that the stage version “keeps the best parts [of the movie] and reimagines them in a really exciting way,” which he explained in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.
Mattison and Carey's score features about 20 songs that seek to preserve the film's balance of black comedy and light-hearted lunacy. Jennifer Simard lauded the music as her favorite part of the production. She waxed, “Julie and Noel have taken the source material and run with it in a way that is surprising, and delicious.”
