CHICAGO (CBS) — It’s an over-the-top musical that brings some of Broadway’s brightest stars to Chicago for its world premiere.
The stars of ‘Death Becomes Her’ sit down with CBS 2 to talk about their campy, glitzy musical that gives life to the perils of pursuing eternal youth.
The flashy farce features powerful performances: youth-obsessed enemies Madeline, an actress played by Megan Hilty, and Helen, played by Jennifer Simard.
Rockford’s own Grammy-winning Michelle Williams is a mysterious woman who seduces them with a magical elixir of youth with horrifying and hilarious side effects.
The to-die-for musical makes its Broadway debut this fall, but Chicagoans can watch the preview at the Cadillac Palace Theater through June 2.
It is based on the 1992 film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. Hilty said the film is one of her all-time favorites.
“It’s one of my top three favorites of all time,” Hilty said. “I’m so excited for people to experience this script and this score. It’s just so smart.”
Broadway in Chicago
“To be chosen to be one of them is really a pinch-me thing. Let’s face it,” Simard said. “Let me just give a shout-out to Noel Carey and Julia Mattison, our composer and lyricist. I’m so excited to be on the ground floor of what they’ve done.”
The film relied heavily on CGI and special effects. How do the actors do on stage?
“There’s a lot of magic in the show,” Hilty said. “I know a lot of people will come and watch us punch a hole in one lady and turn another lady’s head. How do you not do that?”
“What an exciting life I lead. Honestly. Who gets to do this? It turns out to be me,” said Simard.
What does the show say about the search for eternal youth?
“The show really questions how far you are willing to go in pursuit of the idea of perfection,” Hilty said.
