DEATH BECOMES HER Previews — Page 2

My post show thoughts largely echo Jordan’s.

A blast of a show with a rapturous audience.

Hilty and Simard are terrific. Seiber is hilarious too.

Williams doesn’t fully work for me but she got the largest applause. I also don’t think her material is the strongest in the show however and feels like the show is putting her out there because it’s her/wants the character to be bigger than the film.

The wedding bit was funny.

Updated On: 10/23/24 at 11:39 PM

This was very fun. Yes, the songs are mostly mediocre, but they work well enough in the moment. Sieber had a solo in the second act that killed--and I couldn't for the life of me tell you what it sounded like. But it was hilarious. And that was the show. The music was fine/okay/got the job done, but the book and the cast were really, really funny and that more than made it worth it.

Simard and Hilty--pure gold. Sieber had less to work with, but he made the most of what he was given (and that song did kill).

Williams had great presence, and it was clear that most of the audience was there for her, which made up for her not really conveying a/the character of Viola. She was just a beautiful woman serving attitude (but maybe all that's required?) I also didn't think the opening number was that flattering or fit her voice that well. The Act II opener was better.

A few first preview issues to work out. Some of the effects didn't work the way they were intended (i.e. the umbrella), and there was a minor issue with the curtain and Viola's door near the end. I also wasn't sure if it was supposed to be so obvious those were stunt doubles doing the second long Madeline/Helen fight and that was the gag, or if that was something they need to work out. The first big stunt was impressive though.

I had a blast, and for this material, that's all I need?

And yes, a very friendly audience with a lot of theatre folk in the house (and a lot of gays, natch--not surprisingly this was a show where the line for the men's room at intermission was much longer than the women's).

(Speaking of lines, the one to get into the theater was endless. The show also didn't start until 8:15 or later, I'm guessing they were still trying to get everyone in.)

Was the Viola Van Horn card that was handed out in the line and the pin handed out on the way out the swag everyone else got too, or was there more?

Heh. I never make it to first previews, so yeah...after seeing all the reports of other shows, I was hoping for a bag.

I will always advise people to never ever ever sit in the rear orchestra (or even do standing room) at the Lunt. The entire show all you hear is the staff running around talking LOUDLY to each other, like there isn't a show going on. It's been like that ever since I can remember and I'll never understand.

Jordan, is Seiber’s act 2 song the same as the one in Chicago? To me it was a clunker that he sold very well. But someone said he’s killing it so maybe they changed it some.

starlightlocamotion said: "Wishing the show so much success ... but I truly think it will be gone by next summer."

Baseless theories like this always make me laugh. Reminds me of the Gatsby comments.

I was the for the first preview, and I was blown away. Firstly, I was THE MICHELLE FAN! Yes, when she first rose from thr stage I was thr one who got up and started the clapping and screaming. I refuse to apologize ahahaha. The majority of the people I've seen in here seem to be unhappy with her since Chicago. Michelle objectively does what shes there to do very well, which is singing. 90% of her material is song. Aside from that, she has paid her dues and is an acclaimed stage star in addition to her recording career. She predates Hilty and Simard in terms of being on Broadway, and the woman was doing national tours which someone of her caliber usually wouldn't do. She's worked hard in the theater and deserves flowers. Also, just like Simard, it's nice to here two distinct voices. We here a lot of the same cookie cutter type of voices.

Hilty, Simard, and Sieber did well. Like most shows i feel it's too difficult to say how good the performance is until atleast 3 months.

I don't know what they did in Chicago, but this first preview was pretty tight. I could see a few places I wanted to cut. One of the things I know won't change is "Sempre Viva" which I found to be dragging and uninteresting. The reprise of it though is nice. (Michelle sang it well, and looked stunning doing it.)

I feel awful saying it, but I didn't care for the the actor who played the butler, and the part isn't integral to the plot.

As mentioned before the only actual song I can remember is the opener. Other than that it was just serviceable songs which were good enough because these woman are squeezing as much comedy as they possibly can out of them.

The actor who played the long suffering assistant was exquisite. It seems the character is part of thd ensemble which is upsetting.

Im not sure why but I thought Cristopher Sieber played an elderly man very well.

Lastly, whoever said it will be gone by summer is goofy af. This show is objectively good and will be even better after previews.

P.S.- We were hearing that the long line was due to Bey coming first and getting situated. The validity of that I wouldn't know. In my mind it would make sense because all the girls are very supportive of eachother.

The largest set piece in Chicago was Madeline’s staircase. There was another location that only appeared for one song. The rest involved curtains, couches and columns.

Updated On: 10/24/24 at 06:58 AM

I took a video of the curtain call. The file name says it was 10:47.

Can anyone who was there comment on merch? I thought I saw a picture of a sparkly purple tumbler type mug, but now cannot find it. Nothing on the website yet. Looking forward to this in a few weeks!

Robbie2 said: "pablitonizer said: "3 songs have been officially released!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMOxvkhXRgEdFwsqaVHOQQcUiQmTh2yBj&si=ISt_NZzNq-tIpS0K"

Just listened - I hope those are not the best songs because they are all disappointing and simply terrible! Why those 3 released?"

These songs didn't do much for me either. Serviceable. They went in one ear and out the other.