Broadway in Chicago presents the Pre-Broadway, World Premiere of DEATH BECOMES HER.
DEATH becomes… all of hers and him. This killer cast is da bomb! Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty (Madeline), Jennifer Simard (Helen), and Christopher Sieber (Ernest) plus Grammy Award-winning and Destiny’s Child alum Michelle Williams (Viola) put on quite the show. This wickedly funny musical has childhood rivals, Hilty and Simard, in a heated competition for a guy, for beauty, for…ever. They want it all and will get it dead or alive.
The creative team of Marco Pennette (book), Julia Pattison (music and lyrics), and Noel Carey (music and lyrics) transform the 1992 cult classic film, starring Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep, into a scintillating blockbuster musical. Every word spoken or sung is dripping with satire and delivered with comedy perfection by this superb cast.
A majestic Williams kicks off the show with panache. She establishes the hilarious tone with a deliciously diva presence and deadly zingers. Then, in her opening number, an effervescent Hilty playfully sings about ‘anything for the gays.’ The contrast between Williams’ otherworld elegance and Hilty’s cheeky showbiz world adds to the fun. Later, Hilty will showcase her comedic timing precision with a song riddled with sexual innuendos. In this fierce female trifecta, sharp-witted Simard adds several layers of absurdity going from real world ordinariness to obsessive unhinged to aggressive sexpot to droll grandeur. Hysterical!
And these women aren’t just funny, they can sing. All these ladies belt out tunes beautifully. Even though the women own this show – and won’t let him forget it, Sieber has plenty of humorous lines and his own tribute song as plastic surgeon to the stars.
Director and Choreographer Christopher Gattelli paces this dynamically. Scenes seamlessly transition from celebrity home to secret lair with the effective use of a shimmering goth-style curtain (Derek McLane-scenic design, Justin Townsend-lighting design). The action, much like the laughing, is non-stop. In the first musical number, the ensemble is an ensemble in Madeline’s show. They sparkle in rainbow-glitter and ostrich feathers (Paul Tazewell-costume design). During the energetic dancing, Hilty has multiple and clever wardrobe changes in this high glitz opener. Later, Galletti completely changes the tone of the dancing. He has Williams’ dominions scantly clad in flesh-colored leotards with modesty ribbons and sparkles strategically located. They captivate moving in sensual harmony. Exquisite!
DEATH BECOMES HER is becoming a hit! First, here in Chicago and later on Broadway. And I didn’t even describe the hilarious showstopper, when Hilty’s stunt double falls down the stairs, it’s riotous! This premiere is enjoyment personified!
Running Time: Two hours and thirty minutes includes an intermission
At Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph
Based on the Universal Pictures film written by Martin Donovan & David Koepp
Book by Marco Pennette
Music and lyrics by Julia Pattison and Noel Carey
Music supervised by Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2 p.m.
Thru June 2nd
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago