Wicked smashes records, while 'Death Becomes Her' dazzles Broadway
This week, global media outlets are abuzz with the record-breaking box office success of the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical "Wicked." Meanwhile, on Broadway, the adaptation of the film "Death Becomes Her" is also celebrating its success.
11:02 AM EST, November 25, 2024
"Wicked" earned $114 million in U.S. theaters during its premiere weekend, making it the most successful Broadway adaptation launch in history. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2003 and has been performed for over 20 years. This week, the renowned English-language theater center introduced a new title, the musical "Death Becomes Her."
Movie enthusiasts surely remember this title well. Robert Zemeckis' black comedy featuring a star-studded cast (Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Isabella Rossellini) was one of the biggest hits in 1992. The film won an Oscar for special effects, and as noted in one of the film's new reviews, "it ages remarkably well, unlike its main characters."
Considering Hollywood trends, it's surprising that "Death Becomes Her" has not had a film remake in over 30 years. Unexpectedly, however, it has received a musical adaptation on Broadway.
The musical "Death Becomes Her" premiered on Broadway on November 21 and achieved spectacular success. It exemplifies the profitability of theater in New York. During its premiere weekend, it earned $1.2 million. The musical was, of course, performed in a single location (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre), where it sold out all shows, garnering rave reviews ("comedy of the year," "brilliant script"), and promises to have a long life on Broadway. The lead roles are played by Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams.
