Death Becomes Her Musical Will Open on Broadway This Fall Starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard

The new stage musical adaptation of Death Becomes Her, which is currently making its world premiere at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, will arrive on Broadway in the fall.

Previews will begin October 23 prior to an official opening November 21 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, most recently the home of the hit revival of Sweeney Todd.

Tony nominees Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, who star in the Chicago production, will again lead the cast as Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, respectively. They play fierce rivals who take a magic potion to obtain eternal youth only to find it has some gnarly side effects.

Tony nominee Christopher Sieber (Spamalot, Company) and Grammy winner Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child, Chicago) will also reprise their performances as, respectively, Ernest Menville and Viola Van Horn. Additional casting will be announced.

Directed and choreographed by Tony winner Christopher Gattelli, Death Becomes Her features a book by Marco Pennette and an original score by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey. The Chicago production will officially open May 19 for a limited engagement through June 2.

Based on the 1992 Universal Pictures film, the new musical also features scenic design by Tony winner Derek McLane, costume design by Tony winner Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Tony winner Justin Townsend, sound design by Tony winner Peter Hylenski, illusions by Rob Lake, hair and wig design by Drama Desk winner Charles LaPointe, make-up design by Joe Dulude II, fight direction by Drama Desk winner Thomas Schall, music supervision by Drama Desk winner Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by Tony winner Doug Besterman, dance and incidental music arrangements by Tony nominee Sam Davis, music direction by Ben Cohn, casting by Tara Rubin Casting, production stage management by Rachel Sterner, and general management by 321 Theatrical Management.

The original film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Martin Donovan and David Koepp, starred Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. It was an early pioneer in using CGI to achieve its special effects, which include Streep's head turned completely backwards and a gaping hole in Hawn's stomach. The film also featured a Playbill in its first scene. The musical adaptation has been in the works since at least 2017, when Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth was attached to star. Chenoweth's involvement pre-dates the current creative team.

Press notes describe the current musical as such: "Madeline Ashton is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Helen Sharp is the long-suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies… until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that’s to die for."

Death Becomes Her is produced by Universal Theatrical Group, overseen by Jimmy Horowitz, and led by Chris Herzberger. UTG Vice President of Creative Development and Production Lowe Cunningham oversees on behalf of UTG.

Tickets for the Broadway production are currently on sale exclusively for American Express Card Members through May 28 at 9:59 AM ET, at BroadwayDirect.com. Presale tickets will be available to Audience Rewards members from May 28 at 10 AM ET through May 31 at 9:59 AM ET at AudienceRewards.com. An exclusive fan presale, made available to all registered fans at DeathBecomesHer.com, will begin May 31 at 10 AM ET.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public June 3 at 10 AM at BroadwayDirect.com.