The curtain rises. A sharp, melodic chord strikes. Suddenly, you aren't just watching a promotional clip; you’re being dragged into a neon-pink and emerald-green world of vanity, violence, and very long lifespans. Honestly, when I first heard they were turning the 1992 Robert Zemeckis film into a musical, I was skeptical. Cult classics are dangerous territory. If you mess up the tone, the fans will eat you alive. But then the Death Becomes Her Broadway trailer dropped, and the vibe shifted instantly.
It isn't just about the special effects. It's the sheer, unadulterated camp of it all.
Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard aren't just playing Madeline and Helen; they are reclaiming them. The trailer gives us a glimpse into the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, where this macabre masterpiece has set up shop. You see the feathers. You see the rhinestones. Most importantly, you see that the "magic potion" aesthetic has been translated from 90s CGI into something that feels tangible, tactile, and incredibly expensive.
What the Death Becomes Her Broadway trailer reveals about the adaptation
There’s a specific moment in the footage where the lighting turns that eerie, radioactive violet. That’s the signal. If you know the movie, you know exactly what’s about to happen. But the stage version does something the film couldn't—it uses live choreography to simulate the "undead" physics of bodies that shouldn't be moving.
Christopher Gattelli’s choreography, as teased in the snippets, looks athletic and jagged. It’s a far cry from the standard jazz hands of a typical midtown revival. You’ve got ensemble members moving with a sort of stiff, doll-like precision that perfectly mirrors the theme of plastic surgery gone wrong.
People were worried about the "neck" scene. You know the one. Meryl Streep’s head facing the wrong way? It’s iconic. The Death Becomes Her Broadway trailer doesn't give away the full technical secret—why would it?—but it shows enough of the physical comedy to prove that Hilty is leaning into the slapstick. Her comedic timing is surgical. She’s playing Madeline Ashton not as a Streep imitation, but as a Broadway diva who has spent too many years in the chorus and finally found a way to stay center stage forever.
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The trailer also introduces us to the "new" Lisle Von Rhuman. In the movie, Isabella Rossellini was a mysterious, draped-in-jewelry enigma. On stage, Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child fame, not the Dawson's Creek Michelle) takes on the role of the potion-peddling socialite. The trailer highlights her entrance, and let's just say, the costume department deserves a raise. It’s pure, high-fashion sorcery.
The music you didn't hear coming
Most trailers for new musicals are terrified of showing too much of the score. They usually stick to a generic, high-energy orchestral swell. This one? It actually lets the lyrics breathe a bit. The songwriting team of Julia Mattison and Noel Carey has managed to capture that specific 90s dark comedy wit.
It’s fast. It’s wordy. It’s biting.
One thing that stands out is the vocal contrast between the two leads. Jennifer Simard has this incredible, deadpan belt that makes Helen’s descent into madness feel earned. When she’s on screen in the trailer, clutching that shovel, you aren't thinking about Goldie Hawn. You’re thinking about a woman who has been pushed to the edge and decided to jump because she knows she won't die when she hits the bottom.
Why this isn't just another movie-to-musical cash grab
Broadway is currently littered with adaptations of 80s and 90s movies. Some work, some... well, some close in three weeks. The reason the Death Becomes Her Broadway trailer is generating so much organic buzz is that the source material was always secretly a musical. Think about it. The heightened reality, the over-the-top costumes, the literal "diva" protagonist—it was built for the stage.
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The trailer leans into the "pre-Broadway" success in Chicago. It’s a smart move. They want you to know that the show has already been "road-tested" and that the audiences at the Cadillac Palace Theatre were losing their minds. By the time the Broadway footage rolls, you’re already primed to believe the hype.
I noticed a small detail in the background of the "purgatory" scenes. The set design by Derek McLane is incredibly layered. It doesn't look like a flat backdrop. There are depths and shadows that suggest the house Madeline and Ernest live in is just as decaying as their relationship. It’s a nice touch that the trailer highlights—showing that the production value matches the $160 ticket price.
A breakdown of the "look"
- The Potion Glow: The way the production uses LED technology to simulate the glowing elixir is surprisingly effective on film.
- The Wardrobe: Paul Tazewell (the genius behind the Hamilton costumes) has outdone himself here. The transition from "aging starlet" drab to "immortal icon" glam is vivid.
- The Ernest Factor: Christopher Sieber as Ernest Menville is the unsung hero of the footage. He’s the anchor. While the women are flying around being immortal, he’s the sweaty, panicked heart of the show.
It’s actually quite funny how much of the trailer is dedicated to the rivalry. We see the push, the shove, and the "I have a hole in my stomach" realization. It’s clear the production isn't shying away from the body horror. They’re just making it fabulous.
Navigating the transition from screen to stage
Is it weird to see a hole through someone's stomach on a live stage? Sorta. But the Death Becomes Her Broadway trailer makes it look like a magic trick.
The industry talk around the Lunt-Fontanne suggests that the "stomach hole" effect is one of the most guarded secrets in theater right now. In the trailer, they cut away just before you can see how the rig works. It’s classic marketing. They give you the "what" but hide the "how," forcing you to buy a ticket to solve the mystery.
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And then there's the humor. The trailer features a few snippets of dialogue that feel fresh. They haven't just copied the screenplay word-for-word. They’ve updated the barbs for a 2020s audience while keeping the 1990s "Beverly Hills" excess intact. It’s a delicate balance. Go too modern, and you lose the nostalgia. Stay too old-school, and it feels dusty.
What fans are getting wrong about the plot changes
There’s been some chatter online about whether the ending has been changed. Based on the trailer, the "eternal" nature of their feud is still the driving force. However, there’s a hint of a larger musical "finale" that involves more than just the two leads. The trailer shows a massive company number that looks like a celebration of the undead.
Honestly, it’s about time. The movie ends on a somewhat lonely note for the two women. The musical seems to be leaning into the idea of a "community" of the immortal, which opens up the stage for some massive, show-stopping dance sequences.
Practical steps for getting tickets and seeing the show
If the trailer has convinced you that you need to see this, don't wait. Cult following shows tend to sell out their "preview" periods fast because the hardcore fans want to be the first to see the effects.
- Check the Official Site First: Avoid the third-party resellers who mark up prices by 400%. The official Broadway site for the show usually has a direct link to the primary seller (like Ticketmaster or SeatGeek).
- Look for Mid-Week Matinees: If you want to see Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard without paying a month's rent, Wednesday matinees are your best bet.
- The Digital Lottery: Most big shows like this run a digital lottery. You won't know if you’ve won until the day before, but if you do, you’re looking at $40 to $50 tickets. It’s worth the gamble.
- The Lunt-Fontanne Layout: This is an old house. If you’re sitting in the far sides of the mezzanine, you might miss some of the "trick" choreography. Try to stay as central as possible to get the full effect of the optical illusions teased in the trailer.
Keep an eye on the official social media channels. They often release "behind-the-scenes" clips that expand on what you saw in the Death Becomes Her Broadway trailer, showing how the actors prepare for the physical toll of playing "dead" characters.
The production is a marathon, not a sprint. The energy required to belt while wearing a neck brace or acting with a "hole" in your torso is immense. Seeing the trailer makes you realize that this isn't just a play—it’s a feat of engineering and endurance. Go for the nostalgia, but stay for the sheer theatrical audacity. It’s a rare thing to see a trailer that actually captures the soul of a show without giving away all its ghosts.