DEATH BECOMES HER Reviews - Page 5

[Natalie Ellis]

Posted: 1/19/25 at 10:46pm

Hi there. No shows have been canceled this weekend and Michelle Williams has only missed two shows and that was weeks ago. Not sure where you’re getting your info. Just wanted to share that with you. 
 

Broadway schedules are insane. Press and holidays and having opened just before thanksgiving so coverage would not assist them not being at the show. I’m not quite sure what you wanting here. 
 

As a cast member of this show I felt like I needed to reply. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 12:00am

ACL2006 said: "honeslty surprised they haven't added more swings for this show yet. Megan was once again out this weekend and Simard was out tonight. Plus Michelle Williams has been out lately for a few shows. Please add more coverage already!!"

The weekend shows all went on as scheduled, so what would more coverage have done?

eta: Or what Ms. Ellis said. ⬆️

Updated On: 1/20/25 at 12:00 AM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 1:01pm

ElephantLoveMedley said: "Sorry if I missed this from any earlier posts, but does anyone know of prescheduled vacation dates for either of the two leading ladies? My in-laws want to come see the show and I'd like to make sure I don't buy tickets fora date that Hilty or Simard will definitely be out (obviously barring any illness or injury)."

I haven't seen any announced planned absences. There's nothing on either website.

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 1:23pm

I went again last night and was actually elated to get Kaleigh AND Natalie on as the leads.

While it took me a while to warm up to Natalie because Jennifer Simard is so singular that it’s a double-edged sword for her to hew close to the character, but not be a carbon copy, by Act II, she was in full control and on par with Simard.

I actually found Kaleigh Cronin to be more credible as an older actress than Megan Hilty, despite being 8 years younger. Hilty is great and has a lot of very broad musical comedy affectations, but Cronin seemed to dial that back and lean more into the dry self-absorbed vanity that gave Meryl’s character some bite.

A funny moment from last night. At the end, as they when Madeline says “What are we doing tomorrow?”, Helen ad-libs, “I don’t know. Download our TikTok videos?” and the audience near me HOWLED.

Also, I take back any substantive praise I had for Michelle Williams. Despite having a handful of big sexy numbers, gorgeous gowns, and not much choreography (basically the most fabulous princess track one could have), she was truly giving little last night. The vocals were there, but she wasn’t really moving with any purpose and even from the back of the orchestra, she just looked dead behind the eyes.  My friend and I (who have each seen it a few times now) were not happy and would’ve rather seen her understudy (Ximone Rose, who we saw as Rafaela in LEMPICKA) go on instead.

If she’s gonna phone it in this early in the run, then maybe Broadway isn’t really her destiny, child…

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 1:31pm

quizking101 said: "
If she’s gonna phone it in this early in the run, then maybe Broadway isn’t really her destiny, child…"

Thats the crazy thing, because this is far from her first rodeo at this. Ive never seen her in anything prior, but was she always like this? Was she directed to be like this? Now that it's an established THING that doesn't need to be workshopped they can stunt cast someone who gives a little more than this. Like it's an ace for any vocalist with charisma.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 2:45pm

You have described the performance Michelle Williams has been giving all along, I think. I mean....is she a good actress? I would not call her such. She is an exceptional singer and has a certain amount of stage presence, and this role has been tailored to her strengths. Viola is asked to say comparatively little in the way of dialogue, and to my understanding they actually gave a number of her lines to members of the ensemble during the Chicago run. She generally is asked to make high-impact entrances in fabulous costumes and sing her face off. And these are two things in Michelle's wheelhouse, and so it works. I wouldn't want to see her as Mamma Rose, but she's used well in this show. I would be interested to see her role performed with someone who is more of an singing actor rather than just someone who serves Diva, but I also think this would be a FASCINATING role to retool for a drag performer like Monet X Change. I haven't seen the show since November so obviously, I can't testify to her current level of dead behind the eyes, but from what I'm hearing, this is kind of what it's always been. 

 

I'll add that after hearing her screlt out "Siempre Viva", I turned to my wife and whispered "okay, I feel bad about making all the Michelle Williams jokes now." If nothing else, she does sing the ever-loving crap out of that song. 

Updated On: 1/20/25 at 02:45 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 2:52pm

Who told anyone in Destiny's Child they could act? 

[BentleyB]

Posted: 1/20/25 at 4:01pm

We saw seven shows last week and this was one I was really looking forward to.  I found it so mediocre after the first two numbers.  It seemed by the second act that it had lost its way and did not know how to end. I would have also cut about most of Michelle Williams’s numbers, truly not an actress at all. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 12:30pm

Simard and Sieber appeared on the Today Show this morning and performed "That Was Then, This Is Now":

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Video-DEATH-BECOMES-HER-Cast-Performs-That-Was-Then-This-is-Now-on-TODAY-20250121

[inception]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 3:04pm

Sutton Ross said: "Who told anyone in Destiny's Child they could act?"

