Death Becomes Her is campy fun tailor made for 'the gaze'
Death Becomes Her
THEATRE REVIEW
By Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
THEATRE REVIEW
By Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
Death Becomes Her is about to become one of the most talked about musicals on stage. Out of all the shows I’ve ever seen in Chicago, on Broadway, The West End or anywhere, this is the only show where an audience gave a standing ovation during the second song. You know a show is delivering to their core audience, when this big of a reaction takes place less than 10 minutes into the show. This iconic moment and honor goes to Megan Hilty and the tune For the Gaze. Yes, there are extra layers to that song and yes it’s gay, gay gay! No spoilers, but if you’re an LGBTQ fan of the film, then this song is dedicated to you.
photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago
The show is currently in Chicago for a Pre-Broadway run before it moves to NYC this fall. The stellar cast of Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber and Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams bring a fresh new hilarious take on the 1992 cult classic. The musical stays true to the film, with the camp level put into overdrive.
Death Becomes Her is the best Pre-Broadway show that I’ve ever seen in Chicago. Boop! The Musical which premiered here in the winter of 2023, is a close second. Let's chat about the songs in the show and how they move this story along. Outside of jukebox musicals, it’s tough to find new musical theater songs that will resonate with audiences. Each one of these songs is about to become legendary, as they all got a strong reaction from the audience with their hilarious delivery and lyrics.
Death Becomes Her is the best Pre-Broadway show that I’ve ever seen in Chicago. Boop! The Musical which premiered here in the winter of 2023, is a close second. Let's chat about the songs in the show and how they move this story along. Outside of jukebox musicals, it’s tough to find new musical theater songs that will resonate with audiences. Each one of these songs is about to become legendary, as they all got a strong reaction from the audience with their hilarious delivery and lyrics.
photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago
Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard are both Broadway stars and although they’ve never worked together on stage, their chemistry is perfect. The two stars dazzle as Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, whose frenemy relationship knows no bounds in life or death. When it comes to Ernest Menville (Christopher Sieber) he’s humble, strong, vulnerable and honest all at the same time. If you wonder why he and Jennifer Simard have such great chemistry together, they were both recently part of the Tony-Award winning revival of Company. Most fans also know Michelle Williams as one third of Destiny's Child, and her vocals bring down the house and the Chicagoland native also gets lots of love from the audience.
While Death Becomes Her remains mostly true to the film, there are also some fun twists and surprises. There are iconic moments in the fights between Helen and Madeline, and Madeline’s fall down the stairs is one of the best scenes of the show. There’s also the scene where Madeline shoots a hole through Helen, and that’s the only moment that fell flat for me. The show is so fun, so camp, so hilarious that it’s tough to watch one of the most iconic scenes fall almost flat. I hope they change it up or add a ridiculous element to give this moment the attention it deserves.
While Death Becomes Her remains mostly true to the film, there are also some fun twists and surprises. There are iconic moments in the fights between Helen and Madeline, and Madeline’s fall down the stairs is one of the best scenes of the show. There’s also the scene where Madeline shoots a hole through Helen, and that’s the only moment that fell flat for me. The show is so fun, so camp, so hilarious that it’s tough to watch one of the most iconic scenes fall almost flat. I hope they change it up or add a ridiculous element to give this moment the attention it deserves.
4 stars (out of four)
Death Becomes Her
Now Playing through June 2
Cadillac Palace Theatre
Broadway in Chicago
151 West Randolph
Chicago, Illinois
www.broadwayinchicago.org
Death Becomes Her
Now Playing through June 2
Cadillac Palace Theatre
Broadway in Chicago
151 West Randolph
Chicago, Illinois
www.broadwayinchicago.org