What's Happening?
The Broadway musical 'Death Becomes Her' is set to end its run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on June 28, after 20 months and over 650 performances. Despite being a strong box office performer during the 2024-2025 season and receiving 10 Tony Award nominations,
the production did not recoup its $31.5 million capitalization. The musical, based on the 1992 Universal Pictures film, features direction and choreography by Christopher Gattelli, with a book by Marco Pennette and an original score by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey. The production stars Betsy Wolfe, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams. Universal Theatrical Group, led by Lowe Cunningham, produced the show.
Why It's Important?
The closure of 'Death Becomes Her' highlights the financial challenges faced by Broadway productions, even those with critical acclaim and strong initial box office performance. The inability to recoup the $31.5 million investment underscores the high financial risks associated with producing large-scale musicals. This situation reflects a broader trend in the industry where many productions struggle to achieve profitability despite popularity and critical success. The show's closure may impact future investment decisions in Broadway productions, as investors may become more cautious about funding high-budget musicals.
What's Next?
Following its Broadway closure, 'Death Becomes Her' will embark on a multi-year North American tour starting in September at Playhouse Square in Cleveland. This tour could provide an opportunity for the production to reach new audiences and potentially improve its financial standing. The success of the tour will be crucial in determining the long-term viability and profitability of the musical. Additionally, the show's performance on tour may influence future adaptations of popular films into stage productions.
