Death Becomes Her - Original Cast Departure Dates

[mitchern]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 12:38pm

It's been 9 months since the show started previews and with rehearsals, etc. I'm assuming some cast members contracts are up or almost up. Do you think we'll get some new leads or see some extensions? 

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:12pm

From what I have been told, Hilty and Simard have extended, but each will scale back to 6 performances per week and each will have a dedicated alternate. Roscioli will be the Madeline alternate. The Helen alternate was cast but not announced (those was recently an alternate for another high profile role). Cronin and Ellis will continue on as the understudies.

They’re building their stable of performers for the upcoming holiday months and also for future productions (including a national tour)

[singer234]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:15pm

Neeeeeed a Laura Bell Bundy Madeline/Kerry Butler Helen combo.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:27pm

Jessica Vosk is high up on my dream Helen replacements list.

[singer234]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:37pm

She would be fabulous. Throw Helene Yorke in as Madeline with her and I'd be there for at least 2 shows a week lol.

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:39pm

Honestly, this show really has already become a cult/camp favorite in and of itself so I think you could probably rotate any number of comedic singing actresses in and out. Having seen 4 different Mad/Hel combos over 6 trips, unless you can’t hold a note or land a joke, it seems like they are roles that are hard to mess up.

Additionally, I could see the Viola track being a good temptation for star casting since it’s basically 20-25 minutes of stage time, 3-4 songs, and gorgeous gowns. It just needs someone to hit it, quit it, and look good doing it. I could see someone like Brandy or Deborah Cox going in for the Broadway production or national tour. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 1:58pm

The 2 principal roles are extensively physically demanding, as it’s been proven by the 2 current leads, and I’m sure it’s deterring any actress who is on many dream lists from accepting any offer if presented. There’s way much more involved than having a killer singing voice and crazy perfect comic chops. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 2:36pm

Robyn Hurder keeps getting brought up as a replacement for Hilty. Caroline Bowman as the Madeline alternate would be wild.

 

Kolton Krouse is the only OBC to announce their final date.

[matineeidol2591]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 3:01pm

Interesting on the Helen alternate...Kara Lindsay? Jessica Phillips? Caroline Bowman? This feels like the crop of women who stood by for big roles in the 24/25 season. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 5:42pm

matineeidol2591 said: "Interesting on the Helen alternate...Kara Lindsay? Jessica Phillips? Caroline Bowman? This feels like the crop of women who stood by for big roles in the 24/25 season."

Kara Lindsay finished her cancer treatment in June, that would be incredible! 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 7:17pm

ElephantLoveMedley said: "Jessica Vosk is high up on my dream Helen replacements list."

But would this show be “too cheap” to afford her 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 7:24pm

Robyn Hurder would be a great Madeline Ashton. 

Vanessa Williams would be a great Viola Van Horn. 

[HaveAGoodShow]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 8:51pm

Robyn Hurder isn’t exactly known for her comedic chops, and she’s never tackled anything close to the tone or scale of Death Becomes Her. It's also worth noting that she couldn’t move tickets for Smash, so what would make producers think she’s the right fit for a show this massive? Beyond Broadway circles, her name simply doesn’t carry weight.

While it’ll likely never happen, the dream casting would be Annaleigh Ashford and Sutton Foster—alternating roles, True West-style. Now that would sell.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 8:55pm

HaveAGoodShow said: "Robyn Hurder isn’t exactly known for her comedic chops, and she’s never tackled anything close to the tone or scale of Death Becomes Her. It's also worth noting that she couldn’t move tickets for Smash, so what would make producers think she’s the right fit for a show this massive? Beyond Broadway circles, her name simply doesn’t carry weight.

While it’ll likely never happen, the dream casting would be Annaleigh Ashford and Sutton Foster—alternating roles, True West-style. Now that would sell."

I don't believe anyone in this show is what's moving tickets besides Michelle Williams. 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 9:26pm

Rachel York and Stephanie Block

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 10:01pm

Betsy Wolfe as Madeline, Leslie Kritzer as Helen- I will die on this hill. I would also accept Laura Benanti as Madeline. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 10:33pm

Bella Coppola (Madeline) & Kritzer (Hellen) 

and an an actual actress who sings in Williams role 

Updated On: 7/29/25 at 10:33 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/29/25 at 11:31pm

JSquared2 said: "Robyn Hurder would be a great Madeline Ashton.

Vanessa Williams would be a great Viola Van Horn."

robyn no vanessa yes but we won't see it!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 7:23am

we'll probably get Deborah Cox as Viola down the road.

[MezzoDiva47]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 7:29am

quizking101 said: "From what I have been told, Hilty and Simard have extended, but each will scale back to 6 performances per week and each will have a dedicated alternate.

 

good

this is what should have happened in the first place

but it took a public megan hilty vocal injury to force their hand

another example of producers risking the health of actors for the bottom line



They’re building their stable of performers for the upcoming holiday months and also for future productions (including a national tour)"

 

for the latter it will depend on how cheap they make the national tour

while the shows ticket sales have been doing rather well in these summer tourist months the $30+ million broadway capitalization means that their producers will be anxious to make a profit sooner on the tour

if they go with an insultingly low tier like outsiders and hells kitchen expect a bunch of 2025-2026 college grads for the ensemble and severely restricted diva menu options for the leads

which eliminates most of the names mentioned on this thread

ps - i did enjoy the show and it is one of the very few success stories from this past season


MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

 

[Crusty Bagel]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 7:33am

Lesli margherita going into the show seems inevitable 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:35am

MezzoDiva47 said: "quizking101 said: "From what I have been told, Hilty and Simard have extended, but each will scale back to 6 performances per week and each will have a dedicated alternate.



good

this is what should have happened in the first place

but it took a public megan hilty vocal injury to force their hand

another example of producers risking the health of actors for the bottom line



They’re building their stable of performers for the upcoming holiday months and also for future productions (including a national tour)"



for the latter it will depend on how cheap they make the national tour

while the shows ticket sales have been doing rather well in these summer tourist months the $30+ million broadway capitalization means that their producers will be anxious to make a profit sooner on the tour

if they go with an insultingly low tier like outsiders and hells kitchen expect a bunch of 2025-2026 college grads for the ensemble and severely restricted diva menu options for the leads

which eliminates most of the names mentioned on this thread

ps - i did enjoy the show and it is one of the very few success stories from this past season


MezzoDiva47 has spoken

bow down accordingly

"

I see this obnoxious screwball is back...

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 8:37am

^They actually made sense this time, tho! 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 9:41am

“Bella Coppola (Madeline) & Kritzer (Hellen)”

 

in what universe is an actress in her 20s good for this role. 

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 7/30/25 at 1:57pm

I continue to pray to the gay Gods for Laura Benanti's Madeline Opposite Leslie Kritzler, Lesli Margherita or Stephanie J Block.