Hilty & Simard to lead DEATH BECOMES HER in Chicago spring 2024; Broadway in the fall — Page 15

I’m not advocating for the opening song to be cut, but I feel like if it’s something in the vein of the Little Shop of Horrors opening or something, it could still work a little bit better. It goes a very Beetlejuice route by having a prominent character give us an introduction about the theme and idea of the show, with use of the ensemble to build dramatic choral moments and stage pictures. I still think it could work. Or, it could start with the thunder and lightning and a few of the ominous notes, followed by a Viola voiceover of “I have a secret you would die for”, then a full-length overture to blend itself well into the Gaze number… very akin to the film’s opening theme and main title sequence. If they decide to keep the song, it might actually work a little bit better than the “Siempre Viva” number currently in its place, which is directed to Madeline. That would make the opening number NOW a more uptempo climax song to Madeline, much like a “Poor Unfortunate Souls” moment.

Then, move “Siempre Viva” to Act Two where the Rejuvenation Ball can be a prelude of sorts to the full song? Since there’s already a “Siempre Viva” reprise from what I recall when Viola is demonstrating the option to Ernest. Then maybe they could even keep or add more verses for Madeline and Helen to serenade Ernest?

I thought the score was pretty solid and it all works in the moment. I don't think the songs for William's totally are working but that could be just the whole staging and stuff. But I loved all of Hilty's songs and the duet with them at the end is fantastic. 

MrsSallyAdams said: "Balcony Club: How much as the score changed over the course of previews? What songs are audiences responding most to? How is the new duet, "Hit Me Like You Mean It" going over?

I think the women need a proper duet in act one to flesh out their relationship."

If there are changes to the score, they are seamless, though the killer electric guitar used in the exit music may be new. Sunday night's show was much louder than usual, perhaps to clearly promote wedding sponsor OSCAR MAYER - I wish I was an Oscar Mayer weiner.

In one company front Ensemble moment, the ripple movement from the center that fanned out to either side has been replaced by more unison movement.

Audiences are definitely responding to FOR THE GAZE and the new Act 2 duet HIT ME LIKE YOU MEAN IT.  HIT ME is a fast-paced shovel duet. Mucho fun. Helen was shot a few moments earlier, and costume designer Paul Tazewell will need to figure out how to make sure the holes in Helen's front torso and back torso align.

I could have done without the scream of MICHELLE! Sunday night during one of Viola's numbers.

Updated On: 5/13/24 at 02:56 PM

I think Madeline should be arguing with Ernest at the top of the stairs and then fall down by accident. That way Ernest isn't a murderer who gets off in the end.

I did not realize there was an Ensemble member missing Tuesday evening until Act 2. Were they missing all night?

It was one of the two nuns in the final scene. Earlier, the waltz scene was missing a twosome. In one dancing chorus line, there was an empty space. Hope they are ok.

In Act 1, Stephan has earned the scrotum line. “Which one of us is she talking about?” This previously had been an Ernest question. The scene is now played in FRONT of the couch instead of behind.

When we first see Madeline’s mansion, the direction has reversed the entrances of Ernest and Stephan. A few new lines have been added.

Earlier, In Madeline’s dressing room, Stephan adds that Mad’s mom was ok posing with the cutout.

Ernest’s day included an anal bleaching instead of a man boob consultation.

The red boxed gift includes an invitation and a note. In earlier performances, it was an invitation and a card.

The worst line of the show needs fixed. After Viola is escorted down a short staircase, the four, silver candelabras light up, and she says, “You’re Welcome.”

Crickets.

At the hospital, Viola briefly danced with a pair of resuscitation paddles amongst the Ensemble. 

Helen usually drapes her red dress over Ernest’s head at the end of LET’S RUN AWAY TOGETHER, but that move was absent.

Admittedly, I could never place the performer during the bows who acknowledges the audience after Josh Lamon but before Taureen Everett.

I still don’t know the mystery name, but he has a new bow that immediately tells the audience “I’m the one who tumbled down the stairs.”

The sound is top notch for this show. You hear doors creak, Ernest’s yell when he falls, and clear lyrics over the score. Well done.

Little Caesar’s pizza pizza - was tonight’s wedding sponsor.

 

 

“That’s Warren Yang."  

Aha! Thank you.

DEATH BECOMES HER Will Open at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre This Fall (broadwayworld.com)

Again, I say it REALLY isn't Michelle that's the problem, it's her material. The character is way too overwritten and I know they're not going to cut it down but they really should. 

 

They didn’t waste any time. I already got an email with the presale info.

I really love that they’re making changes every day, but I do think they probably could have probably waited an extra few months and done a bit more work. That said, I’ll definitely go see it again in NYC (and I’m trying to figure out if I can make it back to Chicago before it closes).

It’s too bad they aren’t able to get a different Viola. Michelle sounds amazing, but the acting just isn’t there. The material for Viola needs some work, but I don’t think anything will help her. Love the rest of the cast though and I’m excited to see it after they’re even more settled into their characters.

Jordan Catalano said: "Again, I say it REALLY isn't Michelle that's the problem, it's her material. The character is way too overwritten and I know they're not going to cut it down but they really should.

"

I totally disagree. She’s not a good actress and she can’t play “sexy” and she can’t walk in heels. It’s a pretty simple role. She’s just not able to elevate what she’s given. I think they’d be smart to cut her part down and just make it a cameo. Don’t have her open the show. I think her act 2 opening song works. But she doesn’t seem in on the joke in anyway. But maybe by the fall she will have mastered walking in heels and it not looking awkward. 

This is first solo outing for Universal Theatrical Group on broadway. No co-producers, no outside investors. I think there’s a lot riding on that and Universal definitely wants what Disney has, perhaps even their own space on broadway. Hopefully this is a success for them. They originally wanted to bring in Prince of Egypt as their first solo venture, but that flopped in London.