to Broadway has been an incredible joy, and we are immensely proud of every artist, musician, crew member, and individual who helped make this show what it is. Night after night, it has been a thrill to watch audiences come together to laugh, celebrate, and embrace the wildly entertaining spirit of this production. We are deeply proud of what this show has brought into the world, and we are excited for its life to continue as it tours across the U.S. and beyond in the years ahead...”In January 2026, many Broadway experts began to note that grosses for Death Becomes Her were loosing potency. Most people believed that the show would rebound; after all, it was on the way to becoming a long runner. But it is an expensive show to run, many mused; how much could they really afford to lose?
Not much.
Many asked what happened. Some pointed out the challenging landscape that musicals are currently facing currently. Indeed, it does seem that producers are much more wary of launching an expensive new musical, preferring to go with shows that are known to the audience or plays that are cheaper to produce.
Another reason might be the loss of a principal actor. Meghan Hilty, who originated the role of Madeline, left the show on January 11, 2026. While her replacement, Betsy Wolfe, was greeted warmly by fans and the community, something had changed.
That something was the chemistry between the leads. Jennifer Simard, who plays Helen, and Wolfe had a fun connection. However, the show was sold on the chemistry between Simard and Hilty. Something that could not be replicated.
. . .And it appears as if the producers of Death Becomes Her knew that they wanted to balance the show on the leads' chemistry with one another. There were two iconic performers that they wanted to take the leads. Two women who are considered Broadway royalty.
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.
That's right, the original Glinda and Elphaba. Chenoweth has acknowledged that she workshopped the show and was set to take on the role of Madeline.
But she decided to work with Stephen Schwartz on The Queen of Versailles, instead. That show opened and quickly closed after negative reviews and tepid ticket sales.
Would Death Becomes Her have done better with Chenoweth and Menzel in the lead roles? The answer is not as simple as one would expect it to be.
Ticket sales would have likely been through the roof. It would have been the first time since Wicked that the ladies had starred together in an original Broadway musical. Separately, they are a draw, but together the women would have broken records without a doubt.
Some naysayers would argue that The Queen of Versailles and Redwood show that the audience has turned away from the divas. But that only takes into account star power, not the shows themselves.
Look at the reaction to the announcement that they would cameo in Wicked Part One. Everyone went wild. Fans were ecstatic about them coming back.
Even Universal, the studio behind the musical and movies, leaned into the excitement about their return to the world of Oz. They were featured in Wicked: One Night Only, alongside Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the stars of the film.
Why would Death Becomes Her be the right vehicle for them?
. . .Death Becomes Her is based on the 1992 Meryl Streep/Goldie Hawn/Bruce Willis comedy. It would become a cult classic beloved by the fans. The story revolves around a female friendship that is highly competitive. Sound familiar? There are a lot of similarities between Death Becomes Her and Wicked.
Female friendship being at the heart of the story.
Some have described the show as Wicked grows up. Madeline and Helen are through college and entrenched in careers and a relationship.
That relationship happens to be with the same man. But what would a musical be without a love triangle as the story engine? And in this case, Ernest is quite the catch.
What would be better than Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel reuniting? Bring on Norbert Leo Butz as Ernest. It would complete the Wicked love triangle and would have been a lot of fun to watch play out on the stage.
Will you see Death Becomes Her before it closes on Broadway?
on Jun 06, 2026 9:15 AM by Jonathan Wells
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