Universal Theatrical Group announced on Wednesday that the musical adaptation of "Death Becomes Her" will debut on Broadway, with previews starting October 23 and an official opening on November 21 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in Midtown Manhattan.
Directed and choreographed by Tony winner Christopher Gattelli, the production involves writer Marco Pennette and composers Julia Mattison and Noel Carey. The 1992 film directed by Robert Zemeckis, which starred Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, and Goldie Hawn, is the basis for this new stage adaptation. The musical opened at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago two weeks ago and is scheduled to run there until June 2 before moving to New York.
In the musical, Grammy-winner Michelle Williams portrays the character Viola Van Horn, a variation of Isabella Rossellini's role in the film. Megan Hilty stars as Madeline Ashton, while Jennifer Simard plays Helen Sharp. Christopher Sieber portrays Ernest Menville.
The film, known for its groundbreaking visual effects by Industrial Light and Magic, was a box office success, grossing $149 million globally despite mixed reviews. Rob Lake is tasked with recreating these effects for the stage adaptation.
The teaser for the musical mirrors the opening of the film with a rainy New York night on Broadway. In a new disco-inspired number, Madeline sings "I See Me" while starring in "Songbird!", a fictional Broadway musical adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play "Sweet Bird of Youth".