I caught the very first preview and really enjoyed it.
The set has been downsized somewhat (painted flats instead of some bigger pieces in the mansion, for example - but the stairs are still there). A few other pieces are now gone (the windows in Madeline's penthouse, the storage units in "Don't Say I Didn't Warn You". It's a smaller ensemble so the staging has changed somewhat to reflect that.
At the top of the show, Viola no longer rises through the pit. As the audience come in, the curtain is partially opened, when the overture begins it's closes before opening again to reveal Viola onstage.
Jackie is great and plays a very different Madeline to Megan. For me, Megan played it (wonderfully) cartoonish whereas Jackie's Madeline felt a bit more cold and flippant. I wouldn't be surprised if as the run went on, her Madeline felt something closer to a Faye Dunaway type!
Kristin Beth Williams is very good, but I had the realization during the first preview that Helen is maybe a trickier role to get right than I had realised. She is not the brassy broad Simard is, which is not a bad thing, I guess I'm just not sure who her Helen is yet. Truthfully, I think she and Jackie both read a little young though not so much that I'd say either were miscast. (I've been keeping a list lately of roles I think are only better when cast with an older actress. For those interested: Roxie in Chicago, Audrey in Little Shop)
I do love how the show veers away from old age lines or grey wigs to denote ageing and instead, "young" is brash and camp with big hair, while "old" is flat hair and conservative clothing.
I read recently on this board someone say Death Becomes Her was just another example of throwing a movie on stage and I couldn't disagree more. I think the creative team did a really fantastic job in making the story feel fresh.
I can see this being a huge hit on tour and oh, what I'd give to see this with the audience that's sure to come out in San Francisco!
