Death Becomes Her

In 1992, Americans were getting prepared for the 25th Olympic Games, which opened in Barcelona, Spain. Bill Clinton was elected the 42nd US President, and Mae Jemison was the first African-American woman in space. That same year, the top movies were Reservoir Dogs, Unforgiven, Aladdin, Scent of a Woman, and A Few Good Men. There was only one movie that received mixed reviews from critics, called Death Becomes Her. An American satirical fantasy comedy film was brought to life by the talented director and producer Robert Zemeckis. The screenplay by David Koepp and Martin Donovan features an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Isabella Rossellini. The storyline revolves around the antics of two women as they vie for the same man's affections and find themselves entangled in the consequences of consuming a magical potion that promises eternal youth. However, this production has garnered a devoted cult following, and it has now been transformed into a promising award-winning musical that's an electrifying experience you don't want to miss. The Pre-Broadway World Premiere of DEATH BECOMES HER is now playing on Broadway in Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre. It is gorgeously witty, exhilarating, and hysterically entertaining, sure to please musical of the year. The self-proclaimed, meretricious actress Madeline Ashton loves the admiration of others, even if the accolades of her fame come from her lips. She enjoys telling others how amazing she is and devilishly taunts her friend, Helen Sharp, the long-suffering author who lives in her shadow. Still, they remain friends until Madeline steals Helen's fiance, Dr. Ernest Menville, a plastic surgeon. She selfishly marries him so she can get free surgeries, sending Helen into a psych ward for mental depression. Helen gets out with the sole purpose of killing Madeline and regaining her man. The once-star attraction, Madeline Ashton, known for her arrogant beauty, cannot stop the aging process of life and soon can't find a job. As her career fades, she learns about Viola Van Horn's magic potion that can reverse her age, restoring her beauty. However, she is warned that she must disappear from the public eye after ten years to avoid suspicion of her immortality and be mindful of treating her body well. But Helen, too, has drunk from the mysterious elixir, reversing her age and becoming even as beautiful as Madeline. Helen begins plotting her revenge by seducing Ernest to kill Madeline and run away with her.

The movie won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. However, the musical production of Death Becomes Her is nothing short of phenomenal. From the breathtaking staging, Derek McLane's scenic Design, Paul Tazewell's amazing costumes, magnificent lighting and sound by Justin Townsend and Peter Hylenski, to the meticulous attention to detail in the illusions and props, from the masterful Illusion Design of Rob Lake, known for the brilliant designs for sold-out tours, for Adele, Disney's Aladdin, Dungeons and Dragons, this show is brilliantly staged and choreographed. It's a gorgeous, witty, entertaining experience that will leave you in awe. The moments when Megan Hilty's character falls from the stairs, portraying a bone-breaking and neck-snapping accident, and when Jennifer Simard's character returns to the stage with the illusion of a gunshot wound in the middle of her body are incredible and add a fascinating magical euphoria moment of animation that exhilarated the audience providing a captivating and thrilling element to the entire production. The 24-member cast features the extraordinarily talented Grammy Award winner singer and actor Michelle Williams, who made a formidable musical and theatrical name for herself outside of her early days as a member of Destiny's Child. Her opening scene performance as Viola Van Horn, "If You Want Perfection," rousingly brought the audience to their feet, starting the show with an electric energy that pulsated throughout the entire production. Christopher Sieber (Spamalot, Company), the aristocratic Doctor and fiance of Helen, turned into a highfalutin plastic surgeon of the stars husband of Madeline Ashton, was as outstanding as Ernest Menville. His performance as Ernest, living in the nightmarish ordeals between Helen and Madeline, appearing utterly helpless and bewildered in the face of two vengeful and unpredictable women, was truly priceless.

Then there's the best of frenemies, two femme fatales of Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, played by Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, respectively. Megan Hilty (Wicked, "Smash") and Jennifer Simard (Company, Disaster!), both Tony Award nominees, delivered an outstanding performance that captivated the audience. Their exceptional on-stage chemistry brought their characters to life, and their clever and quick-witted satire left the audience in stitches. Their musical performances of "Tell Me, Ernest," "Confrontation," and "Alive Forever" were sensational, showcasing their incredible talent that had the audience jumping out of their seats. They should be ready to receive Tony Award nominees for their exceptional, truly unforgettable, and stellar performances. In my humble opinion, Death Becomes Her should receive several nominees for Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Scenic Design in a Musical, Best Costume Design in a Musical, Best. 

The two-act, 22-song production, with a running time of 2 hours 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission, was so spectacular that it almost lost its audience in the second act, as people were soaring so high from act one, they couldn't stop the buzz of excitement during the admission. In the second act, the performance showcased the same electrifying and dazzling display of chemistry between the actors with more stunning scenic designs. The songs "I Warned You," "Hit Me," and "Till Death" added to the overall impressive experience, making it equally unique as the first act. Life's a bitch, and then you die. Or not! I'm here to say that Death Becomes Her is alive and well worth the ticket price. "This musical is an absolute delight, and I can confidently say it's the standout musical of the year! It's a must-see for any music lover."

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cadillac Palace

Death Becomes Her: Musical Comedy REVITALIZED

Book by Marco Pennette

Music & Lyrics by Julia Mattison & Noel Carey

Directed by Christopher Gattelli

April 30 - June 2, 2024

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