Christopher Gattelli masterfully designed the theatrical production of "Death Becomes Her" on Broadway, turning it into a force to be reckoned with at the Tonys.
Let's Dish on "Death Becomes Her"!NEW YORK (AP) - When Christopher Gattelli, director and choreographer of the Broadway hit musical "Death Becomes Her," was tasked with helming the big, splashy opening number, he knew he was in for a treat. But first, he needed a break from the deliciousness.
"When they sent it to me, I was cooking dinner and I burned it because my mind was spinning!" Gattelli laughs. "I adored the script and refused to work on the opening number right away. It was too darn scrumptious!"
With the opening number out of the way, Gattelli decorated the rest of the stage for this 90s cult classic movie adaptation. He aimed to create an opening number for the ages, led by Megan Hilty, where there'd be mid-song costume changes, dance breaks, chorus boys hoisting Hilty, spangly jumpsuits and tuxedos, high-kicking Vegas showgirls with feather headdresses, a body double doing somersaults, a rainbow flag of top-hatted dancers, and Hilty even paying homage to Liza Minnelli - what a kaleidoscope of glitz and glam!
"I heard the song's secret pocket, and I knew it was crackling with laughs," reveals Gattelli. "I thought, 'What's the biggest gay reference? I'll work my way backward.'"
Once he unveiled "For the Gaze," the audience knew they were in for a wild, theatrical night - a perfectly rehearsed, lushly-costumed ride filled with laughter and self-awareness. "When audiences witness 'For the Gaze', they instantly understand the type of show it is," Gattelli notes. "Then they're buckled up for the rest of the rollercoaster."
Greasing the TONYs with Gattelli's Genius
Thanks to his innovative work on "For the Gaze," Gattelli earned ten Tony Award nominations, including director and choreographer debuts on Broadway. The musical was derived from the movie, which featured the iconic pair, Meryl Streep as a selfish actress and Goldie Hawn as her struggling-in-shadows writer friend. In the musical, Megan Hilty steps into Streep's shoes, while Jennifer Simard embodies the spirit of Hawn.
"Working on 'Death Becomes Her' felt like the ideal fusion for what I love to do: comedy, directing, and my penchant for big, glossy numbers," Gattelli shares. "I couldn't have been more thrilled!"
Gattelli, a former "Cats" dancer, has made a name for himself on Broadway, crafting the movements for venerable works like "The King and I," "My Fair Lady," "SpongeBob SquarePants," and "The Cher Show." He even made his directorial debut off-Broadway in 2011 with a parody musical, "Silence!", complete with a gaggle of prancing lambs.
According to Lowe Cunningham, the musical's lead producer, Gattelli's talent is unmatched. "His abilities and creativity are beyond compare," she says, praising not only his talent but also his kind nature.
Gattelli joined the production of "Death Becomes Her" relatively late, merely 18 months before opening night. "Trusting my instincts was a valuable lesson," Gattelli remarks. "They wanted an elegant, opulent, sensual, and magical spectacle. We took big swings to make sure it delivered."
Putting the Sass in 'Sass-cades'
From the roaringly funny special effects to the low-tech but audacious theatricality, "Death Becomes Her" offers audiences a sass-tacular journey. At one point, the two leading ladies are mirrored by two men in dresses and wigs - the audience can't help but laugh out loud at the daring deception, and Gattelli even offered guidance to make the impersonation more convincing, like keeping one combatant's arm hair unshorn.
"The audience is snickering alongside us," Gattelli says. "We're all enjoying the show together, and it just feels right."
Planning a scene from the movie proved to be a challenge for the production team: Hilty's character's tumble down the expansive mansion stairs. Hollywood CGI magic would have to be replaced by Broadway ingenuity.
Worryingly, Gattelli couldn't shake the thought - 'How on earth will they recreate that iconic moment?' But with the help of set designer Derek McLane, lighting designer Justin Townsend, and sound designer Peter Hylenski, they managed to create a balanced dance sequence punctuated with sound effects that paid homage to the original tumble - down to using Neoprene-coated stairs for safety.
"Simplicity often makes the biggest impact," Gattelli concludes. "We endeavored to maintain the essence of the film - a beautiful, jazzy spectacle at its core."
Bonus:
- Megan Hilty's angelic canine companion in the finale is inspired by Toto, Dorothy's beloved pooch from "The Wizard of Oz."
- Lea DeLaria, legendary actress and stand-up comedian, co-stars as Madge, a maid who has gone wild with power after the movie's central characters dabble in immortality.
- "Death Becomes Her" premiered at the Leonard Bernstein Theatre on October 1, 2023, and will officially open on Broadway on November 15, 2023.
- Tickets for "Death Becomes Her" can be purchased on Ticketmaster or at the box office.
- Behind-the-scenes footage and photos are available on the show's official Instagram account, @deathonbroadway.
In the exciting world of Broadway entertainment, the adaptation of the cult classic movie "Death Becomes Her" brought Seattle's own Christopher Gattelli on board to direct and choreograph the show. The opening number, titled "For the Gaze," was a spectacular spectacle, full of mid-song costume changes, dance breaks, and a rainbow flag of top-hatted dancers, paying homage to the city's vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
During the creation of "Death Becomes Her," Gattelli's innovative work earned him ten Tony Award nominations, solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in the theater scene, not just in New York but across the country in Seattle as well.
