DEATH BECOMES HER Reviews — Page 17

I'm wondering -- do you think that they (Megan/Jennifer) have it in their contracts that a public appearance/TV show counts as a performance? It would be a smart move to avoid being overworked during the awards season by running from all these promo appearances and dragging themselves through 8 shows a week and exhausting themselves in the process. Originally, they may have thought they could cover it with understudies but when the show went viral on TikTok and more was demanded of them, they knew they had to get Dee as a s/b to cover more.

Baloney. It has nothing to do with that. These are not hard parts to sing.

ColdClimateDude said: "I'm wondering -- do you think that they (Megan/Jennifer) have it in their contracts that a public appearance/TV show counts as a performance? It would be a smart move to avoid being overworked during the awards season by running from all these promo appearances and dragging themselves through 8 shows a week and exhausting themselves in the process.

No, that's not a "thing" with the Equity/Broadway League Production Contract. Nothing other than a performance counts as a performance.

Sieber was still out tonight but Hilty & Simard were back.

i'd still bet money that after the Tony Awards, Dee Roscioli ends up as the Madeline alternate and does Wed & Sat matinees.

Hi everyone –

This is my very first BroadwayWorld chat post, so go easy on me! I'm here to keep things positive and (hopefully) help move the conversation forward.

I’ve been following many of the threads here, but the one that’s really grabbed my attention is the discussion around "Death Becomes Her." I’m a big fan of the show — it’s full of joy and theatrical flair, and frankly, I think we could all use more of that right now.

I wanted to share a few thoughts, especially about the ongoing absences. Just to be clear: I have no insider info — these are just my own observations and opinions.

From the outside, it looks like Megan and Jennifer are on a mostly six-performance-a-week schedule. The show is a beast for both of them and between that and the demands of press, pre-Tonys, and other commitments, six shows a week seems like a smart and sustainable choice. Whether that should be officially communicated by the production is another question.

Someone on here mentioned that the show isn’t any harder than "Wicked" and I have to disagree. From what I can tell, there’s barely a moment of downtime for either lead. On top of that, "Wicked" tends to cast younger performers — and that’s not a knock on age, just an observation. Megan and Jennifer are veterans, not fresh out of college, and they’re carrying A LOT of weight up there.

On the topic of covers: while I haven’t seen Dee Roscioli in other roles, I’ve now seen her twice in "Death Becomes Her" and, for me, she hasn’t quite clicked in this part. Megan brings such drive and fearlessness to the stage and you never catch her working. Dee, on the other hand, hasn’t quite carved out a fully realized character, she's not "big" enough and many of the punchlines just don’t land (which surprised me, given her strong buzz in "Titanique".

And finally, a quick note on Robyn Hurder. She’s undeniably talented. She’s got the voice and the dance chops, no question — but I think we might be underestimating just how tough these "DBH" lead roles are. Honestly, she was great in "Smash," but I didn’t see anything that a number of other top-tier performers couldn’t also have delivered. Meanwhile, finding someone who can realistically step into "Death Becomes Her" and truly own one of those lead roles? That’s a much taller order.

Anyway, those are my two cents. Hopefully this sparks some good conversation and not a brawl! (Kidding. Sort of.)

Updated On: 5/15/25 at 12:25 PM

HaveAGoodShow said: "Hi everyone –

This is my very first BroadwayWorld chat post, so go easy on me! I'm here to keep things positive and (hopefully) help move the conversation forward.

I’ve been following many of the threads here, but the one that’s really grabbed my attention is the discussion around "Death Becomes Her."I’m a big fan of the show — it’s full of joy and theatrical flair, and frankly, I think we could all use more of that right now.

I wanted to share a few thoughts, especially about the ongoing absences. Just to be clear: I have no insider info — these are just my own observations and opinions.

From the outside, it looks like Megan and Jennifer are on a mostly six-performance-a-week schedule. The show is a beast for both of them and between that and the demands of press, pre-Tonys, and other commitments, six shows a week seems like a smart and sustainable choice. Whether that should be officially communicated by the production is another question.