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 3:31pm

inception said: "Sutton Ross said: "Who told anyone in Destiny's Child they could act?"

"

All I see is Nathan Lane in this GIF.

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 5:08pm

Based on an email I got at 4pm today for a 7pm performance, Kaleigh Cronin will be going on for Megan Hilty tonight. 

[CJRochester]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 5:29pm

I received the same email. Based on reviews in this thread I am looking forward to seeing Kaleigh. 

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 1/21/25 at 5:52pm

Right, I'm still going tonight and a thought occurred to me in regards to Natalie Ellis' point about people need to be reasonable about actors missing shows. 

I was originally supposed to see Death Becomes Her the day after Thanksgiving and was super excited at having a front row seat, but ultimately stayed home because I got a horrible ear infection. In the context of me not even being able to show up when I had to do was sit in a chair, asking actors to actually perform when sick is nuts.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 11:35am

Megan and Jenn out of the matinee today

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 1:56pm

They each seem to be missing quite a few performances. I'm seeing the show this weekend for the first time and really hoping they are both back. I'm a big Simard fan and find her comedic choices to be next level so I'll be pretty disappointed to miss her. However, it sounds like the understudies are doing a stellar job stepping in which is always great to hear. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 2:13pm

WldKingdomHM said: "Megan and Jenn out of the matinee today"

With both of their understudies also in the ensemble, it then forces their only two female swings on to cover Kaleigh and Natalie's tracks. Any other females being out then causes split tracks. When AEA had national swing day, swings around Broadway stirred things up saying Broadway shows need more coverage. I hope DBH adds more swings soon, especially since it appears this show will be around awhile.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 2:45pm

An actual cast member of the show responded directly to your previous demand for more swings (which you didn't acknowledge or respond to). Do you think you know better than she does?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 3:58pm

MemorableUserName said: "An actual cast member of the show responded directly to your previous demand for more swings (which you didn't acknowledge or respond to). Do you think you know better than she does?"

Im not sure what she said (which was about canceled performances) had to do with a show not staffing their cast effectively with enough Swings to not have to abuse Split Tracks. That is not a knock against anybody in the cast or working in the theatre for the decisions of producers attempting to save every penny they don't want to pay. Just because a show is not canceled does not mean there are not problems and that a cast is not overworked beyond what they should be. I'm sure the cast member who posted would echo that fact. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 4:08pm

They need to add standby positions for the two lead roles, a la Wicked.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 4:23pm

MemorableUserName said: "An actual cast member of the show responded directly to your previous demand for more swings (which you didn't acknowledge or respond to). Do you think you know better than she does?"

I've been a swing in several shows back in my day, I feel it's adequate to address the fact that a show of this size needs more swings. Or, which was just mentioned, that possibly the two leads should have a standby each.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 5:20pm

You've also been so factually wrong in this very thread that an actual cast member in the show was compelled to call you out on it. Rather than acknowledge your error and sharing of false information, as anyone with any self-awareness and humility would have done, you're simply grinding away at that same ax that is really about you and not about this show. Yes, covers, and more of them, are a good thing. It's just hard to take you seriously when you've already demonstrated you don't necessarily know what you're talking about with this show.

Updated On: 1/22/25 at 05:20 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 7:38pm

MemorableUserName said: "You've also been so factually wrong in this very thread that an actual cast member in the show was compelled to call you out on it. Rather than acknowledge your error and sharing of false information, asanyone with any self-awareness and humility would have done, you're simply grinding away at that same ax that is really about you and not about this show.Yes, covers, and more of them, are a good thing.It's just hard to take you seriously when you've already demonstrated you don't necessarily know what you're talking about with this show."

that's nice...

both Hitly and Simard are out again tonight. this show can't hire more swings fast enough. this flu season lasts through March followed by allergy season. get those newly hired swings rehearsed ASAP.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 9:03pm

MemorableUserName said: "You've also been so factually wrong in this very thread that an actual cast member in the show was compelled to call you out on it. Rather than acknowledge your error and sharing of false information, asanyone with any self-awareness and humility would have done, you're simply grinding away at that same ax that is really about you and not about this show.Yes, covers, and more of them, are a good thing.It's just hard to take you seriously when you've already demonstrated you don't necessarily know what you're talking about with this show."

Seems weird to hyper fixate on one aspect of a statement and ignore the broader intent if we're gonna talk about people ignoring posts...

[Marlothom]

Posted: 1/22/25 at 9:34pm

To live in the universe where Sunset Blvd. was delayed by a few years and Nicole Scherzinger stayed on with Death Becomes.  I have a feeling her Viola would have SERRRVVED all of the campiness I need.