NewsDeath Becomes Her Musical, Starring Kristin Chenoweth in Meryl Streep Role, in the WorksThe Tony and Emmy winner will star as the self-centered and age-obsessed Broadway star Madeline in a stage adaptation of the 1992 comedy.
By
Ryan McPhee
December 13, 2017
Kristin Chenoweth and Meryl Streep in Death Becomes HerUniversal Pictures
Kristin Chenoweth has been tapped to take on one of Meryl Streep’s most iconic comedic roles (aptly, a Broadway star) for the stage. The Tony and Emmy winner is attached to play Madeline in a musical adaptation of Death Becomes Her from Universal Theatrical Group.
A spokesperson for Universal Theatrical Group confirmed there is no creative team—including a composer, book writer, or director—attached to the project at this time.
The 1992 comedy, written by David Koepp and Martin Donovan, depicts the rivalry of Broadway star Madeline and writer Helen (played on screen by Goldie Hawn). What begins as a feud over a man (while backstage at an absurd musical adaptation of Sweet Bird of Youth titled Songbird!) turns into a nightmare filled with tumbles down stairs, a youth-preserving potion, and gaping stomachs.
Chenoweth last appeared on the Broadway stage in 2016 in her solo concert, My Love Letter to Broadway. The year prior, she earned a Tony nomination for her leading performance in On the Twentieth Century. Her additional stage credits include Wicked, Promises, Promises, and a Tony-winning turn in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She is known on screen for Pushing Daisies (for which she earned an Emmy), Glee, GCB, and, most recently, American Gods.
UTG is currently represented on Broadway with the long-running Wicked; their additional titles include the musical adaptations of Billy Elliot, Bring It On, and Holiday Inn.
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From Sally to Glinda: Celebrating Tony Award Winner Kristin Chenoweth
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61 PHOTOS
Kristin Chenoweth in Steel Pier
Liz Larsen, Kristin Chenoweth and Malcolm Gets in A New Brain.
Roger Bart and Kristin Chenoweth in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Carol Rosegg
Kristin Chenoweth in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Kristin Chenoweth and cast in the recording studio for You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
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Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Tudyk in Epic Proportions
Kristin Chenoweth in Wicked
Carole Shelley and Kristin Chenoweth in Wicked
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in Wicked
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Kristin Chenoweth in Candide
Kristin Chenoweth in Candide
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Kristin Chenoweth in The Apple Tree
Christopher Fitzgerald, Kevin Chamberlin and Kristin Chenoweth in Stairway to Paradise
Christopher Fitzgerald, Kristin Chenoweth and Kevin Chamberlin in Stairway to Paradise
Kevin Chamberlin and Kristin Chenoweth in Stairway to Paradise
The cast of "Pushing Daisies" (l.-r.): Swoosie Kurtz, Ellen Greene, Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth and Chi McBride.
Photo by ABC
Kristin Chenoweth on "Pushing Daisies"
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Ryan Silverman and Kristin Chenoweth in Music in the Air
Ryan Silverman, Kristin Chenoweth, Sierra Boggess and Douglas Sills in Music in the Air
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Tony Goldwyn and Kristin Chenoweth in Promises, Promises
Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth in Promises, Promises
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