Death Becomes Her review

Death Becomes Her Review - Broadway musical

Review: Death Becomes Her: The Musical Is a Wickedly Campy Spectacle.

The Broadway adaptation of Death Becomes Her takes the cult-classic 1992 film and injects it with high-octane theatricality, wicked humor, and powerhouse performances. Directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, with a book by Marco Pennette and a deliciously playful score by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, the show embraces the outrageousness of its source material while carving out its own Broadway-sized identity.

A Cast to Die For.

Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard lead the charge as Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, and their comedic chemistry is electric. Hilty, already a Broadway favorite, fully leans into Madeline’s diva antics, belting her way through numbers like “For the Gaze” with stunning vocals and razor-sharp comedic timing. Simard’s Helen is the perfect foil—her transformation from a frumpy underdog to a vengeful bombshell is both hilarious and eerily captivating.

Christopher Sieber, as the hapless Ernest Menville, delivers a performance filled with desperate charm and slapstick precision, while Michelle Williams, stepping into the role of the mysterious Viola Van Horn (a reinvention of Lisle von Rhuman from the film), brings a sultry, ethereal presence that keeps the audience guessing.

The Music: A Killer Score.

Mattison and Carey’s score is as campy and self-aware as the story itself. Numbers like “Tell Me, Ernest” blend sharp wit with Broadway bravado, while “Siempre Viva” gives Viola’s potion an ominous, show-stopping moment. “Hit Me” turns a physical brawl into a high-energy duet that brings down the house. While some songs lean more into spectacle than melody, the score overall delivers the punchy, show-stopping moments expected from a big-budget musical.

Spectacle and Style.

Visually, Death Becomes Her is a feast. Derek McLane’s set design seamlessly shifts between high-society glamor and supernatural eeriness, while Paul Tazewell’s costumes are a dazzling mix of old Hollywood elegance and macabre decadence. The special effects—particularly the illusions by Rob Lake—are jaw-dropping, bringing the story’s darkly comedic body horror to life. Seeing Madeline and Helen’s immortal injuries play out on stage is both gruesome and hilarious, a testament to the show’s commitment to practical theatrical magic.

A Few Wrinkles in the Potion.

While the show is undeniably entertaining, its pacing occasionally falters. Act One is tight and engaging, but Act Two leans heavily on spectacle, sometimes at the expense of emotional payoff. Some deeper themes from the film—like the true cost of vanity and the hollowness of eternal youth—are hinted at but never fully explored. Still, the show never pretends to be anything other than a gleeful, over-the-top romp.

The Verdict: A Broadway Delight.

Death Becomes Her isn’t trying to be a profound, life-changing musical. It’s a campy, dazzling spectacle with powerhouse performances and infectious energy. Fans of the original film will revel in its witty nods and theatrical twists, while newcomers will be swept up in the sheer fun of it all. It’s big, brash, and utterly ridiculous—in the best way possible.

Final Score: **** (4/5) A wickedly fun Broadway spectacle that proves some things really do last forever.
Last Update:March, 18th 2025