Michelle Williams is coming alive in 'Death Becomes Her' on Broadway
The singer and actress, best known as a member of the girl group Destiny's Child, returns to the stage in a musical adaptation of a beloved '90s movie.
If you're in the market for nostalgia, the new Broadway musical Death Becomes Her is to die for. Not only is the show an adaptation of a cult classic 1992 film, but one of its stars is a certified '90s icon: Michelle Williams.
She's best known as one third of the former R&B girl group Destiny's Child, alongside Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. But she's also a Broadway veteran who's appeared in Chicago, Aida, and Once on This Island. Now, she stars as Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a magical secret. Viola possesses an elixir of eternal youth, which she gives to feuding frenemies Madeline Ashton (Megan Hilty, in Meryl Streep's film role) and Helen Sharp (Jennifer Simard, in Goldie Hawn's) in their quest to keep outdoing each other forever. And ever.
Williams — skin glowing even under the harsh fluorescent lights of the rehearsal room during Death Becomes Her's press day — looks like she herself possesses the secret to eternal beauty. But she said it's performing that makes her feel alive, and she hopes Death Becomes Her has the same effect on audiences come its October 19 Broadway premiere at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. With plenty of comic moments and staging by director/choreographer Christopher Gattelli (known for other sprightly musicals like Newsies and The Cher Show), it's sure to.
Read our full interview to learn more from Williams about Death Becomes Her — including which Destiny's Child member is the biggest fan of the movie.
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What was your first exposure to Death Becomes Her?
I saw the movie, I don't know, late '90s — I was a senior in high school. Then maybe once or twice in the 2000s, and then, of course, [rewatching] it for this show.
So you're a longtime fan!
A close friend of mine knows this movie from top to bottom. That close friend is Kelly Rowland. She knows every line; she's like, "Oh my gosh. Are they gonna do the hole in the stomach [in the musical]?"
I'm like, "Girl, I cannot wait for you to just come to opening night." I'm really excited for friends and family [whose] minds exploded when they found out this was coming to Broadway.
We can't wait for all the iconic movie moments, but what makes the musical different from the movie?
Almost any stage version of a movie highlights or amplifies [aspects of the movie]. This Death Becomes Her musical amplifies the comedy even more. Megan Hilty? Hilarious. Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber [as Ernest Menville] — I tell them all the time, when I watch the three of them, they're a masterclass in comedy.
What makes this story work as a musical?
The story itself is still relevant. It's going to be relevant for ages to come because everyone is obsessed in some way with beauty or the aging process.
This show may have "death" in the name, but what about performing makes you feel alive?
The impact that it has on audiences — somebody can come in having a bad day, and they leave saying, "Wow." They maybe laugh. And not to bring the mood down, but you never know what people are going through. So the fact that arts and entertainment can be used to uplift people, I'm here for it.
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Top image credit: Michelle Williams. (Photo by Cyndi Brown)
In-article image credit: Death Becomes Her in Chicago. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
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