DEATH BECOMES HER Reviews - Page 12

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 7:45pm

The issue with understudies.org is that they rely on others not affiliated with a show to submit the info. More than likely people submit info based on an actor posting on social media if they're out or if an understudy is on. It's not the individual shows that submit it. Also, notice how certain shows never have anyone listed(Wicked, Aladdin, Hamilton, Lion King) on there despite always having covers and swings on. I think the site would be best off if they connected with each individual show to post understudies to be more accurate.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 8:08pm

I don’t think the number of quick changes or not leaving the stage for almost two hours is a justification for a leading actor calling out with regularity. If they are having difficulty with the demands of the show then conversations need to happen about alternates. Even during rehearsals or previews. This allows everyone a better experience-both actor and audience. 

Also, I don’t think it’s accurate to say most people don’t notice. I think most do notice. Both women are billed in huge  placards on the front of the theater. People who see understudy slips are disappointed because they know they aren’t getting the star performance. They know they aren’t seeing the women posted outside. 
 

It’s not entitlement either. It’s normal for someone to feel some disappointment. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 9:12pm

Odds are the producers are going to hope Hilty & Simard can stick it out through the Tony Awards in the hope of getting one or two awards. Then they'll opt to move Dee Roscioli into doing two shows a week as Madeline(the more physically demanding role).

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 9:27pm

Exactly, Dame. Megan is never in NYC anymore due to her living in LA. It was a HUGE deal for her to come back to do a musical on Broadway 15 years later. People come for her, they look forward to seeing her so people have every right to be disappointed.

Megan Hilty almost never leaves the stage in this show, and when she is, she's changing costumes, so I fully understand her calling out.

So, she never read the script and had no idea the demands of this role when they started previews? Yeah no. Don't take a role if you can't handle it. 

Updated On: 4/10/25 at 09:27 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 9:37pm

Sutton Ross said: "So, she never read the script and had no idea the demands of this role when they started previews? Yeah no. Don't take a role if you can't handle it."

Well she didnt just fall into this role during previews and given how long things took to get into motion (more swings, how long it took the understudies to get actual costumes and not gowns pulled from a department store with stones applied to them) that the producers are holding purse strings pretty tight. Like it took them this long to even get a standby and she's still not stage ready yet. I think the targets should be placed on the producers more so than the actors doing their jobs. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 9:42pm

this show should have had a standby available by opening night if both roles are that demanding on Hilty & Simard. Not waiting 6 months to hire someone.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 10:04pm

^ Thank you, this isn't some basement theater in the middle of nowhere. Broadway is the most famous theater district in the world, with some of the most talented people in the world. The prices reflect that. So, be better or be replaced, that should be the rule. I'm shocked she signed on for a year.

People blaming the producers and cheap dresses for an actors' poor attendance is wild. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 4/10/25 at 10:31pm

I think its a little ridiculous to basically just label Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard as lazy Slackers as opposed to 20+ year Broadway veterans.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 1:39pm

It's also fascinating to see certain posters who are the first to scream "misogyny," and would certainly do so if anyone else were making the comments, going after two actresses so vehemently.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 5:22pm

Both again tonight’?

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 5:31pm

MemorableUserName said: "It's also fascinating to see certain posters who are the first to scream "misogyny," and would certainly do so if anyone else were making the comments, going after two actresses so vehemently."

Its a particularly bizarre dose of hostility since weve had so many instances where these posters were outraged at anyone pointing out serious systemic absences. Lindsay Mendez, for surely valid reasons, missed WEEKS of shows at a time, and at one point I think was just doing half the performances, without any notice from the producers, any warning, and the response HERE was that it was outrageous to question her (though all anyone was doing was criticizing the way the production was handling it).

No one has any reason to believe Hilty or Simard are anything less than consummate professionals doing their best. Are they even above title? Get a grip everyone.

[Bette's Turban]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 5:33pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "MemorableUserName said: "It's also fascinating to see certain posters who are the first to scream "misogyny," and would certainly do so if anyone else were making the comments, going after two actresses so vehemently."

Its a particularly bizarre dose of hostility since weve had so many instances where these posters were outraged at anyone pointing out serious systemic absences. Lindsay Mendez, for surely valid reasons, missed WEEKS of shows at a time, and at one point I think was just doing half the performances, without any notice from the producers, any warning, and the response HERE was that it was outrageous to question her (though all anyone was doing was criticizing the way the production was handling it).

No one has any reason to believe Hilty or Simard are anything less than consummate professionals doing their best. Are they even above title? Get a grip everyone."

But clearly something is going on.  And in this day of age of social media .. a effort in transparency'would go a long way.

Updated On: 4/11/25 at 05:33 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 8:00pm

Bette's Turban said: "Both again tonight’?"

It doesn't look like anyone's out tonight.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 9:55pm

there's this IG fan page that always posts when an understudy is on.

 

https://www.instagram.com/deathbecomeshersource/

[DAME]

Posted: 4/11/25 at 10:51pm

This show is marvelous.  Musical comedy is alive!  I’ll be seeing this again.