Someone on here mentioned that the show isn’t any harder than "Wicked"and I have to disagree. From what I can tell, there’s barely a moment of downtime for either lead. On top of that, "Wicked"tends to cast younger performers — and that’s not a knock on age, just an observation. Megan and Jennifer are veterans, not fresh out of college, and they’re carrying A LOT of weight up there.

On the topic of covers: while I haven’t seen Dee Roscioli in other roles, I’ve now seen her twice in "Death Becomes Her"and, for me, she hasn’t quite clicked in this part. Megan brings such drive and fearlessness to the stage and you never catch her working. Dee, on the other hand, hasn’t quite carved out a fully realized character, she's not "big" enough and many of the punchlines just don’t land (which surprised me, given her strong buzz in "Titanique".

And finally, a quick note on Robyn Hurder. She’s undeniably talented. She’s got the voice and the dance chops, no question — but I think we might be underestimating just how tough these "DBH" lead roles are. Honestly, she was great in "Smash," but I didn’t see anything that a number of other top-tier performers couldn’t also have delivered. Meanwhile, finding someone who can realistically step into "Death Becomes Her"and truly own one of those lead roles? That’s a much taller order.

Anyway, those are my two cents. Hopefully this sparks some good conversation and not a brawl! (Kidding. Sort of.)"

It takes a lot of talent to make something look as effortless as these women do, as you well articulated. I feel like they are working with longevity here. You're right, these are sage professionals who know what they're doing and how to maintain it longterm. Ensemble included, this cast has been around a long time. (Michelle Williams did AIDA!) No one involved has a history of bad work ethic. This board seems to be trying to make a conflict here.

I don’t have the clip at the ready, but Megan was very recently talking to a reporter about how serious of a beast this show is for them and that they are taking it day-by-day, listening to their bodies and instruments to navigate a schedule.

Let’s be clear, they have done a couple appearances on days they were out, but the vast majority of their absences, this has not been the case. They very well may have the bandwidth and capacity for a photo op and short interviews but not an entire 2.5 hour performance, which is understandable as those are two completely different demands physically and mentally.

I know, I know, “Ethel Merman never called out”, Carol Channing, Patti LuPone, etc. We’re not talking about those rare exceptions, we’re talking about performers in the year of 2025. People are no longer risking their overall wellbeing, personal life and relationships for a paycheck, there is a balance. Not to mention that Megan is a mother of two and Jennifer is in her mid-50s.

The understudies are more than capable performers in their own right. Are they Jennifer and Megan? No, but that was never promised. Neither is above the title.

Updated On: 5/15/25 at 04:14 PM

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "
The understudies are more than capable performers in their own right. Are they Jennifer and Megan? No, but that was never promised. Neither is above the title."

They're not above the title but they are the key art and the faces of the production.

feels like I repeat myself about this once a week. but Hilty & Simard should have had Dee Roscioli on & ready as a standby by opening night. they had to know during the Chicago run how demanding both roles would be.

Kad said: "GiantsInTheSky2 said: "
The understudies are more than capable performers in their own right. Are they Jennifer and Megan? No, but that was never promised. Neither is above the title."

They're not above the title but they are the key art and the faces of the production."

As are the casts of Moulin Rouge and Great Gatsby. What’s your point? You still get a full performance of the Broadway production, which is what you are paying for as neither actor is above the title. This isn’t a Tituss situation where he literally is billed above the title and the box office isn’t allowing refunds (which they eventually reversed after being called out for the mistake).

Some of you guys have been on this board for twenty years. There have been performers used in key art(s) long after they left a production. There are actors who are “the face” of the show and doing press, but are not above the title. We understand what this means in terms of guaranteed performances or refund. Why are we acting brand new?

Nope, they are absolutely above the title, nothing has changed.

"This is my first time above the title, and it’s a responsibility I take seriously." - Jennifer Simard

GiantsInTheSky2 said: Neither is above the title."

Oops! Lolz

Updated On: 5/16/25 at 07:24 PM

What Kad said. That is it. That is where the frustration and speculation comes from.