Ah screen to stage. At this point in the game it’s either done right or a big mess. There’s no way around it.
Death Becomes Her is the stage adaptation of the classic 1992 film. Combining elements of comedy, horror and fantasy with a Hollywood backdrop. This is just one of those movies that screams “put it on stage”. The movie literally begins with a Broadway musical.
The show began development in 2017. After workshops and a tryout in Chicago the show opened on Broadway in November of 2024. The musical tells the story of two frenimies, actress Madeleine Ashton and writer Helen Sharp. They cat fight over almost everything fame, men, age. Their rivalry comes to a head when a mysterious potion, promising youth and beauty comes to play.
Before we go any further I would like to stress something, WATCH THE MOVIE! Or half of this will go right over your head. There was a gentleman sitting behind me that regretted it at intermission. Can you enjoy the show without seeing the film? of course! Do I suggest that , no! It’s just a funner experience, you’re more in on the joke.
So what parts of the show are full of youth and beauty. And what needs to be pushed down a flight of stairs!
Updating to present day. The original film took place in the late 70s and (at the time present) early 90s. The show is moved to present day. But it’s done very subtle. It works flawlessly. I even heard of one joke being updated nightly. If this is true. It’s genius. It keeps the show fresh. And keeps the audience on their toes.
Taking tiny moments and making them into numbers or scenes. This happens a lot with adaptations, but here it works beautiful. For example in the film Madeline’s wedding is only a couple of seconds long. In the musical, it’s a full production number. A full production number that she is aware of, hilarious.
Megan Hilty as Madeline Ashton. The second she enters she is at diva level 10. And she pretty much dosent stop the whole show. She is a cartoon character, and we are along for the ride. Megan’s timing left the audience in stitches. You begin to forgive all of Madeline’s antics because of Megan’s delivery. At the same time she was able to show Madeline’s determined and fame hungry demeanor. For me Megan steals the show.
The costumes. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a show where the costumes get entrance applause. There’s even a lyric about making a costume change! Paul Tazewell’s costumes are sparkly, sexy and just stunning. I could see most of these outfits on a runway or in a Las Vegas spectacle.
It’s self aware. Your seeing Death Becomes Her. A story about two women who took a potion to stay young. And it’s a musical! This isn’t Shakespeare. You can tell the writers are fans of the film. But also they are also having fun. And it really shows.
The stage effects. We all know it’s more than magic. But it’s all done well with a little wink to the audience. There’s nothing revolutionary here but it’s all seamless and smooth. Again it’s all in fun. And again SEE THE MOVIE!
It felt like a live remake of the film. All in a good way. A remake of the film is just blasphemous. So a stage version just makes more sense and just works. It’s puts things back in the stage version that were cut from the movie. At the same time it’s modernized just enough. A perfect balance.
So what is my opinion of Death Becomes Her? This is how you do a screen to stage adaptation! It’s been a long time since a show got it right! This is a crowd pleaser. It’s fun, hilarious, mysterious and just plain silly. If you love the movie, I promise everything you want is there and more. If you love theatre and want a night out with two fabulous broads, see this!
Siempre Viva!
Death Becomes Her is playing on broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne theater
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