Michelle Williams leaving ' death becomes' May 25th?

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 1:30am

So I saw on another Broadway message board that Michelle Williams was leaving ' death becomes her' May 25th, but can't find that anywhere else. I was just curious if anyone knew if there was any truth to this?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 2:14am

You didn’t link where you saw this, but I believe you may be reading into the initial “on sale through” date as being her final performance. The entire principal cast are on 1 year contracts.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 6:10am

Thank you! I figured there would be an announcement a while ago if she was leaving but wanted to make sure. I'm taking my best friend to see the show soon, he's a big fan of Michelle so I wanted him to get to see her. 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 8:38am

The show's official page on BroadwayDirect (its official ticketing site) lists upcoming planned absences for the leads. It has specific dates in June, July, and August she'll be out, so she'll otherwise be in the show then.

https://broadwaydirect.com/show/death-becomes-her/

"Michelle Williams will not appear in performances June 20-22, July 9–July 11, and August 29–31."

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 10:36am

Michelle is fine but a great replacement with acting chops could be amazing. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 10:39am

Deborah Cox, Alex Newell, and Patina Miller are at the top of my Viola wishlist. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 10:51am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Deborah Cox, Alex Newell, and Patina Miller are at the top of my Viola wishlist."

These would be fabulous. Michelle indeed knows how to make a grand stage entrance and showcase a costume and deliver vocally but then she just ruins the momentum with her book scenes. The role needs to hold its gloriousness any time Viola appears on stage but Michelle just goes thru her moments like following a recipe during her book scenes.  Chew the scenery. You’re on stage for fragments of minutes. You’re not overstepping anyone as they have the entire show to lay it on thick. You only have these few little brief moments to take over so give Viola the spotlight. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 10:56am

BrodyFosse123 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Deborah Cox, Alex Newell, and Patina Miller are at the top of my Viola wishlist."

These would be fabulous. Michelle indeed knows how to make a grand stage entrance and showcase a costume and deliver vocally but then she just ruins the momentum with her book scenes. The role needs to hold its gloriousness any time Viola appears on stage but Michelle just goes thru her moments like following a recipe during her book scenes. Chew the scenery. You’re on stage for fragments of minutes. You’re not overstepping anyone as they have the entire show to lay it on thick. You only have these few little brief moments to take over so give Viola the spotlight."

Anyone with the slightest bit of acting would be an improvement. I was really surprised (at least to me) how Meh she was. I think I would also like someone who could really belt the first song. But have to say, The audience really loved her.

[quizking101]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 11:09am

BrodyFosse123 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Deborah Cox, Alex Newell, and Patina Miller are at the top of my Viola wishlist."

It’s funny you mention Deborah Cox because I saw her at New Hope, PA Pride this past weekend and figured she would fit the role PERFECTLY. She has enough acting skill, great vocals, and turn a look from what is essentially 20-ish minutes of stage time. AND she’s popular with the gays - hence her perpetual commandeering of the Pride Concert circuit for many years.

 

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 11:23am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Deborah Cox, Alex Newell, and Patina Miller are at the top of my Viola wishlist."

Sasha Allen would be great, too...I heard the role was offered to Jordin Sparks, who dropped out of the Chicago run last-minute

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 11:39am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Deborah Cox, Alex Newell, and Patina Miller are at the top of my Viola wishlist."

Alex would be fantastic!  Deborah and Patina aren’t funny and boring,   Some great comedic vocalists, of any ethnicity would be cool as stunt casting.  

[quizking101]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 11:44am

The problem with Alex, in my opinion, is that they tend to get a big head and become disinterested in a show once they get what they want out of it unless they are the center of attention - which this role is not.

At the rate Alex was calling out of OOTI and Shucked after awards buzz died down, it was almost as if they weren’t there to begin with. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 12:23pm

I don't think Alex would accept being a replacement in any Broadway show. I'd love to see Deborah Cox in the role.

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 12:28pm

quizking101 said: "The problem with Alex, in my opinion, is that they tend to get a big headand become disinterested in a show once they get what they want out of it unless they are the center of attention - which this role is not.

At the rate Alex was calling out of OOTI and Shucked after awards buzz died down, it was almost as if they weren’t there to begin with."

I tried three times to see Alex in Shucked. It was Three Strikes and you were out to me. Twice before the Tony and once after. With the track record I have with seeing them I wouldn't be rushing back to see them in anything else.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 12:30pm

No, she isn't leaving three days from now, that would be ridiculous. But, having a performance in which all four leads are on is getting more challenging. This show hasn't gone a full week without any understudies since January. This is such a tourist heavy show that even if the leads are out, people don't have unlimited theater slots or time, that's why the grosses haven't suffered at all. 

Updated On: 5/22/25 at 12:30 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 12:39pm

Renee Elise Goldsberry would be my dream Viola replacement in this- and it doesn't hurt that it looks like Renee took the potion herself.

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 1:57pm

Renee would be wonderful, but this role would be an absolute waste of her gifts (she would make an excellent Madeline, though.) 

Box Office Wise, they'd need someone who is a real, outside-of-broadway name for Viola. It's built for stunt casting - minimal dialogue, maximum attitude, almost entirely sung through. But I'll also say, having seen the show both with and without Michelle, I'll say she really does sell what she's given. This girl can REALLY sing, and that is no small feat in this role. Her vocal placement, her ability to just land those runs cleanly and effortlessly, that insane ping in her tone...that's not something everyone can do. Ximone Rose is great as Viola (and yes, sells the dialogue more convincingly), but she doesn't sing the role half as well, and dang it that's worth something! I remember, at intermission, saying to my date "I feel really bad about all the jokes I've made about Michelle Williams." I then proceeded to spend the next several months making more jokes about Michelle Williams, but that's not the point! The point is...Viola's going to be harder to recast than people think. All four of these roles are. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/22/25 at 2:04pm

I’ve always said the role has Sofia Vergara written all over it.